Creighton University kicked off the Presidential Lecture Series on Wednesday with the acclaimed author Edwidge Danticat, who discussed fighting for racial justice through creativity.
The event, hosted in the Hixon-Lied Auditorium and moderated by assistant professor of English Surbhi Malik, highlighted Danticat’s work and legacy as a Haitian-American author.
Danticat and Malik engaged in conversation about race in America, what it means to “create dangerously,” and how future generations can contribute to the fight for global racial justice.
Danticat is the recipient of numerous accolades such as the National Book Critics Award, selection for the Oprah Book Club, Reese’s Book Club and the Story Prize.
She is the author of popular books such as “Krik? Krak!” and “The Farming of Bones.” In each of her publications, Danticat addresses themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, justice and hope, race in Haiti and the United States and responsibility for future change.
“One thing about literature is that it allows us to dream, ” said Danticat.
“Creating dangerously” was another important theme across Danticat and Malik’s conversation.
To Danticat, telling stories and exploring life through literature is a means to express the need for change, justice and reconciliation in Haiti.
Hope is the central ingredient in “creating dangerously” because it brings about actionable change.
Students had the option to participate in the conversation by asking Danticat important questions about leadership and how students can be empowered to have important conversations about racial justice.
Junior Dan Kooima reflected on the necessity for education and action in the Creighton community after attending the event.
“Starting with community reflection, I think Creighton can become a welcoming and equitable space by putting minority voices and those who “create dangerously” in positions of power,” reflected Kooima.
Danticat encouraged each student to “create dangerously” whether it was through dialogue, continued education, social media or community involvement.
Future progress depends on bold action today. Junior Emma Moran, a student who attended the event, reflected on her need to “create dangerously.”
“Creating dangerously means expressing activism and art in situations and locations that oppress that activism,” said Moran. “Because I am in a position of privilege, I can never fully understand what that means to Madame Danticat, but I can continue to use my voice to speak up about what’s right even when it is uncomfortable and may put me in a position of risk.”
The next speaker in the Presidential Lecture Series will be Damon Tweedy. The event will be on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. and will be hosted on Zoom. Students can register for the event on the Presidential Lecture Series webpage.