Join Florida Humanities’ Executive Director Nashid Madyun for a discussion on Toni Morrison’s book The Bluest Eye.

This 1970 novel follows Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl growing up in 1940s Ohio who desperately wishes she had blue eyes. The novel explores how racism, colorism, poverty, beauty standards, and family trauma shape Pecola’s understanding of herself. Pecola believes that having blue eyes would make her beautiful and lovable, reflecting the white-centered beauty ideals that surround her. She becomes increasingly convinced that her dark skin, brown eyes, and appearance are the reasons she is rejected and mistreated.

Ultimately, The Bluest Eye is a powerful critique of internalized racism and destructive beauty standards. Morrison asks readers to consider how prejudice can become so deeply embedded in a community that people begin to see themselves-and one another-through the eyes of the society that devalues them.

This program is part of our monthly virtual “Director’s Book Club,” where book lovers join Florida Humanities Executive Director Nashid Madyun for lively discussions on novels both new and old.