Learning Through Laughter: Trinity Students Take in Conversation at Connecticut Forum
Trinity College students recently attended a discussion hosted by The Connecticut Forum called “On Pop Culture, Comedy, and Change,” featuring author Roxane Gay and comedian-writer Amber Ruffin. The October 8 event at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Hartford was moderated by award-winning podcast and radio host Sam Sanders.
The Connecticut Forum, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization that engages with leading thinkers, artists, and cultural icons through live and unscripted conversations. Trinity is an education partner of the Forum, supporting its mission to encourage the free and active exchange of ideas.
Gay is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and the author of several acclaimed books, including Ayiti, An Untamed State, the New York Times bestselling Bad Feminist, the nationally bestselling Difficult Women, and the New York Times bestselling Hunger.
Ruffin is a writer, executive producer, and host of the WGA Award-nominated series The Amber Ruffin Show and is an Emmy- and WGA Award-nominated writer and performer for NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers.
At the Forum, Gay and Ruffin had a conversation about their thoughts on pop culture, representation, art, and the stories that shape them and the world. Sanders asked Gay when she realized she was a writer. “I loved reading, and I always thought it would be amazing to be able to write the kinds of stories that I love so much in the books I was reading,” she said.
Gay added that she sometimes struggles with the world as it is today. “I am trying to balance staying informed without overwhelming myself,” she said. “I just try to read my news and then recognize that there is more in the world that is happening. I try to ask myself: what can I do that is not going to contribute to this terrible atmosphere that might somewhat make it better?”
Ruffin was asked by Sanders about how she keeps her comedy consistent in a changing world. “I will hear some news, I’ll hate it, and then I’ll write a sketch about it, and then I’ll feel better. So I’ve always had that outlet,” she said.
Ruffin also highlighted the importance of human interaction in an increasingly digital world. “People should talk to people and not feel afraid of being embarrassed, and you should feel embarrassed often because it’s fun,” she said.
Trinity students were brought to the event by P.R.I.D.E. (Promoting Respect for Inclusive Diversity in Education) Program Coordinator and Cultural House Supervisor Jared Delane, Women & Gender Resource Action Center (WGRAC) Director Laura R. Lockwood, and Director of Multicultural Affairs Julissa Pabon, in collaboration with the College’s Office of Community Relations. Prior to going to the Forum, Trinity students had dinner together at Hartford’s Parkville Market.
Lockwood said that the students gained a lot from the discussion. “It touched and inspired everyone, while strengthening our student leaders’ belief in their potential. We all benefit from learning, laughing, and being challenged together,” Lockwood said.
Pabon said, “Roxanne Gay and Amber Ruffin created a space for students to continue to learn and provide them tools to be their authentic selves in all spaces. Gay and Ruffin lead in such an unapologetic way, and we want to teach our students to continue to be leaders on campus and in the broader community.”
Delane added, “Events like these not only serve as educational opportunities, but also align with all of our offices’ goal of encouraging students to explore the Hartford community and what it has to offer.”
Students who attended the Forum reflected on the conversation between Ruffin and Gay, which encouraged them to think deeply about representation, identity, and the power of storytelling.
Kamille Anaya ’27 said, “I think it was a needed discussion and I’m glad they pushed the boundaries.” Anaya added that she enjoyed how Gay and Ruffin were able to lighten the atmosphere even while they were discussing difficult topics. “I’m glad they highlighted some fun stuff to get our minds off the negative aspects, to remind us that we need to be positive and grateful,” said Anaya.
Juan Rayo ’27 also appreciated his first Connecticut Forum event. “It was such an inspiring event. … Their conversation was able to make the viewers consider many topics,” he said. “It made me realize that there are many injustices in this country. There are so many that sometimes we don’t even perceive them, so it’s important to have people like Gay and Ruffin whose conversations sometimes make people uncomfortable.”
The Connecticut Forum’s season continues on November 20 with “On Democracy and the Future of the Parties,” featuring Pete Buttigieg in conversation with Jonah Goldberg. For more information, click here.
