The Racial Equity Coalition closes the chapter with the final Community Read event.
By: Taylor Orcutt
The Racial Equity Coalition Social and Community Engagement Committee’s Community Read closed on Oct. 11 with a Zoom event.
The Community Read is intended to encourage Athens County members to engage with the same book to build awareness around racial justice issues.
“Reading is one of the ways that people can expand their world, and then relationships and conversations are another really crucial way,” said John Schmieding, planning committee chair. “The Community Read brings those things together.”
On Aug. 1, the Committee initiated the Community Read. The kickoff event was held at Richland Avenue Park on Aug. 10.
On Oct. 3, the Racial Equity Coalition hosted a Zoom viewing of the film adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees.
The book chosen for the project was the award-winning novel The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. The novel is centered around a 14-year old girl in the 1960s South, her Black caregiver and three women beekeepers. The book explores topics of discrimination, civil rights and feminism through these characters.
Athens High School senior Paavni Rao said,“Reading a book like The Secret Life of Bees allows adults, teenagers and elders to come together and have conversations about race, ethnicity and history.”
Participants ages 13 and older are invited to read and discuss the novel.
The book is available in print and digital formats at all Athens County public libraries.
Out of the Community Read’s 200 Facebook followers, the majority are adults. John Schmieding commented on the importance of high school students participating in projects like Community Reads. “You [students] have so much to contribute...Young people don’t have so many bad habits yet...There’s more room for it to expand.”
The Social and Community Engagement Committee has presented the idea of an annual Community Read. However, no final financial or planning decisions have been made regarding future events.
Those interested in future events or learning more about the Racial Equity Coalition can visit the Athens Foundation website (athensfoundation.org) or visit www.facebook.com/racialequityathensohio/.
Photo Credit: Taylor Orcutt
A brightly painted canvas mural travels to local businesses and organizations to promote the Community Read of Athens County.