Read-In focuses on first professional post-slavery classicist

The Department of English hosted the 27th Annual African-American Read-In on Monday, Feb. 1, in the Dollye M. Robinson Liberal Arts Building, Room 166.

The Read-In, in conjunction with the National Council of Teachers of English, has a two-fold purpose: to encourage young African-Americans to read and to promote African-American authors. This year’s selected text was “The Autobiography of William Sanders Scarborough: An American Journey from Slavery to Scholarship.”

Scarborough was the first professional classist of African descent, and his work paved the way for many younger scholars of color. In 1881, he made history by publishing a Greek textbook with A.S. Barnes in NYC, proving to the world that Black people also had the ability to master classical languages.

His early years were spent in slavery in Macon, Ga., where he saw Mississippi statesman and Confederate president Jefferson Davis led through the streets of Macon as a prisoner of war. After earning a B.A. and M.A. from Oberlin College, he joined the faculty at Wilberforce as a professor of ancient languages. In addition, he is the first black member of the Modern Language Association, which has given a $1,000 book Prize in his honor since 2001. From 1908-1920 he was president of Wilberforce University and steered the school through the turmoil and vagaries of World War I.

Monica Granderson, an instructor of English at Jackson State and coordinator of the event said, “I had a little over 600 attendees this year. It is important for students to attend this even because they learn a great deal about African-American authors especially with this year’s selection: “The Autobiography of William Sanders Scarborough”. Faculty and students were enlightened by the presence of Dr. Michele Ronnick, professor of Greek and Latin at Wayne State University. She wrote the introduction to the text, and she is a wealth of knowledge on the subject.”

Dr. Kathy Pitts, a visiting professor in the English and modern foreign language department believes that the read-in provided important information for all who attended.

“Although being on the panel, I learned just as much as the students.  I was not aware of much information about William Sanders Scarborough. His works were amazing and he served as a real pioneer for African-Americans studying in the classic Greek world. He was a very smart guy and a fantastic linguist, I enjoyed learning about his biography,” said Pitts.

The first read-in was held on the campus of JSU in 2002 and the components nationwide are to feature a literary work by an African-American writer and to host the event in February.

Jorrie Jones contributed to this story.