Thanks to Virginia Tech’s MFA program in Creative Writing, award winning poet Claudia Rankine was invited to read as part of their Visiting Writers Series. After hearing several of her works during class, I was really excited to hear her read and be able to meet her. I was sooo not disappointed. During my time here at Virginia Tech, I’ve tried to go to as many readings as possible. I’ve got to say, Claudia Rankine is near, if not at the top on my list of favorites.

She read from her newest book, Citizen: An American Lyric. Using poetry, she speaks of encounters with racism, of both aggression and what she calls “micro-agression.” Her pieces, which can be more accurately described as “prose-poetry,” tells stories of both racial injustice and normal occurrences that are fueled by racism. One of her poems tells the story of a black man on a metro, and how a woman chose to stand instead of sitting in the empty chair next to him. This is something that, if you are not a member of the black community, you would not notice, but these sorts of things probably stand out to them more than outright racist aggression. I don’t want to say much more, because I encourage everybody to read her work. It’s truly beautiful and powerful stuff.

It was a fairly small audience, but I didn’t complain. It made it easier to get her autograph. I fangirled hardcore when I met her. She complimented my nail polish, and I told her she was amazing. Overall, it was just a fabulous experience.

If you want to know more about Claudia Rankine or read any of her works, her website is here.