Merton students set up black literature reading group

Black Writing Matters is a new reading group started by Merton students Malak Khalil and Apollo Lalouschek (both 2016), in response to the recent wave of protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis. The group aims to encourage a more sustained commitment to thinking and learning about the legacies of prejudice faced by black communities and people of colour around the world, while also celebrating the brilliant work of black writers.

Malak and Apollo explained how the group will work:

"Together, we will consider issues of race, politics, history, and culture through the reading of black literature. Two books will be assigned each month – one fiction, one non-fiction – on a variety of topics. Participants will also be given one small task to complete. At the end of the month, we’ll meet to discuss our thoughts."

The first month’s topic is injustice and incarceration, and the chosen books are An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, and Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow. The group is open to anyone, and Apollo and Malak invite all interested members of the Merton community to sign up.

UPDATE: Malak and Apollo have now graduated and are therefore now alumni of the college, rather than students.