Applied Words: On Belonging

In a city—let alone a world—of vast geographies, identities, experience and more, how do we understand our place?

Using personal stories, our guest authors will navigate the territory of belonging in a special Applied Words program that highlights two of the Guild’s 25 Writers to Watch, Rebecca Kling and Sahar Mustafah, and includes José Ángel N., author of Illegal: Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant.

On Belonging will take place in the upstairs event space of Schubas Tavern (3159 N Southport). Admission is pay-what-you-can ($5 suggested donation). A full bar and food menu is available.

ABOUT OUR AUTHORS

Rebecca Kling is a transgender artist and educator who explores gender and identity through solo pieces and educational workshops. Her multidisciplinary performances incorporate conversational storytelling, personal narrative, humor, and more. She regularly tours to colleges, universities, and theatre festivals across the country, and has received praise from publications coast to coast. In 2013, Kling was named as part of the inaugural Trans 100 list, which aims to highlight and celebrate excellence in the trans community. www.rebeccakling.com

José Ángel N. is an undocumented immigrant who came to the US from Mexico in 1993. He received a bachelor’s and a master’s from UIC; he is a regular contributor for El BeiSMan; his book Illegal: Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant has been recently chosen as book of the year for the One Book One College program at Moraine Valley Community College. He is author of the blog: https://joseangeln.wordpress.com/

Sahar Mustafah writes about “the others”—Arabs in the United States and abroad, who are often deemed strange and disparate from the larger racial community. Her work has appeared in anthologies and journals including Great Lakes Review, Word Riot, Flyleaf, Hair Trigger, and Chicago Literati, and she’s performed with 2nd Story Chicago. She’s the recipient of a Pushcart nomination. She recently her MFA from Columbia College. She is a teacher and co-founder of Bird’s Thumb, an online literary journal devoted to new and emerging voices.