By Ty Young, English, Creative Writing, and Psychology major
Hanif Abdurraqib readings are always filled with raw emotion. They capture the attention of listeners and keep it. He knows how to draw you in and keep you interested throughout an entire piece while seemingly putting in little effort. I mean little effort as a compliment; he is so talented that you have no choice but to stop and listen when he speaks. Abdurraqib is able to transfer the emotions of his writing to listeners while not even being in the same room as them.
Abdurraqib gave a reading on Tuesday, October 27 that was live-streamed through the Ashland University English Department Facebook page. Although Abdurraqib’s reading was for everyone I felt seen as a black student by his reading and his presence on campus, even through Zoom. A line that stuck with me from his reading, which focused on the documentary Amazing Grace about Aretha Franklin, was “Respond in a language that we know”; I believe the language he is referring to is ebonics, which is a language derived from American English. Ebonics is defined as “African-American English, esp. when considered as a distinct language or dialect with linguistic features related to or derived from those of certain West African languages, rather than as a nonstandard variety of English.” (Oxford English Dictionary). This small gesture allowed me to feel recognized without the burden of having to translate my words before I speak them in fear that others may not understand. It gets exhausting constantly having to code switch your words in order to conform to those around you. Knowing Ebonics allows African Americans to be bilingual, but only speaking that language among other African Americans.
While Abduraqib was speaking, I could see what he was describing. Although I was not familiar with the film Amazing Grace, I could feel the energy of it through his reading. His storytelling is immaculate and leaves out no detail. My favorite part was about the gospel audience and how it was a part of the performance. Most black churches have a call and response with the choir and church goers causing everyone to become part of the performance. The line that stuck with me was, “Audience of black people and no one to quiet them”. Black audiences are not often given the space to be loud, and they are constantly forced into silence when they are loud. When these spaces are created for us, it is beautiful to witness the black joy that flows through them. I could feel that joy through his reading.
I believe Abdurraqib himself reads the way gospel is spoken. Every line seems to have a message that we are meant to hear and annotate for ourselves. Each line expands on the other and creates a deeper meaning behind his writing. I feel Abdurraqib writes for black people without structuring it in a way that is digestible for those who are not familiar with our culture. If you understand it that is fine but, if you do not he does not spend time explaining it and he moves onto his next point. Abdurraqib is aware that people can relate to his experiences, but he does not believe that his experiences as a black man are universal. Abdurraqib is an exceptional writer and makes me feel proud to be a black writer from Ohio.
