Manastash Live will showcase the work of students who submitted to the magazine this year and would like the chance to share their work before the magazine itself is published.

With the theme “Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice – Black and Brown Lives Do Matter,” this year’s Manastash Literary Arts Magazine will continue the conversation of social equality and diversity on campus.

“This is a way for every submission to have a voice and a great way to build some pre-excitement for the Manastash publication,” said Xavier Cavazos, head editor of Manastash Literary Arts Magazine.

Every student who has submitted to Manastash Literary Arts Magazine will receive an invitation to participate in the event and is encouraged to share their interpretation of this year’s theme.

Cavazos hopes that this event will help build a stronger community on campus between students and specifically within the creative writing program.

Students were encouraged to break the boundaries of traditional literature with their submissions to the magazine this year.

“This will be a continuation of creative writing happenings that have been changing the literary culture on campus and in the community as well,” Cavazos said.

The goal of this event is to continue the work Manastash has started by getting students talking about and understanding diversity and the role of racism in society through the creative outlet of literature.

With the help of Gerard Hogan, Central’s academic and research commons librarian, this event will be held on the first floor of the library in the Academic and Research Commons, otherwise known as the Library ARC.

Hogan said he was particularly excited for the event because of the voices that will be showcased.

“I like using the library for literary readings because it highlights the students more,” Hogan said.

The library is the perfect venue for an event showcasing a theme like Manastash as Hogan said because, “libraries should not be censoring or sheltering people. People should speak out.”

Because of the theme of this year’s literary arts magazine, the audience can be sure to expect a great night of readings.

Michelle Metz, senior biology major, is one student who will be attending Manastash live.

“I am excited to hear everyone’s different take on the theme,” Metz said. “Since it has been such a big issue in our society today I think it is good that we are talking about it.”