“Bronx Reads: One Book, One College, One Community,” the program that invites the entire campus to read one book and join in various events exploring and celebrating the themes of the work, is devoted this year to Michele Wucker’s Why the Cocks Fight: Dominicans, Haitians and the Struggle for Hispaniola. This book was chosen because of the many opportunities it provides to examine the complexities of citizenship and race, imperialism and identity, which have particular relevance in today’s global political climate.

On Tuesday, December 4, students, faculty, and staff packed Meister Hall Schwendler auditorium to meet the author. After an introduction by BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe, Ms. Wucker discussed the creative process of Why the Cocks Fight, sharing images of her journeys to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

“The students were really excited to meet the author of the book that they have been reading and thinking about all semester,” said Dr. Jillian M. Hess, Assistant Professor in the Department of English. “Wucker did a really great job explaining the history of how she wrote the book and the complicated social, political, and economic situation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.”

The event also included the announcement of the winners of the essay contest based on themes from the book. First Prize went to Hailyn Ayala, second to Julia Wang, with Daniel Pinckney placing third.

The Bronx Reads committee is chaired by Dr. Simone Rodriguez-Dorestant (Associate Dean, Academic Program), Dr. Monique Guishard (Associate Professor, Social Sciences) and Dr. Hess.

The campus-wide reading of Why the Cocks Fight and linked events will continue next semester.