Events
Richard Wright Celebration in Natchez, Tennessee
This article recently was published in the Natchez Democrat, if you missed it, please review and accept this as your personal invitation to attend.
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Top of the Morning
The mighty oak, from little acorns grows. In September of 1908 a child was born on the Rucker Plantation here in Adams County. He was the grandson of a former slave, who had been sold at the Forks of the Road enslavement markets, and who later joined the ranks of the USCT (United States Colored Troops) who defended and secured the City of Natchez during the Civil War. Like the mighty oak, his roots ran deep within this community. Today, the Rucker Plantation has been incorporated into what is now the Natchez State Park.
From very humble and impoverished beginnings, that child grew to become internationally acclaimed author Richard Nathaniel Wright. He along with his work was often considered controversial due to its frank nature and his political beliefs. During 2007 members of our community participated in a series of readings and discussions which focused on the writings of Richard Wright. In February of this year, the Natchez Literary & Cinema dedicated its annual conference to the works of Richard Wright. Similar programs have been held throughout the United States, and in foreign countries such as Spain, Japan and France where he lived until his death in Paris in 1960. Our little acorn spread his limbs and was embraced worldwide.
In this, the centennial month of his birth we continue to celebrate the literary accomplishments of our own "Native Son". On Saturday September 27th, 2008 at 9:30am you are cordially invited to join in the celebration to be held at the Historic Natchez Foundation-108 S. Commerce Street. There you will see a video presentation developed by the students of Copiah-Lincoln Community College entitled "Richard Wright: A force for Right", as well as a viewing of the "Richard Wright Ramble", images of local sites associated with the Wright family prepared by Charles Wright, kinsman and local Wright family historian. The session will culminate with remarks by the esteemed Wright scholar Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr., Professor of English and African Studies, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA.
This free program is sponsored in part by Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Historic Natchez Foundation, Natchez Literary & Cinema Celebration and the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African American History & Culture (NAPAC) in partnership with Road Scholar Inc. of Boston, Mass., and Educational Travel Associates, Inc. We do hope that you will accept this invitation and join us.