I've dabbled in the blog world for some time now, about four or five years, to be exact. Sadly each time I started I ended up deleted it for lack of entries and lack of readership. This time I don't care. My blog isn't about trying to boost my writing career or appear to have a huge following like a Twitter account. I know almost no one will read this but that's fine with me. This blog is about me improving my discipline and writing skills.
If I were to meet President Obama.
If I were to sit down and meet with President Obama I would have to resist the urge to punch him in the face. Just because he is half-black doesn't make him my "brother." He is a dirty politician just like the rest of the people that run this country. I would tell him to reform education and make it possible for me and my peers to go to school without being debt for most of our adult lives. I would demand school to become more affordable and to increase opportunities in public schools. I personally think I got shafted in attended NYC public schools. When I first went to college I realized the gap between me and my new peers was staggering. I felt as if I almost went from junior high school straight into a bachelors program. I say that now because even after graduating I still have no focus and no desire in any sort of profession. I chose Creative Writing because I liked to read and I had a crush on a girl that did Slam Poetry in high school. It turned out I was somewhat good at it and I had experience on stage from drama so I stuck with it. I have since become disillusioned with Slam Poetry because anyone can talk with emphasis and a hip-hop twang, but in the end it boils down to who lived a life closest to the main character in "Precious" to get the sympathy vote.How can I compete against a poem about a personal experience with rape, it makes my poem about educational reform or love seem trivial. So, at the end of the day I am writing in this to see if I truly want to be a writer and see if I really have what it takes. Does anyone really care what I have to say? Do I have stories that need to be told? Is my imagination enough to keep you interested? I don't know but I will continue to write in this blog until something better comes along...
Hey Nick! Glad to see you posting again! Ya know I have never gotten the impression that Obama is trying to be anyone's brother and while I agree with many of your frustrations I also recognize how delicate things are. If anyone was elected in office who radically shifted our priorities in this country there sure as hell wouldn't be anyone else like them in office come next term, or at least that is what seems likely. I've been thinking about what you said about Slam Poetry. It reminds me of what happens in literature and music intended for black audiences as well as popular culture in general. I heard a producer who worked with the songwriter Nick Drake say that he was an exception because generally he has no interest in what a college educated middle class white boy has to say. Its amazing to me how blatantly people place authenticity on skin color, economic class, and lack of education. Please keep writing! Your post are always insightful and I look forward to reading more! Oh and here is the link to that interview. http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org.programs/2010/black-and-universal/ The poets name is E. Ethelbert Miller. I really like what he has to say.
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