For our first reading group conversation, we will be reading and discussing Anna Hinton‘s “Making Do with What You Don’t Have: Disabled Black Motherhood in Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents.” In terms of a “discussion guide” for our first conversation, we will center various keywords that emerge in the article, but our conversation isn’t limited to these keywords. They are only meant to serve as a guide. Below, you will find some of these keywords, a form to add your own keywords and themes, and a tangible guide for making our first conversation as accessible as possible.
After the June 1st conversation, each participant will receive a Google Form to solicit feedback on ways we can make our ongoing reading group conversations more accessible. As always, email antiableistcomposition@gmail.com with recommendations, questions, and comments.
Keywords
- Figurative disability (p. 442)
- Metaphor
- Pathological mothering (p. 443)
- Supercrip
- Maternal fatigue
- Hyper-empathy (p. 444)
- Material-discursive (p. 445)
- Being and Becoming Disabled
- Strong Black women and representation (p. 450)
- Black interiority
- Disability and maternal identity (p. 454)
Reminders for a more accessible conversation
- Be sure to allow each participant to finish their contribution before contributing yourself. This will help all participants follow the conversation and will also help to ensure that all participants are able to contribute and be heard.
- After thirty minutes, we will take a ten minute break. For example, if our discussion lasts about an hour (which is the goal), we will take a ten minute break in the middle of this time period.
- All participants can contribute written discussion elements to the conversation by using the Zoom chat option and/or by emailing their contributions to antiableistcomposition@gmail.com prior to or during the conversation.
- If you are not speaking, please mute your microphone to minimize background noises.
- It is recommended that you not use digital or animated Zoom backgrounds to minimize cognitive-visual distractions.
- All participants are encouraged to use a signal to note their desire to contribute to the conversation. For example, participants can make a handwritten note that says “Contribute.” Instead of relying on verbal cues to participate, this conversation will be open to visual cues. This may be adopted universally after the first conversation, pending accessibility feedback.
- If you would like to contribute longer forms of discussions, you are encouraged to write a discussion as opposed to speaking at length. This is to ensure that all participants who desire to contribute to the ongoing conversation will have time and space to do so.
Resources
- Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
- Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
- April 2000 interview with Octavia E. Butler
Anti-Ableist Composition 