BLETCHER HOUR | VIRTUAL

Thursdays | 6 - 7 PM
February 11
FREE | LINK TO ACCESS THE VIRTUAL EDITION OF BLETCHER HOUR

For Black History Month, we will read an essay by Audre Lorde, The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action, and a few of her poems, Power and Outlines, from her book Your Silence Will Not Protect You. Join us online Thursday, February 11, from 6 - 7 PM MST over zoom.

Here's an excerpt from the text:

“My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you. But for every real word spoken, for every attempt I had ever made to speak those truths for which I am seeking, I had made contact with other women while we examined the words to fit a world in which we all believed, bridging our differences. And it was the concern and caring of all those women which gave me strength and enabled me to scrutinise the essentials of my living.”

Audre Lorde (February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992) was an American writer, feminist, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist. She was a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet, ” who dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and homophobia.

As a poet, she is best known for technical mastery and emotional expression, as well as her poems that express anger and outrage at civil and social injustices she observed throughout her life. Her poems and prose largely deal with issues related to civil rights, feminism, lesbianism, illness and disability, and the exploration of Black female identity.

The SAAG’s Critical Reading Group, named after our first librarian Hazel Bletcher, gathers online for open discussion on Thursday evenings. Readings explore key themes of the exhibitions and connect with current events, with the intent to deepen our understanding of the artworks and their context within our community. 

A limited run of the Bletcher Hour Reader is published for each exhibition block, that is printed and bound in our Publication Studio, and launched at the opening. Readings are announced in advance and can be emailed by contacting Courtney Faulkner, Public Engagement & Event Coordinator | cfaulkner@saag.ca.