Recent Comments
Re: “Poetry, politics, and pie”
Rochester Musician --
I believe the "only 3 white males" bit is intended as a statement of pride, as white men are traditionally already very well represented in american society, culture, politics, etc. I think what P&P does is provide a platform for people that are often marginalized.
Re: “Poetry, politics, and pie”
James -- when they're talking about safe and supportive networks, I'm fairly sure they're referring to small-to-medium-sized poetry scenes around the country, not to any kind of governmental system.
The full quote is, "Rakovan sees the annual retreat as an answer to the lack of a safe and supportive network for female poets who wanted to tour but could not in the way that male writers could without apprehension."
I think that's more of a commentary on the safety of women traveling alone and the misogyny present in the leadership at some poetry venues than any commentary on US arts grants.
Re: “Poetry, politics, and pie”
James --
You write: "When you get up to speak (or publish) you take your chances, including being "catcalled"."
In the article, I think she's talking about the day-to-day experience of women and the way that women are objectified by society. The catcalling mentioned is, I'm fairly certain, catcalling that occurs in the street and is independent of whether or not a woman is a poet. The writing retreat is partly about the specific craft of writing, but also about reclaiming identity.
"Poets have no constitutional right to acceptance, acclaim, love, or even a fair hearing."
I don't think anyone is making that claim. I think that the creators of P&P are creating a space of acceptance and love regardless of whether or not it's a constitutional right.