Literary Lunch: A civil discussion for all

By Heather Lee Schroeder
July 21, 2006

APPETIZERS: Take a break with poetry

Summer's half over, and by now, you've probably worked your way through your pile of beach reads, and you might be casting about for the next literary frontier. Take a break, I say, from that frothy brew of chick lit and thrillers. Embrace your poetic nature, and check out the First Thursday Open Mike Poetry Reading at 7 p.m. on Aug. 3 at Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham St. You'll hear Milwaukee poet Steve Anderson read from his latest work, and if you're brave, you can debut one of your own literary masterpieces.

ENTREE: A civil discussion for all

The Wisconsin Humanities Council's "A More Perfect Union" discussion series may look like the same program its fans have grown to appreciate, but this year's lineup offers a big change - the addition of a film.

The series takes its annual theme from the Preamble to the Constitution, focusing on a single large idea each year and spinning off its reading and discussion topics from that idea. Participating groups borrow discussion kits from the Humanities Council.

This year's theme is "to establish justice," and participants are invited to read "A Civil Action" by Jonathan Harr, "Bombingham" by Anthony Grooms, "Sex Wars: A Novel of the Turbulent Post-Civil War Period" by Marge Piercy and "For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire" by James Yee and Aimee Molloy. In addition, the program debuts a new partnership with Wisconsin Public Television. WPT has donated VHS copies of a film by Meema Spadola titled "Red Hook Justice."

Many of the authors of the featured books will appear at this year's Wisconsin Book Festival, which runs from Oct. 18-22.

The process of choosing the books and film took time and consideration, said program director Jessica Becker, because the goal was to explore injustice from a variety of different angles, both historical and contemporary. The historical perspective offers readers context, but the program's organizers also wanted the discussion to touch on how, as Becker said, "we are all players in history in terms of defining what justice means."

From gender equity to environmental protection to religious freedom to community justice to civil rights, this year's program offers a broad view of justice - a deliberate choice on the part of the program's organizers.

"I think the four books we chose this year are pretty provocative and ask tough questions," said Dean Bakopoulos, executive director of the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

He said the topic will undoubtedly appeal to people at both ends of the political spectrum. "We knew that the Supreme Court was going to become a very important player in the political landscape," he said. "We knew it would be more watched, more powerful and more partisan than ever. Our program isn't just critical of the system, but it inspires critical thinking."

Of course, critical thinking and engaged discussion embody the purpose of A More Perfect Union.

"The whole idea behind A More Perfect Union is to get people to discuss difficult issues, but to give them a common ground in literature," Bakopoulos explained.

In fact, the Humanities Council staff likes to throw out words like civility, reflection and depth - terms not generally associated with difficult political discourse - and it's clear they mean what they say.

"It's really hard to have a good discussion when all you have to go by are current media headlines," Bakopoulos said. "When you ask somebody to read a book or watch a film or read a longer article, you're really asking somebody to approach an issue with reflection and consideration."

Groups that are interested in participating may borrow their discussion group kit from the Wisconsin Humanities Council. The kit includes 15 copies of each of the four books, a list of questions to ponder while reading, a discussion guide (available in print and online) with questions that tie the books together thematically, and fliers and brochures to help publicize the group's meetings. To request a kit, go to www.wisconsinhumanities.org and click on the More Perfect Union icon.

DESSERT: Local writer finishes first

Local poet and fiction writer F.J. Bergmann's story "Pale Horse" won the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award offered by Rosebud Magazine. In addition to a $1,000 prize, the piece appears in issue 35 of the magazine. The story of a racehorse that won't stop running, "Pale Horse" will stick with you long after you've read the final line.

Heather Lee Schroeder's "Literary Lunch" appears twice a month. E-mail: hls@literarylunch.com. Web site: www.literarylunch.com.