File, Digital Video

Alexander '09
Reading

Digital video taken from a MiniDV tape containing raw footage of Dr. Elizabeth Alexander's reading at Marygrove College, held on April 16, 2004 in conjunction with the Annual Bauder Contemporary American Authors Lecture.

The event hosted by Dr. Donald Levin, the Chair of English and Modern Languages at Marygrove. Marygrove President David J. Fike provides an introduction to the event. Dr. Mary Helen Washington introduces Dr. Alexander.

In her presentation, Dr. Alexander thanks Dr. Washington for her mentorship and reads her poems, "West Indian Primer," "The Dirt-Eaters," "Penmanship," "Race," "Crash," "The Tony Morrison Dreams," "War," "Peccant," "Gift," "Knowledge," "Study," "Water," "Allegiance," "End," "The Dream That I Told My Mother-in-Law," "Stray," "Fried Apples," "Praise Song for the Day," and "The Elders" with occasional commentary.

The recording ends as Dr. Levin begins to explain the process for the following book signing.