The Michigan State University (MSU) Museum is thrilled to announce a collaboration with the MSU Libraries and various campus units to host distinguished author Curtis Chin in a discussion of his recently released memoir “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.” This special event will take place in the MSU Main Library Green Room on Feb. 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Curtis Chin, expressing his excitement about the upcoming event, stated, “I look forward to a great evening. There’s nothing I enjoy more than talking about food and Detroit!”
The evening promises a captivating experience with a facilitated discussion featuring Chin, a reading, and a book-signing session for his memoir. “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” explores Chin’s journey growing up in Detroit during the 1980s, his coming out experience, and the delicate balancing of life in a Chinese restaurant and the Chinatown community in Detroit.
MSU Libraries Dean Neil Romanosky expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s wonderful to be able to host Chin at the Libraries in partnership with the MSU Museum, as it allows us to work collaboratively in bringing diverse experiences to our shared community that are relatable in multiple ways, including through literature and art.”
Chin, a trailblazer and the co-founder of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop in New York City, has an extensive career that includes writing for network and cable television and contributing to social justice documentaries. His memoir, released on October 17, 2023, has already gained recognition, being named one of the Top 10 memoirs of the fall by Publisher’s Weekly and included in the 2024 Michigan Notable Books.
The event is in conjunction with the Food Fight! exhibition at the MSU Museum, on view through June 29, 2024. The exhibition invites visitors to explore the social, environmental, political, and economic relationships humans have with food, and to uncover the complex dynamics that shape our food systems. The event is co-sponsored by the MSU Museum, MSU Libraries, Office of China Programs, Asian Pacific American Studies Program, Department of English, The Writing Center, and Center for Gender in Global Context.
Devon Akmon, director of the MSU Museum, expressed anticipation about the event, stating, “We are energized by broadening our partnerships across campus to increase our impact on student and faculty success, and community engagement, redefining what it means to be a 21st century interdisciplinary museum.”
Admission is free, but tickets are limited. Reserve your spot now to be part of this enriching experience. Curtis Chin’s book will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow the discussion along with light refreshments.
More About Curtis Chin
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Curtis Chin has received numerous awards, including recognition from ABC/Disney Television, New York Foundation for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. His diverse writing has been featured in CNN, Bon Appetit, the Detroit Free Press, and the Emancipator/Boston Globe. His memoir, “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant,” is a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of 1980s Detroit.