Book in Common

2023-24 Book in Common

How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, by Clint Smith

Community Read Challenge
Prepare for the author’s visit to campus by reading and participating in four challenges from March 11 to April 11.

Chapter Resources for Readers, Teachers, and Learners

Resources for Memory and Commemoration Studies
lee monument removal

“Clint Smith chronicles in vivid and meditative prose his travels to historical sites that are truth-telling or deceiving visitors about slavery. Humans enslaved Black people, and then too often enslaved history. But How the Word Is Passed frees history, frees humanity to reckon honestly with the legacy of slavery. We need this book.” ―Ibram X. Kendi, 2020-21 Chico State Book in Common author, and Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research

“Sheds light on the contested narratives beneath the surface of our collective national identity, inviting us to dig a little deeper, reminding us never to take received histories for granted.” ― Eve L. Ewing, Associate Professor in the Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity at the University of Chicago

Author's visit to Chico State on April 11

Clint Smith will read his poetry in ARTS 150 (Recital Hall) at 3:30pm

Clint Smith will speak at Laxson Auditorium at 7:30pm

Book in Common Logo

Book Cover

Teaching the Book in Spring 24?
Faculty, click here to let us know if you are teaching all or part of How the Word is Passed, and let us know if you need additional information or resources about each chapter.
Planning Team

Email bic@csuchico.edu to join this team in organizing events and resources for our community read of Clint Smith's How the Word is Passed

Or if you don't have time to join the planning team, but have ideas for events or resources please let us know!

We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.