Virtual Reading Group for Literary Activism: with the Stowe Center

 Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwamie Adjei-Brenyah

Loretta Thurwar and Hamara “Hurricane Staxxx” Stacker are the stars of the Chain-Gang All-Stars, the cornerstone of CAPE, or Criminal Action Penal Entertainment, a highly popular, highly controversial profit-raising program in America’s increasingly dominant private prison industry. It’s the return of the gladiators, and prisoners are com­peting for the ultimate prize: their freedom. In CAPE, prisoners travel as Links in Chain-Gangs, competing in death matches before packed arenas with righteous protestors at the gates. Moving from the Links in the field to the protestors, to the CAPE employees and beyond, Chain-Gang All-Stars is a kaleidoscopic, excoriating look at the American prison system’s unholy alli­ance of systemic racism, unchecked capitalism, and mass incarceration, and a clear-eyed reckoning with what freedom in this country really means.

Leading the book discussion is Antoinette Brim-Bell, Connecticut’s 8th Poet Laureate and a Stowe Prize Selection Committee member.

Antoinette Brim-Bell, Connecticut’s 8th State Poet Laureate, is the author of three full-length poetry collections:  These Women You Gave Me, Icarus in Love, and Psalm of the Sunflower.  A sought-after speaker, editor, educator, and consultant, Brim-Bell is a Professor of English at Connecticut State Community College, Capital.

For more information

The Stowe Center is pleased to host a monthly book club to discuss works that embody the values of literary activism. Our book selections are from Stowe Prize shortlist and winners; works which engage with social justice, tell honest histories, and model how we can all be part of change for good. Please join us every second Wednesday of the month to discuss these important and timely books with guest hosts who will guide our conversation and offer diverse insight and perspectives.

Meetings will be held on the second Wednesdays of the month starting in September.