Search form

You are here

Roxane Gay takes no prisoners at recent Mechanics Hall event

March 2018
  • Audience members asked Ms. Gay some thought-provoking questions.
    Audience members asked Ms. Gay some thought-provoking questions.
  • From left: QCC Executive Director of Advancement Karen Ruck, QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja and his wife, Leigh Woodruff.
    From left: QCC Executive Director of Advancement Karen Ruck, QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja and his wife, Leigh Woodruff.
  • Roxane Gay signs books after her talk.
    Roxane Gay signs books after her talk.
  • Dr. Pedraja explains the new Literary Philanthropy Project.
    Dr. Pedraja explains the new Literary Philanthropy Project.
  • QCC Professor Jerry Williams asks Ms. Gay a question.
    QCC Professor Jerry Williams asks Ms. Gay a question.
  • Roxane Gay share a laugh with Professor Margaret Wong (left) and Associate Professor Nicole Payen.
    Roxane Gay share a laugh with Professor Margaret Wong (left) and Associate Professor Nicole Payen.

On Friday, March 23, the City of Worcester was treated to something special when Quinsigamond Community College brought author and cultural critic Roxane Gay, to Mechanics Hall for a night of thought-provoking conversation.

The Evening with Roxane Gay was presented by the Literary Philanthropy Project (LPP), a new initiative that was conceived by QCC Assistant English Professor Nicole Payen. The LPP is a collaboration between the QCC Foundation, the Community Connections Department and the English Department to partner with established authors to raise scholarship money in their name, encouraging retention of current students and promoting recruitment of prospective students. Proceeds from this event will benefit merit and need-based scholarships for QCC students.

“I know we have a lot of our students here and this (event) is for you. Our mission is to help our community,” QCC's President Dr. Pedraja said, adding, “Thanks to all our sponsors for their contributions …they do a wonderful job supporting our programs and we want to continue that partnership that has helped to make this event a reality.”

QCC’s Executive Director of Advancement Dr. Karen Rucks gave Ms. Gay a powerful introduction that segued into a no-holds barred discussion.

“Roxane Gay is the mind and voice that has emerged full from this time and age,” she said. “She comes to our event this evening with a generosity of heart. Thank you Roxane Gay, for using your voice.”

Ms. Gay then spent the evening answering questions from QCC Professor of English Margaret Wong and Professor Payen on a myriad of subjects. Of particular interest was the question that Professor Payen posed to Ms. Gay, asking her how she is able to “speak” her truth without offending people.

“I write the kinds of things I love to read about. I’m a Libra, I can see both sides of an issue. You have to respect where people might be. No one wants to be told what they think and feel is unworthy,” she said, noting that writing is something she does for pleasure. “I value my time and writing is fun and my favorite thing to do. It keeps depression under control. ”

In the final segment, Ms. Gay opened up questions to the audience, answering some questions about her book, Hunger, a memoir that details her own emotional and psychological with struggles with consumption, appearance and health. 

 “When you live in a fat body people have horrible opinions of you and you become vulnerable,” she said.

In addition to her book Hunger, Ms. Gay discussed racism in today’s world, feminism, the current administration, and how she motivates herself when the haters come at her.

“It’s hard to resist the bigotry and dehumanization,” she said, adding that she has a good support system of friends and family.

Ms. Gay told the audience that part of that support system comes from her 6-year-old niece and being a role model for her, “without even trying.”

“Just having her in the world and wanting her to have a world that’s better keeps me going,” she continued. “We have a responsibility beyond ourselves. “

Share
randomness