What is a One Read?
The One Read for Racial Justice is an annual, collaborative, campus-wide initiative that seeks to raise awareness about racial justice issues, create opportunities for dialogues across difference and discipline, and to promote community. It’s like a giant book club where we all get together to read a common text and then discuss it as a community and plan other events that help deepen our understanding of the book and its themes. The One Read is an initiative led by the library in collaboration with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and alumni across departments and disciplines.
What book are we reading?
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus
This year’s book is “a meditation on love—love of the self, of the family, of the desired, of blackness, of the natural and cosmic worlds, of life itself. Written in the poetics of black vernaculars, it tells the stories of two young women who love each other, the diasporic communities they come from, and the transformational power that is the multilayered blackness between them.” (—Alexis De Veaux, author of Yabo and Warrior Poet, A Biography of Audre Lorde). It is written in a mixture of fiction and prose and explores themes such as love, loss, healing, incarceration, abolition, food, friendship and centers Black, Queer diasporic experiences. Local author, Junauda Petrus is not only an incredible storyteller, but an artist, activist, and playwright.
Where can I get the book?
- Borrow a print copy from St Kate’s or a partner library
- Access the eBook or audiobook for free via the St. Kate’s Library
- Purchase a copy from the St. Kate’s Bookstore
- Purchase a copy from your local, independent bookstore
- Enter to win a copy at one of the events below!
How do I participate?
- Read the book
- Attend an event
- Learn more by exploring our resource guide
- Organize an event or host a discussion
- Integrate the book into your course/work
- Join the planning group
Fall 2023 Event Series
Wednesday, July 26
Faculty/Staff Book Discussion
The Library 127/Virtual
Register here
Co-hosted by the Teaching Hub
Monday, September 18
11:45-1:15 pm
Book Discussion led by visiting scholar, Trevon Logan
Library Dew Drop Area
Food provided
Co-hosted by Justice Reads
Monday, September 18
6-7:30 pm
“All We Have is Truth”: Burdened Individuality, Abstract Equality, and Economic Inference
A Public Lecture with visiting scholar, Dr. Trevon Logan
Rauenhorst Ballroom
Hosted by Phi Beta Kappa and the Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics
RSVP
Friday, September 29
12-1:30 pm
Pillow Talk: A Conversation about Reading Romance as a Feminist Act
The Center for Women (CdC 230)
Co-hosted by the St. Kate's Bookstore and Center for Women
Thursday, October 5
11am-1pm
Resisting Book Bans Pop-Up Library
Atrium 1 (outside library & cafeteria), CdC 1st floor
Learn, read, and take action against censorship
Thursday, October 5
12-4pm
Going Out, Coming In: An Immersive Experience
Mill City Museum
Hosted by the Center for Intercultural Development
Saturday, October 21
9:30am-1:30pm
Walking Together: A Pilgrimage Against Racism
St.Thomas Aquinas Chapel to George Floyd Square
Co-hosted the Center for Spirituality & Social Justice
November-December
Aesthetics of Loss: Curated by Nirmal Raja
Catherine G. Murphy Gallery
Thursday, November 16
4-6pm
Empty Bowls Soup Social
Frey Theatre
Thursday, November 16
A Conversation with Junauda Petrus
The O’Shaughnessy
Junauda Petrus brings magic to the O'Shaughnessy wheel article
Thursday, April 4
4-6 pm
The Speculative, Spiritual, and Sensual Self: A Creative Writing Pajama Party with Junauda Petrus
Library Dew Drop Area
Monday, March 18 - Friday, March 22
One Read International Film Festival
More events forthcoming
Follow us here and on social media to keep up with new events as they are added!
Want to be more involved in the planning of this and future One Reads, including helping choose the next One Read text? Consider joining the planning group. Email Amy Mars (anmars@stkate.edu) for more information.