Bibliotherapy
I believe literature can be truly therapeutic. Sometimes reading a poem, short story or book can put into words what you have been feeling but was not able to articulate. Literature can be an unofficial guide to the issues we face in life. Whatever topic it might be someone in the world at some point in history has thought of the same thing, and wrote it down. This is why I am hosting “Bibliotherapy,” a literary podcast on current news and using literature as a remedy for the overall debate. Each new guest, typically a student, writes a piece of literature about recent news, comes on the show to read it and shares share a book or author recommendation related to the discussion. This podcast is meant to be completely casual, relaxing, and hopefully, healing.
The first topic is on Women facing Sexual Harassment, a growing conversation and movement not just in America, but across the globe. Trending hashtags on social media have shed light on how prevalent sexual harassment is experienced by women, especially in the workplace. In the U.S. there is the anti-sexual harassment campaign #Metoo on social media, and here in France, there are the hashtags: #BalanceTonPorc (Expose your pig) and #StopauxFrotteurs (related to gropers on public transport).
Listen to the podcast here:
The book recommendation for this week's podcast:
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Details on the upcoming Sexual Harassment conference on February 9th:
As the #MeToo movement and its French counterpart #BalanceTonPorc gain ever-increasing media attention on both sides of the Atlantic, it would seem that informed discussion and rigorous debate on these issues are of a very timely nature. The conference will be translated into both French and English. Please note that anyone interested in attending must send their name to me (Lissa Lincoln, llincoln@aup.edu) at least two days in advance of the event in order to be placed on the guest list.
