Ralph Ellison and the Promise of American Democracy (IN PERSON) | American Writers Museum

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Join author Sterling Lecater Bland Jr. at the American Writers Museum in Chicago for an enlightening discussion about his book, "In the Shadow of Invisibility: Ralph Ellison and the Promise of American Democracy." This long-overdue reconsideration of Ralph Ellison explores the resonance of his intellectual thought in twenty-first-century American culture. Bland delves into Ellison's evolving attitudes on democracy, race, identity, social community, place, and political expression. Following the discussion, Bland will be available to sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase. This in-person program is presented in conjunction with the special exhibit, Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice. If you are unable to attend in person, you can still register for the livestream of the event. "In the Shadow of Invisibility" delves into Ellison's legacy and emphasizes the ongoing need to examine the intersection of race, literature, and American culture. Bland traces the growth of Ellison's ideas throughout his life, from his groundbreaking novel, "Invisible Man," to the posthumous publication of "Three Days Before the Shooting." By exploring the responsibilities of Black writers and examining democratic ideals, Ellison's work exposes the contradictions inherent in American culture. Sterling Lecater Bland Jr. is a respected professor at Rutgers University-Newark and the author of various works on African American studies. Don't miss this opportunity to gain new insights into Ralph Ellison's contributions to American intellectual thought.