Reading Books like Browsing Costco Aisles
By Trinity Rogers, VU Class of 2024 and Research Fellow for the Taught by Literature Project
Three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to fly to Pasadena, California for the C19: The Society of Nineteenth Century Americanists Conference with the Taught by Literature Project, which is supported by the Idol Family Fellows Program of the McNulty Institute. Dr. Lutes and I flew to California together and met up with TBL's Co-Founders Dr. Brigitte Fielder and Denise Burgher. Since I joined the project in my sophomore year, I've only ever gotten to be with our whole team in-person once before, in 2022, so it’s always a pleasure to be able to see everyone. We attended different conference sessions on everything from "What's Next in Florida" to Dr. Fielder's very own "Methods for Unending History from William San Pascual Still’s Underground Rail Road (1872)" in which we were lucky enough to hear her sing! The conference, interestingly titled "The End", matched my own solemn emotions as I walked through different sessions. I've been a student fellow with TBL for over two years, and my first conference presentation ever was with them, and so was my last. Dr. Lutes, Denise, and I presented on a panel titled "Gen Z & C19: A Roundtable on Affirming Student Scholars" along with faculty from Haverford College, Queens College, The University of Delaware, University of Southern Indiana, and the University of Connecticut.
I was surprised to see that I was the only student scholar on our panel, and a bit nervous that I would be the only representative of Gen Z. As it turns out, I was the only representative of Gen Z on the panel, but not in the room. I was pleasantly surprised to see Gen Z scholars in the room who gave head nods and quiet snaps of encouragement as I shared my points and answered questions. While I wouldn't ever want to be the only voice of a generation (entirely too much pressure), I did enjoy being able to share my own thoughts and ideas on how faculty can better support their Gen Z students in research and in and out of classrooms. I was just as excited to mix and mingle with other generations as well, both within the conference and on our expedition to San Diego to film the legendary Dr. Frances Smith Foster.
After about a three-hour long drive from Pasadena to San Diego at around six a.m., Denise, Dr. Lutes, and I arrived at the home of Dr. Frances Smith Foster. We were greeted first by a banner on her front door that read "RICKY'S HOUSE" and featured a portrait of her small, older, white dog, Ricky. When Dr. Foster opened the door, we were greeted both by her and the infamous Ricky. We were able to set up to film in under thirty minutes, and filmed Dr. Smith Foster reading an excerpt written by the (legendary) nineteenth-century writer and activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, with Ricky at her feet. Afterwards, Dr. Smith Foster answered some questions we had prepared, and she offered probably the best comparison I had heard in a while: "Approach anthologies, and all books really, as if you were at Costco. Try the samples, test it out first, but if it's not for you, then keep it pushing." This, I knew, was just one of the reasons she was incredibly legendary, and I felt honored to have met and spent time with her. I think everyone should approach books and experiences like Costco – take advantage of the opportunity to test it out before you buy it in bulk and commit to something you may not even enjoy.
Image Description: (from left to right) Dr. Amari Johnson, Myself, Dr. Frances Smith Foster, Caleb Lucky, and Darius Pickett. The filming team and myself with Dr. Frances Smith Foster.
Image Description: (from left to right) Denise Burgher, Myself, Dr. Jean Lutes out to lunch after filming in San Diego.
Image Description: Ricky sitting in on filming
Image Description: (from left to right): Denise Burger, myself, Dr. Brigitte Fielder, and Dr. Jean Lutes on the last day of the C19 conference.
