Spring 2025 Book Club: "The Message" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Spring 2025 Book ClubÌý

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Hosted by the Center for Humanities & the Arts (CHA)

Meetings hosted January - February 2025

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Join the Center for Humanities & the Arts (CHA) for thought-provoking discussions on Coates’ latest work!

Book cover of "The Message" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

"The Message" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

91ÖÆƬ³§ the Book Club

The CHA, along with our co-sponsors, will host a book club to discuss , in which Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses traveling to Senegal and ruminates on the African diaspora (Ch. 1), visits a teacher in South Carolina who is being challenged for assigning Coates’s book (Ch. 2), and attends the Palestine Festival of Literature, where his previous understanding of Israel and Palestine is transformed (Ch. 3).

  • Book Club Dates: January 17 - January 31, 2025
  • Location: In-person and Zoom meetings

Download the flyer to promote book club invitations here:ÌýÌýÌýDownload flyer

Discussion structure for book club meetings

  • Part I: Introduction, Chapter 1 (Coates' journey to Senegal and his reflections on the African diaspora), Chapter 2 (Coates visits a South Carolina teacher who is being challenged for teaching his book ).
  • Part II: Chapter 3 (Coates at the Palestine Festival of Literature, where his previous understanding of Israel and Palestine are transformed)

How to Join

  1. Fill Out the - Sign up through our Google Form to participate in the discussion.
  2. Free Book Giveaway - The first 100 CU Boulder students/staff/faculty will receive a free copy of .
    • Note: If you were notified via email that you have received a free book, you must pick it up by December 20, 2024 from the CHA Office (Macky Auditorium, RM 201). Once the CHA office re-opens on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, we will have any left over books available for pick-up, first come first serve.
  3. See the Schedule & Sign Up for Book Club Discussions below - taking place in mid to late January 2025.

Book Club Schedule & Sign-Up

Join us for engaging discussions in both in-person and virtual formats! Please see the available dates and times below, and sign up to reserve your spot. In-person sessions are limited to 20 people, and Zoom sessions can accommodate up to 30 participants.

In-Person Sessions:

Location: CHA Conference Room, 201 Macky Auditorium (Enter through the far left door with the blue wheelchair placard)

  • Part I (discuss Chapters 1 and 2)
    • Friday, January 17, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Tuesday, January 21, 11:00-12:15 pm
    • Tuesday, January 21, 12:30-1:45 pm
    • Wednesday, January 22, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Thursday, January 23, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Friday, January 24, 12:00-1:15 pm
  • Part II (discuss Chapter 3)
    • Friday, January 24, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Monday, January 27, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Tuesday, January 28, 11:00-12:15 pm
    • Tuesday, January 28, 12:30-1:45 pm
    • Wednesday, January 29, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Friday, January 31, 12:00-1:15 pm

Zoom Sessions:

Zoom sessions are available for remote participation and have a capacity of 30 people. You'll receive the Zoom link after signing up.

  • Part I (discuss Chapters 1 and 2)
    • Wednesday, January 22, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Thursday, January 23, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Thursday, January 23, 6:00-7:15 pm
    • Friday, January 24, 12:00-1:15 pm
  • Part II (discuss Chapter 3)
    • Wednesday, January 29, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Thursday, January 30, 12:00-1:15 pm
    • Thursday, January 30, 6:00-7:15 pm
    • Friday, January 31, 12:00-1:15 pm
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After signing up, you’ll receive a confirmation and, if applicable, a Zoom link. If you sign up by Monday, January 13, you’ll likely secure a spot in your preferred session. The CHA will notify you after that date about your assigned section.
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For any questions related to the book club, reach out to Adele Potter, CHA Program Manager, at adele.potter@colorado.edu. For all other questions, you may reach out to the Center at cu-cha@colorado.edu.

Various logos of co-sponsors for the CHA's Spring 2025 Book Club

Co-Sponsors: Center for African and African American Studies, Center for Inclusion and Social Change, Center for Media, Religion, and Culture, Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies, CU Libraries, English and Creative Writing, Ethnic Studies, Program for Writing and Rhetoric, Program in Jewish Studies, Renée Crown Wellness Institute, Social Science Division of the College of Arts and Sciences.