Pleased to have with us Toni Morrison for indepth conversation about her lifes work. Toni morrison, as he began, ive seen several citations that you told people that its easiest best most apt to describe you as a black woman novelist. Is that correct . Absolutely. What are we the public to take away from your choice of those three words . I think it was an attempt on my part to choose to be given the status of honorary white male writer. Generally speaking, womens work has been reduced to regional or merely or people complement ethnic writers by saying or implying that they are as good as mainstream writers and whereas i understand the complement, i thought it would be better for me to, at least in the late 60s early 70s to establish once and for all that all three of those things play, and black, i am a woman, and im a writer and they go together. Youve also always been a teacher. Yes. Why is that important to who you are and what you do . Edit quite know what else to do when i gradua
Hayden is here to kick off our coverage. Dr. Hayden, for those who were not with us 23 years ago, how did this get started . It is so exciting to be here. You can hear the buzz behind us as everyone is coming in. In 2001, First Lady Laura Bush had been successful as a first lady of texas, starting the texas book fair. It was renowned. When she got to washington, d. C. , she asked my predecessor, dr. Billington, wouldnt it the nice if we had a book festival, a National Book festival because i do not think we have one . He said, we do now. In 2001, first lady bush, who was the first librarian to be first lady cut the ribbon on the National Mall for the book festival. It has been successful ever since. She has been a supporter ever sense. Is she still active in the book fair at all . Dr. Hayden she makes commemorative videos and things like that. We keep her involved. We send her everything. We send her we sent her signed posters from every year. She has been a wonderful supporter. When y
Hayden is here to kick off our coverage. Dr. Hayden, for those who were not with us 23 years ago, how did this get started . It is so exciting to be here. You can hear the buzz behind us as everyone is coming in. In 2001, First Lady Laura Bush had been successful as a first lady of texas, starting the texas book fair. It was renowned. When she got to washington, d. C. , she asked my predecessor, dr. Billington, wouldnt it the nice if we had a book festival, a National Book festival because i do not think we have one . He said, we do now. In 2001, first lady bush, who was the first librarian to be first lady cut the ribbon on the National Mall for the book festival. It has been successful ever since. She has been a supporter ever sense. Is she still active in the book fair at all . Dr. Hayden she makes commemorative videos and things like that. We keep her involved. We send her everything. We send her we sent her signed posters from every year. She has been a wonderful supporter. When y
Welcome to book tvs live coverage of the National Book festival. Some of the authors you will hear from today, and get a chance to talk with historian doug brinkley, rk russell and chest and buttigieg. Some of the topics to be discussed, black literary identity, Environmental Activism and food and culture. It is a full day ahead. We are glad you are here with us on book tv. As i mentioned, this is the 23rd year in a row book tv has partnered with the library of congress to bring you live coverage of the National Book festival. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden is here to kick off our coverage. Dr. Hayden, for those who were not with us 23 years ago, how did this get started . It is so exciting to be here. You can hear the buzz behind us as everyone is coming in. In 2001, First Lady Laura Bush had been successful as a first lady of texas, starting the texas book fair. It was renowned. When she got to washington, d. C. , she asked my predecessor, dr. Billington, wouldnt it the nice if w
The jackson state. Dr. Mcdaniels saw years. Okay of course i cant sit down. I just want to remind you all that whenever if you want to ask questions, mds, you will need to come to microphone at the podium right there, not try it no matter how loud your teacher voice is. Try not. We dont want you to shout it from your seat okay. Because as we we are filming this now. Great. Thank you and thank you guys for coming coming. Thank you for joining us with the art the panel and at this time, i have the pleasure of introducing our three distinguished panelists and their great works. First, we have maryemma graham. Shes a native of augusta, georgia. Shes the university. Distinguish professor of english at the university of kansas and founding director of. The history of black writing, which she established at the University Mississippi in 1983. The history of black has led national and International Initiatives to promote teaching and Public Engagement with black literary studies, with support