The other day in class my group was talking about how we all have different ways that we write, and this got me thinking about my own process of writing. Upon further thought, I realized that it’s not uncommon for me to get side tracked from my main point. Thinking about it in the context of this class, the closest thing I can relate it to is something that we’ve read about in both frenzy and in re: f(gesture). In both of these works, there’s mention of a labyrinth.
“Chicago”
“Chicago” is a first-person narrative that follows the life of a young African American man as he grows and matures living in Chicago. This piece was inspired by a film Sidney Poitier acted in called “The Defiant Ones” the critically acclaimed movie “Moonlight” . This piece follows this young man as he fulfills the unspoken prophecy that the system that was put in place long before his existence lays out. It deals with the idea of self-preservation and the personal responsibility that grows within a person over their life with some unintended circumstances. Along that same thread of thought, this piece also toys with the idea of existentialism being nonexistent as the main character doesn’t even try to justify the unjust actions that he commits.
Chicago
I come from a place where power is neither given nor granted, it is earned. Every day you must wake up with the will to survive by any means possible or else that will be the day everything ends. Our oxygen has long since been polluted by the sickly, scent of marijuana and the stench of dried liquor layered over our sidewalks. First birthdays and first loves are replaced with first wounds and first scars. Knowing that there is no way you can get out of that situation, knowing that you only have two options “KILL OR BE KILLED” you come to the realization that fear isn’t a luxury you’re allowed to have. That feeling of cold metal in your hand, that feeling of finally being able to control things around you, that feeling of having the power of life and death within your thumb and forefinger is something that can never be forgotten.
At the age of 8 I lost everyone I ever loved. My father died in a prison, fatally stabbed to death because of a petty squabble over a hundred dollars that he stole to buy cocaine. My mother was never the same after Dad left us, doing drugs to cope with the pain of the gaping hole left in her life without my him. One day I came home and I saw her on the couch with a needle jammed into her arm and I guess she never woke up. My sister died walking home from school when a single shot rang out from the car across from her, clipping her in her ligamenta flava leaving her paralyzed for the rest of her life. so when people ask me “How is your day, sir” I can’t help but wonder whether or not we come from the same universe.
So don’t bother to ask me why I wear this mask, don’t bother asking who I am. I am nothing besides a product of the system I was placed within. I attack and kill my own because it justifies why I even choose to live in this pitiful existence anyway. I hold up my black fist trying to show power when my actions show nothing but weakness. True power doesn’t require violence, boastfully parading about, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake, true power doesn’t feel the need to reassure others that it exists, lashing out whenever it feels threatened…. true power knows when to remain calm, carefully calculating every decision and weighing the consequences. I am not the face of power, do not fear me; I am not the face of crime, do not be afraid……I am the face of the one who lost himself.
A Few Pieces of My Own
To preface these next few posts, as we’ve all been reading these assigned pieces for class across the semester I’ve been directly inspired by the films, discussions and authors introduced to us to write my own work. In no way am I trying to compare myself to prestigious authors such as these but, I am trying to say that their art is at such a high tier that it made me feel as if I would do a dis-service to them if I don’t allow their art to speak through me. Shining through most prominently however is Sidney Poitier; whom before this class I had never heard of but after just dipping my toe into his world I couldn’t stop myself from going through a vortex of research about him. Reading transcripts from his interviews, watching films of his own and watching this man exude pride and passion about blackness, which although is starting to become more accepted now, to do such a thing was even just 70 years ago was almost unheard of, touched my spirit in a beautiful manner. All of the discrimination and oppression that he experienced from actors, filmmakers and award shows alike was constantly met by his personal conviction which was to let the art speak for itself.
For each piece that I publish I will provide context and speak about what specific aspect of the class inspired me to write about it. I hope you all enjoy!
Everett’s Logic
Logic is reasoning conducted by principles that provide validation. As a person logic deals with something you know is right. In Percival Everett’s poem, re:f(gesture), he has a topic titled “Logic”.
Everett goes about getting you to rethink about logic. On page 67 he states, “Are you a composite?… all of you at once, a simple element?”. You think a person is a simple idea that you know is right, it is an idea that is viewed valid, but Everett shows this is not the case. When you hear someone’s name do you see them all at once, just their appearance, or just personality. You have something in your head when you hear a name, however is this valid, and do you know what you are picturing? The next situation you see this faulty view of logic is on page 69 the poem titled 5, “From rags and dust a rat is formed in the cellar. It was not there before. Only rags and dust”. This situation is like picturing a person when you hear their name. When you hear rags and dust does your mind place a rat and or a cellar in the picture as well, even though you were not told they were there?
An End to a New Beginning
As we are moving towards the end of the semester we are either finishing up work or stressing over finals. Some maybe doing both as I am doing. Work piles up at many unexpected moments. I tried the best I could do to balance all my work for other classes, but even planning life down to the last minute could backfires. I was stressed and panicking because I have not done all my blog post and I was also getting new assignments from my other classes. During this period of stress I decided to watch a movie called, “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.
Out of Body Experiences
In the Bacchae, there is a feeling that I can only describe as overwhelmed. The maenads are overwhelmed. With ecstasy, with pleasure, with violence even.
As classes start to really heat up, I mean really, I’ve got like a billion tests and a paper due every other day. This same sense of being overwhelmed creeps up into my brain. However, unlike the pack of women, My being overwhelmed has little to do with sex and wine and a charismatic god. But similarly, it may turn out to be just as self-destructive. Continue reading “Out of Body Experiences”
Language in Zulus
In Everett’s piece, Zulus, he organized the his pieces alphabetically, each dealing with it’s own separate topic. However, there is definitely a distinct stress on language within the piece with the inclusion of other languages . For example in “F” there is the inclusion of latin, in “T” German and in “H” Greek. Being as that I speak Latin as soon as I saw these I immediately began my rough translation of the quotes, which I knew would give me more insight”
An excerpt of the piece states “finis coronat opus” which translates to the end crowns the work. This line precedes a line about Frankenstein which most people don’t know was actually the name of the doctor that created Frankenstein, not the monster itself. At the conclusion of the book “Frankenstein” which started the entire folklore of Frankenstein and his monster, the monster travels across the world trying to kill his creator because the monster feels deserted by his master after years of improper treatment and neglect. A few lines down it states “de donde cienos, amor, mi ninos” which translates to “Where are you from, love, my children”. I read this line from the point of view of a child who only knows of their parents as “mom & dad” rather than the real “person” behind their parents. These two lines together are so powerful because I believe that they perfectly summarize the plight of parenthood; although one innately loves their children because they are literally the fruit of your loins, you watched this “thing” literally grow up before your very eyes however when neglected, whether that be accidental or purposeful, a child’s love will turn to hate. Just as Frankenstein ended up regretting his decisions I believe that destitute parents all eventually realize that the most important thing that one can do for their children is just to be there
A gross structure
There is a belief that “all elements of human culture, including literature, may be understood as parts of a system of signs” called structuralism (Murfin 490). Structuralism can be seen in linking of different subjects through a commonality like in the form of alphabetical order, numerical order, and many more forms. However the signs in structuralism do not have to be so clean cut, but in fact it may be dirty, poop dirty.
Warning: There is a graphic image below and is not for the faint of heart. Continue reading “A gross structure”
Humanities vs Science
Science is defined as knowledge gained through the process of observations and experimentation. Hard science are these processes through the categories of physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy. Humanities is defined as the study of classical literature and languages. Categories and studies that fall under humanities are the study of literature, and philosophy.
Then there are stereotyped definitions of what many people think of when they hear these two studies, humanities and hard science. When many people think of humanities they base it as all opinions. The things that are learned are on discussion and opinion rather than fact based. While with sciences many think of this as only facts. Everything you learn is based on fact, no opinion and that these facts should not change.
In reality, both humanities and science, are fact and opinion based. For science we had to start somewhere in order to get the facts we learn today. Back centuries ago people first purposed an idea that was not originally there, nor did they know if it was true or not. For example, theories like the earth being round, and earth being tilted on an axis. After researching and discussing it, then years later ideas are finalized and proven right, creating the facts and knowledge we have today. Science starts as ideas and opinions on certain topics and then evolve to facts that are taught around the world. In humanities courses they provide you with facts that were once created, but then encourage the thought of you to think differently or to create something new. That is they key aspect that is different in science courses. They are based on just teaching you the information and facts and what you to memorize these facts. They do not teach and encourage you to think a different possibility as part of their course.
Humanities and science do not oppose one another, in the modern world, they are intertwined. Each of these studies and knowledge have a role of fact and opinion based. Next time you are in a course for humanities or a science, try applying not just one of these aspects, but both and encourage others to use facts to form opinions and ideas.
Time is a Choice
This semester, there weren’t a ton of rules surrounding our writing. We could write pretty much whatever we wanted as long as it related to class in some way shape or form. I think for a lot of people in my class this was exciting but for me personally it was anxiety inducing.
I think personally this is because throughout the larger part of my education most of writing was very structured. We were provided with specific topics and outlines and given a solid deadline. Even then, I occasionally struggled with my time management. It’s one of the trickiest things for me.