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TRS Students Attend "Picking Cotton" Authors' Talk


On December 4, 2013, Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, authors of Picking Cotton, spoke at SUNY Geneseo about what unfolded in 1984-1985 when Jennifer was raped and Ronald was wrongfully imprisoned for having committed the crime. Five members of Katy Allen’s Integrated Reading and Writing II class attended the talk, had their copies of the book signed, and spoke directly with Ronald and Jennifer.

The idea for the field trip occurred to Professor Allen when a colleague who teaches at SUNY Geneseo told her about the impending visit.  Allen, who at the time was only a few weeks into the semester, thought that hearing authors speak might inspire her students to read and write more.  So, she convened a class meeting and offered to purchase the books for any students who wanted to read
Picking Cotton and attend the December lecture.

“I read the prologue to the class,” states Allen. “My students got very quiet. When I stopped, Keirah White said, ‘Keep reading.’ Initially only a few students were interested in my idea, but once I had read to them from the text, all but one student expressed interest.”  Allen then suggested that the class use reading the book as an opportunity to merge the processes of reading and writing by doing journaling while reading the book.  The TRS 200 syllabus doesn’t explicitly call for reading a full length book, but Allen felt that
Picking Cotton was a good choice for a "class read" because it is a well-told story of human suffering, struggle, injustice, and redemption, and adds Allen, “How fortuitous that the authors who are also the main characters of the story were coming to the area to speak just as the semester ended.”

Allen’s students shared their thoughts regarding the talk. 

Keirah White: “The trip was inspiring and it touched me deeply. The emotion in the room was high. I learned that no matter what the situation is you will have to forgive in order to move on.”

Elise Bermudez: “I thought Picking Cotton was so interesting, so much so that I couldn’t put it down. The story was inspiring and so touching that I believe everyone who reads the book with think the same way. I am so happy that I had a chance to meet the authors. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Julianna Beyo:  “Picking Cotton was a compelling story that left you inspired and unable to put it down. Meeting Ronald and Jennifer was an experience that I will take with me.”

Prima James:  “This is such an amazing book. The speakers alone are VERY powerful! I just love everything about these authors and their trials and what they have overcome! This book has taught me so much about forgiveness and faith. I encourage everyone to read this book.”

Allen plans to do another class read this spring. “I’m again intrigued by the possibility of reading a book that is connected to a talk being given locally. So, I’m going to suggest that my students read parts of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, not only because it’s a great book, but also because members of the Lacks family will be speaking on campus in March. Like Picking Cotton, it is a read that offers much to think and write about.”

Photo caption (left to right)

Professor Allen,  Rachel Countryman, Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, Prima James, Julianna Beyo, Ronald Cotton, Elise Bermudez, Keirah White.

Kathleen P. Allen
TRS
01/29/2014


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icon TRS 200 Picking Cotton Photo.jpg