The Poetry Fix News
| VOL. II, ISSUE 12 | March 21, 2004 |
Creating your own Renaissance (Harlem or otherwise)
I have often wondered where the Langston Hugheses, Claude McKays and Zora Neale Hurstons come from. I'm not talking about their families of origin or their home states. How did these artists come to be? These remarkable people are from a generation of poets, novelist, playwrights, painters, essayists, and musicians - most fondly called the Harlem Renaissance. This era (1919 – 1937) was a time of unprecedented creative energy. Don’t worry I’m not getting all 20th century history on you. But I do wonder what allowed for these folks to be taken to their highest heights as it relates to their work? What was it like to be fully immersed in that time?
I often sit around with my friends and discuss the Harlem Renaissance. I know that sounds pretentious but it's true. I guess we are weird like that. I think we are in love with the romantic notion of the kindred spirits that must have existed back then. As much as the Harlem Renaissance was about the large bodies of work that were produced, I think it was equally about community. Having a support network, a place where you and what you did best would be nurtured. I could totally be off base but its my theory – go build your own.
In my day to day life, I look for those moments of community and recently I'm learning how to make my own. One of my artist friends knows exactly how to go about building community. Just this weekend, I was at the home of the beautifully bald poet and visual artist Edith Corra (and her hysterically funny partner, Denise). She decided to throw a Vagina Monologue party. Only Edith could pull this off. They converted their living room into a wonderful little theatre complete with a stage (chairs in front of their steps). Edith along with three women (me included) read from a series of monologues. Mind you, there had been no rehearsal and we were not aware that so many people would actually show up for our little “play”. In less than an hour we would cover the various subject matters that affect our vaginas and even pulled off an English accent. Go Edithpie!
Afterwards, we received a healthy dose of "ohmygawd that was great!". Just by Edith saying "wouldn't it be fun..." she had created an environment of support and possibility. When Edith originally asked me to be a part of her "bright idea", I was reluctant. Historically, I am not a person who reads well aloud. The main reason I memorize all my work. And y'all thought I was just being extra. But Edith convinced me I would be all right and we would find a piece that matched my style. She was right. I was fine. I was flattered that Edith thought of me when she decided to do her homemade monologues and touched that she took the time to quiet my fears.
If you are not lucky enough to end up in Edith and Denise's living room there are tons of opportunities to create the space and community that will support you. Plant a flag and stake a claim on how you would like to live your artist life and who you want in it. Start collecting folks who are like-minded in their regard for creativity but diverse enough that they express it in various ways. Find places that support that creative artist self that you are or that you are becoming. It’s all good and well to have those innate/God given skills but I think it’s important that we cultivate and expand on those skills so that we don’t become stagnant or a “one trick pony”.
Hold a literary salon in your living room or start an open mic. Take your poetry to the streets (like the DC Guerilla Poets) or start a writing circle. Do whatever it takes to surround yourself with folks who will tell you if that last poem, song, painting was lazy or crap or genius.
Now remember this is not all about you. It's equally important that we help cultivate each other. That we pass on opportunities, that we collaborate, that we recognize that there is no reason to “arrive” by yourself. I think that’s why the Harlem Renaissance was so remarkable.
That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.
It feels like this edition is bursting at its seams. There are all kinds of new stuff. Please continue to send your events. Without you, I would have nothing to report:). There is an archive link for those new to the site or those who might have missed an issue or two. The lie I'm telling is that I will be expanding the archive over the next few weeks. That's of course right after I clean my basement, finish this grant I am working on, show up and be magnificent at my day job and finish this play I'm suppose to be writing. Basically, I'll let y'all know when I've mustered the discipline and focus to add to the archive:)
ThePoetryFix is a free service to the community. If you have an ad or event you want me to post just send it my way. I continue to add "out of town" events. We got stuff for folks in Detroit, Cali, and NYC in this edition.
Now go on and dive in to all the possibilities for the week!
Michelle
She asks me why I only write of sad things.
I tell her I only write the truth.
And when joy enters my life
then I'll write about that.
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