On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, a group called "Writers Resist" held more than 90 events around the country and abroad. One of the Pennsylvania events was held Sunday evening at Webster's Bookstore Cafe in State College.
The tables at Webster's were filled with an attentive audience, ready to hear powerful words on race, gender and freedom.
Author and poet Nicole Miyashiro, writer and editor for the PA Center for the Book, read from some of her poetry.
"You tell me you are better, before you ask my name. You decide I am a color, but it's one you can't explain," she read. Miyashiro was one of many published authors who gave readings at the event, on themes including race, gender, freedom and hope.
Cate Fricke, who works for Penn State Press, was the organizer. She says the Writers Resist movement is a chance for writers and audiences to come together as a community in the aftermath of the presidential election, and express what they value.
"What we're for, and what we're going to fight for in the next four years," Fricke says. "Which is the power of words and stories to humanize the experiences of others, to galvanize people to action, and to inspire hope."
For more information on Writers Resist, visit http://www.writersresist.org/
