Toni Morrison's Lorain

Interview Introduction:

Olivia Medina is a third-year student at Lorain County Community College. She serves as President of Student Senate. She is also president of Phi Theta Kappa, the honors society on campus. She recently joined the Mandel Humanities to Career Program. The interview was conducted by Arieyauna Capers at LCCC's Bass Library on October 7, 2026.

Tell us your connection to Lorain.

I was born in Lorain County, and I live in North Ridgeville, which is about ten miles from Lorain. They are very different cities, though. I’ve attended events such as Lorain Fall Fest, and as students we also visit different places in Lorain. So I’ve had opportunities to see how the city differs from where I live.

What kinds of memories do you have of Lorain? When you hear the word “Lorain,” what comes to mind?

I think about its history and how diverse the city is because there are so many different kinds of people. Some of the buildings used to house manufacturing businesses that no longer exist. Lorain is an older city with a great deal of history behind it.

What works by Toni Morrison have you read?

I checked out a volume from the library that collected several of her books, so I was able to skim through and read portions of them. I noticed recurring themes throughout her writing, and her style is very distinctive. Her work deals a lot with resilience. Her books also explore race, identity, community, history, and family.

I also noticed that she moves between the past and present quite often. When I talked with other people about her writing, some said that this threw them for a loop and that they had to go back and reread earlier passages. I noticed that myself as well. You really have to think while reading her work. If you don’t take your time, you can get lost. When I slowed down and paid attention, though, the themes in her writing became much clearer to me.

Which of her books did you read most closely?

The Bluest Eye. The references to Lorain, along with the novel’s exploration of identity and local landmarks, really stayed with me.

Based on what you know about Lorain, would you say the city has changed?

Lorain used to have a strong employment base, especially through manufacturing. Unfortunately, now parts of the city seem more run down, and there are fewer job opportunities. One thing that I don’t think has changed, though, is its sense of community.

When did you first learn about Toni Morrison? And when you learned that she was from Lorain, what came to mind?

I first learned about Toni Morrison about a month ago in Professor Jewon Woo’s class. Learning about her has had a strong impact on how I read.

I was amazed that someone who came from Lorain could rise to such prominence and become so widely known for her writing. It made me think that if someone from humble beginnings could accomplish that much, then other people can too.

What do you hope people will take away from reading her work?

I would say that her writing is about much more than simply telling a story. It is about identity and community. Once you study her work, you begin to recognize many elements of Lorain in what she writes. I think that can encourage people to become more connected to their own communities.

What do you think Toni Morrison understood about Ohio that an outsider might miss?

The diversity, how community-oriented people can be, and the rich history of Lorain.

What interested you about participating in this interview?

I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn more about Toni Morrison and about the impact she has had on education.

If Toni Morrison walked through Ohio today, what do you think she would recognize?

I think she would recognize how divided society can be and how people sometimes seem less connected to their neighbors than they once were. I also think she would notice current debates about what history should be taught in schools. At the same time, I think she would still recognize how hardworking people in this region are.

Is there a book of hers that especially caught your attention and that you would like to read more closely?

I would say The Bluest Eye because it takes place in Lorain and because it addresses subjects that people often do not want to confront.

Is there anything you would like the audience to know about Toni Morrison?

If you haven’t read her books, I would encourage you to read them and learn more about both her and the city she came from. Her work can also help us understand difficult topics that people may otherwise avoid.

What would you say to someone who feels that their own life is comfortable and that they do not need to learn about difficult topics?

I would say that it is still important to understand difficult issues because history can repeat itself. If we are aware of these problems, we may be better prepared to recognize them and respond before they happen again. Issues involving race and identity have existed for a long time, so it is valuable to understand them even if they do not seem to affect us personally at the moment.