Festival of Ideas: Margo Jefferson

Schedule

Fri May 27 2022 at 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm

Location

Waterstones Bristol Galleries, use Union Street entrance | Bristol, EN

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How Do You Write About Your Life, Race and Class?
About this Event

Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and memoirist Margo Jefferson interrogates her own self as well as the act of writing memoir, and probes the fissures of race and class at the centre of American cultural life.

Margo Jefferson – ‘one of our most nuanced thinkers on the intersections of race, class, and feminism’ (Cathy Park Hong) – follows her bestselling Negroland (which she spoke about in Bristol in 2016) with a new memoir. Jefferson has lived in the thrall of a cast of others – her parents and maternal grandmother, jazz luminaries, writers, artists, athletes and stars. These are the figures who thrill and trouble her, and who have made up her sense of self as a person and as a writer.

Taking in the jazz and blues icons she idolised as a child (including Josephine Baker and Bud Powell), ideas of what the female body could be – as incarnated by trailblazing black dancers and athletes – Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Topsy reimagined in the artworks of Kara Walker, white supremacy in the novels of Willa Cather, James Baldwin and more, Jefferson’s account is ‘a moving portrait of the life of a brilliant African American woman’s mind’ (Darryl Pinckney). Vivian Gornick said: ‘This is one of the most imaginative – and therefore moving – memoirs I have ever read. An impressive sequel to Negroland!’


Image credit: Michael Lionstar

Waterstones and Bristol Ideas want to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all. The event capacity has returned to normal and seating will not be socially distanced. In the interest of audience and staff safety we are grateful if you would continue to wear a mask if possible and make space when moving around the venue. Please stay home if you’re experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (these are listed on the NHS website) or if you’ve recently been in contact with someone who has the virus. 

  • CONCESSIONS apply to Full Time Students, Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit claimants, over 60s and disabled people.
  • PARTNER RATE is for staff, students or members at the following organisations: Arts Council England, Bristol City Council, Business West, University of Bristol and UWE. Please note that you will be asked of proof for your eligibility of a concession or partner rate ticket. Please note that no refunds/exchanges are possible for tickets already purchased at the higher price.
  • One free carer ticket can be provided for each paying disabled visitor, please before booking to arrange.

Accessibility

  • There are Blue Badge parking spaces on Union Street.
  • There is level access to the event space.
  • Events are amplified but there is no loop system.
  • There are toilets for public use.
  • Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

More information about Waterstones Bristol – Galleries can be found .

Please note we only refund tickets if the event is cancelled. Events start punctually and, out of consideration to other audience members and speakers, our policy is not to admit or issue refunds to latecomers. Full Terms and Conditions .

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Where is it happening?

Waterstones Bristol Galleries, use Union Street entrance, 11A Union Street, Bristol, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 0.00 to GBP 8.00

Bristol Ideas

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