Crystal Simone Smith — Common Sense (1776), Addressed to Today's Citizens of America: An Erasure -with Gloria Browne-Marshall — at conn ave

Crystal Simone Smith presents *Common Sense (1776), Addressed to Today's Citizens of America: An Erasure*, a revolutionary work of erasure poetry that exposes the contradictions in Thomas Paine’s *Common Sense* and calls for a new, inclusive definition of citizenship. In this event, Smith—known for writing poetry about the human condition and social change—uses the power of redaction to revise Paine’s arguments, highlighting specific words and phrases to reveal new meanings that reflect the totality of America’s founding and the fragile democracy of the present. She will be in conversation with Gloria Browne-Marshall, an EMMY Award-winning writer, professor of constitutional law at John Jay College (CUNY), and author of *She Took Justice* and *The Voting Rights War*. The event is free and open to the public on a first‑come, first‑served seating basis, and a livestream option is available for those unable to attend in person.

When: Monday, July 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Showtimes: The event begins at 7:00 PM; no other showtimes listed.

Lineup: Crystal Simone Smith (author and poet) in conversation with Gloria Browne-Marshall (constitutional law professor and author).

Run time: Not specified in the provided materials.

Ages: Not specified; the event is open to all, with content suitable for students and US history buffs.

Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Tickets: Free admission with first come, first serve seating. No ticket purchase required.

Accessibility: To request accommodations, email events@politics-prose.com ideally one week in advance. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests up until the event time.

Note: A livestream is available for those who cannot attend in person; click the “LIVESTREAM” link on the event page to join. The event also features a related book, *Common Sense (1776), Addressed to Today's Citizens of America: An Erasure* (hardcover, $21.95, ISBN 9780807023389, available at the store).