I participated in the Redefining Classics Virtual Gathering this past Saturday, held in anticipation of the upcoming in-person conference at the end of May at Catholic University. Unfortunately, I cannot attend the conference but I got a great taste of it. What an extraordinary day! And as a confirmed book addict, it’s no surprise that by the end of the day, I’d already ordered most of the amazing books we discussed.
Being intellectually inspired by new points of view and new information is what Redefining Classics is all about and this gathering did not disappoint. Dr. Anika Prather emceed the day-long virtual event. Archaeologist Dr. Shana O’Connel kicked off the talks with fresh ideas on using online museum resources in the classroom. As a docent for the Carlos Museum with our own online resources, I was intrigued by her experiences and resources. She reminded us of the power of representation and how moving it was when her students at Howard University saw classical and ancient images that included their heritage.
Poet Amber O’Neil Johnston talked about the promise of poetry for inspiring students, while author and chaplain Paul A. Henderson talked about how he used principles learned from engaging with classical texts to both inspire and motivate his own sons and the children he works with. Jacqueline Tuke, executive director at The District School, shared her experiences in creating a racially and economically diverse school in Washington, DC, steeped in classical learning models. Dr. Sheena M. Mason discussed her visionary program for dismantling racism that seemed, to me, the kind of exciting paradigm shift that is needed to really shift things. I immediately ordered her book, The Raceless Antiracist and I can’t wait to dive in.
I spoke about how ancient habits of thinking–especially about sex and girls–continues in modern misogyny, particularly as it relates to my upcoming book about Vestal Virgins (which, shhhhh, I haven’t formally announced yet). Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics of St. Agnes school in St. Paul, talked about the need for classics in a free, ordered society (especially in these disordered times!). He is the one who recommended the book, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning, in response to my discussion about the sacrificial nature of Vestal punishments in ancient Rome.
Dr. Carolivia Herron, classics professor at both Howard University and Arizona State University discussed her love of Dante and Lucan and how poetry can be a catalyst for healing. She mentionedThe Devil’s Half Acre which tells the story of her painful ancestry and also announced that her renowned book, Thereafter Johnnie, is being re-released this fall. Yet another book I will have to order!
Thank you Redefining Classics for hosting such a wonderful program!
Leave a Reply