The Words, April 2019

Calling All Fandroids: Janelle Monáe Pop Talk Approaches

Alex Harrington ’19

If you’ve never been to one of the English Department’s Pop Talks, allow me to set the scene: it’s a Wednesday evening, the sun is setting. The Old Main fourth floor lounge, the most picturesque nook on campus, is warm as the shadows settle in. Friends gather at tables, laughing around mouths full of popcorn and Italian soda. Your favorite professor grabs a last bite of popcorn before calling the room to attention. The topic is something you haven’t encountered in a class, but that you’ve probably heard a lot about. Comic books or a recent movie open up and become valuable sites of academic inquiry as the professor shares their insights. Laughing resumes, this time around a conversation that ends only once people have to pack up for night classes. In short, Pop Talks are super fun, and if you haven’t been to any, you’re missing out. Learn more about Janelle Monáe and the upcoming Pop Talk…

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Alumni Spotlight on Sarah Richman ’16

Alex Harrington ’19

The Words is thrilled to announce the beginning of a new feature celebrating English Department alumni. Kicking us off is one of our very own, Sarah Richman ’16. At Mac, Sarah majored in creative writing and international studies. She holds a special place in our hearts as an alumna of not only the English Department, but also The Words. Please enjoy a look into what Sarah’s been up to in the post-grad world.

One of the many advantages of being a student at Macalester College is the location. Close to both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis and boasting two bus stops to major transit routes, Macalester’s location makes engagement with the larger Twin Cities area easier than ever. This month, The Words spoke with various members of the English Department to see how they took advantage of the opportunities these vibrant cities have to offer. Read about Mac in the Cities…

Spring Capstone Projects: A Preview

Miriam Moore-Keish ’19

This month, The Words is so grateful and excited to showcase the work of English minor Albert Lee ’20. Catfished from Honolulu, Hawai’i with a financial aid package, Albert Lee is a junior at Macalester College. An Asian studies major and creative writing minor, his writing is inspired by larger questions about postmemory, diasporic intimacy, and Asian-futurism. Essentially, ‘How beautiful does the world need to be before I stop wanting to leave it?’ Currently, he is reading Ocean Vuong’s intensely fragile novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. He hopes he can one day connect to the pathos within the human condition as Ocean does so tenderly. Read Albert’s poetry…