Notes on a Blacklash: When a Black Woman Goes Viral
April Ryan presents *Notes on a Blacklash: When a Black Woman Goes Viral*, a personal examination of what happens when a Black woman becomes the focus of sudden, overwhelming public attention. Drawing on her experiences as a veteran White House correspondent, Ryan explores online misogynoir, the emotional and physical costs of viral scrutiny, and the struggle to reclaim one’s story when race, gender, identity, and power become part of a national spectacle. She will be joined in conversation by Norman L. Eisen.
Ryan considers several moments that made her a viral figure, including a contentious White House press-room encounter, as well as broader episodes involving Vice President Kamala Harris, Stevie Wonder, and the infamous “slap heard around the world.” The discussion will address visibility, political outrage, the policing of Black women’s voices and appearance, and the pressure of being watched by millions.
When: October 20, 2026
Showtimes: 7:00pm
Format: In-person event with a livestream option
Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tickets: Free
Seating: First come, first served
Featured speaker: April Ryan, White House correspondent, CNN political analyst, and Washington, DC, Bureau Chief for TheGrio. Ryan has covered urban issues from the White House since the Clinton era and has served on the board of the White House Correspondents Association. She is also the author of *The Presidency in Black and White* and *At Mama’s Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White*.
Conversation partner: Norman L. Eisen, who served as White House ethics czar and ambassador to the Czech Republic during the Obama administration and as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during the 2019–20 proceedings involving President Donald Trump. Eisen is the author or editor of several books on American democracy, ethics, law, and political history, and regularly appears as a legal commentator.
Event focus: Ryan’s book follows her experience of becoming the subject of viral attention and examines the scrutiny, bullying, cultural firestorms, and personal consequences that can follow. It also considers how Black women’s voices, hair, presence, and identities are politicized and treated as threats.
Accessibility: Requests for accommodations and accessibility inquiries should be sent to events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. The venue will make efforts to accommodate requests submitted up to the event time.
Related book: *Notes on a Blacklash: When a Black Woman Goes Viral* by April Ryan
Related book price: $28.00 for the hardcover edition, published October 6, 2026