What I’m Reading: ‘The Invention of Wings’

I believe that history, literature, and current events all contribute to insight into the understanding of human relationships, which is a huge part of higher-education administration. All three of those subjects converged in my reading of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.

This historical novel is based on the lives of the sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké in Charleston, S.C., in the early 1800s, and Sarah’s relationship with a young family slave, Hetty. The strength of character displayed by both Sarah and Hetty is inspiring as they both make difficult decisions that defy the mores and codes of behavior of their times.

This brought into my reflection the senseless killings in June in the Charleston church where Denmark Vesey, leader of a failed slave rebellion, had once been a member. Ms. Kidd wove Mr. Vesey’s story into her fictionalized account of part of Hetty’s life. The bravery of the Grimké sisters, Hetty, and Mr. Vesey was a strong theme throughout the book as they each fought for the cause of freedom against the status quo of slavery.

As administrators, we are often tempted to look at cold, hard data as the basis for decisions without giving equal weight to the human dimension. The Invention of Wings reminded me that courage and a commitment to justice are important traits of an administrator with integrity.

Jerome A. Gilbert is provost and executive vice president of Mississippi State University. In January, he will become president of Marshall University, in West Virginia.