Reading Schedule:

February 11th: Part One - Commonplace

February 18th: Part Two - Squirrel Cage

February 25th: Part Three - Rats' Alley

More on Lawd Today!:

"Lawd Today!" by Richard Wright explores the life of Jake Jackson, a Southern Black man living in Chicago during the Great Depression. The story unfolds on Lincoln's birthday, where Jake is haunted by the legacy of emancipation while grappling with his own personal entrapment and failures. As he navigates a difficult day marked by abusive behavior towards his wife, Lil, and the struggle to find meaning in his life, Jake epitomizes the challenges faced by many Black Americans of the era.

 

The narrative highlights the oppressive conditions at Jake's workplace and showcases his interactions with friends, providing insight into the social dynamics and challenges of Black men during this time.

 

Though "Lawd Today!" was not published until after Wright's death, it serves as an essential work for understanding the author’s literary evolution and the socio-cultural context of Black life in America.

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Join us for deep, honest conversations about the emotional effects of poverty in Black America, toxic relationships, and the lasting damage caused by toxic work environments.

 

Facilitated by Branden Janese.

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