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5 Responses to “ Rattle #31, Summer 2009 Now Available ”

Comments:

1. Cafais says:
   May 31st, 2009 at 4:31 am

   Tim:

   Why, in 2009, is a tribute to “African-American” poets necessary? I am a subscriber, and I read the two essays. Prof. Jones’s essay gives many examples of “black poetry”, but, understandibly, she avoids a real definition. To me, her point is that “black poetry” (whatever that may be) should be permitted to flourish. But I am sure that she would agree that the same argument should apply to all kinds of poetry. Interestingly, she seems to have mixed feelings about an issue devoted to black poetry – - perhaps remembering when poetry by black authors was segregated from other works.

   Prof. Somers-Willett’s essay seems to be designed to put “white” readers in an uncomfortable position. (The KKK metaphor was a little over the top, in my opinion. She seems to be saying that white readers need to be aware – - overcome? – - their own whiteness.) If her main point is that people of different races have different experiences/etc and that we should all appreciate those differences, then I guess I would be hard-pressed to disagree. However, I am not sure why there is such a focus on racial identity. Of course, everyone – - for many, many reasons – - has different experiences & viewpoints, and those differences can be enjoyed in their poetry. But, again, I ask, why the need for a tribute to poets of a particular racial identity? Isn’t life – - and poetry – - more profound than that?

   Thank you.

2. K says:
   June 1st, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   “But, again, I ask, why the need for a tribute to poets of a particular racial identity? Isn’t life – - and poetry – - more profound than that?”

   Absolutely. If only more human beings were able to honor this fact–MUCH sooner than the last 50 years of a what may be the oldest genre of writing, the need for a substantial period to revise and ultimately dismiss such an entrenched legacy of exclusion wouldn’t be necessary.

3. Tim says:
   June 1st, 2009 at 1:41 pm

   Thanks for joining the discussion — Cafais, that was a perfect segue to a post I needed to make. See today’s post for my response: http://timothy-green.org/blog/2009/06/why-tribute-african-americans/

4. Bettina says:
   June 1st, 2009 at 8:04 pm

   “Why, in 2009, is a tribute to “African-American” poets necessary?”

   How many of these poets do you know? Does the person next to you know? You may find your answer there.

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1. Pingback from Why Tribute African Americans? » Timothy Green
   June 1st, 2009 at 1:26 pm

   [...] a comment on last week’s very brief post, Cafais asks, “Why, in 2009, is a tribute to ‘African American’ poets necessary?&#8… It’s a very important question, of course — it asked the same as part of the [...]