Podcast: On Allen Ginsberg

This podcast by Natalia Flores and Hudson Hooton, explores themes of social change, industrialization, and liberation in Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”. We start by introducing the poem and giving a quick contextual overview of the beat generation. The beat generation was a post-war cultural and literary movement that consisted, generally, of reactions to being “beaten” down by the conformity of the 1950s. We then take a critical look at Ginsberg’s own positionality with his stance as a voice for downtrodden people and marginalized groups. Through close reading, we analyze his anti-establishment literary polemic against societal norms. He aptly critiques an oppressive and unaccepting society marred by the new changes of industrialization. On the other hand, the poem is slightly masturbatory and self-aggrandizing. He places the speaker—himself for all intents and purposes—on a moral high ground. He also casts himself as a martyr for persecuted groups he decides to stand up for. 

 

Through some supplementary research, we discovered that Allen Ginsberg is a member of NAMBLA. The North American Man / Boy Love Association is an organization that advocates for the acceptance and legalization of adult-child sexual relationships. Allen Ginsberg was a self-described member and defender. As part of our research, we watched Chicken Hawk: Men Who Love Boys, a documentary directed by Adi Sideman. The film interviews several members of NAMBLA, who unapologetically wax poetic about their romantic interest in children. While repulsive and difficult to watch, the documentary gives a direct insight into the organization with which Ginsberg, who makes an appearance in the film, associates. The presence of these fringe and predatory organizations in counter culture poetry or liberation movements detracts from their positive impact. We discuss the idea of separating the art from the artist, but ultimately conclude that it is impossible to disentangle  Howl from Ginsberg, when considering how some lines of his poetry align with his problematic nature.

 

Works Cited

 

Pearl, Mike. “Whatever Happened to NAMBLA?” VICE, 24 Mar. 2016, www.vice.com/en/article/7bd37e/whatever-happened-to-nambla.

Welcome to there week: Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”

“Howl” written by Allen Ginsberg is a poem that was created post world war II. The poem was divided into three sections, and it is written in a free verse style. In the first section, Ginsberg states, “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness.” From this, he is describing the emotional and mental suffering endured by those around him, whom he views as the most sensitive and creative individuals of their time. Ginsberg argues against the materialistic and conforming nature of society that limits their creativity and freedom. He describes the struggle, disillusionment and madness experienced by them, presenting bleak picture of a society that fails to recognize their value. The second section of the poem discusses a more confessional tone. Ginsberg uses his own experiences, using examples of times from his own life and observing those around him. He explores themes of sexuality, discussing both heterosexual and homosexual relationships, arguing the with the norms and restrictions placed on sexual expression during the time. Ginsberg uses the final section to tie everything together and bring all of the images and voices, combining both political and social criticism. Ginsberg touches on themes such as religion, spirituality and searching for meaning in a world he views as devoided of genuine relationships and connections. He discusses themes of alienation and looks for the need to strike back with rebellion against societal norms and institutions that dont allow for creativity and individuality. Howl recognizes the feelings of individuals during this period who felt alienated from mainstream society. The 1950’s and 1960’s was a period for the ciivl rights movement and Howl beautifully captures concern for social justice.

Question 1: how does ginsberg celebrate modern society with howl?

question 2:what is ginsberg’s attitude towards religion?

question 3: how is ginsberg’s tone in the poem?

Stairwell Podcast FEAT Kevin / Ryan C / Carty

 

Hey, we did the stairwell podcast again.

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Hosts Kevin Perolli, Ryan Chowdhurry, and Carty Caruso delves into the rich and diverse literary landscape, exploring four remarkable works: No-No Boy by John Okada, Everything Everywhere All at Once, American Sunrise by Joy Harjo, Project 562 by Matika Wilbur, and We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks.

 

At first, we discussed the class trip to see the play: Quarter Rican.  Since there was a sense of different themes of Masculinity and Identity, the experience really fit in well with the rest of the discussion. 

 

The next discussion begins with a deep dive into No-No Boy by John Okada.  We examined Okada’s portrayal of the internal struggles faced by the protagonist as a No-No Boy who refused to pledge loyalty to the United States. The book’s exploration of identity, belonging, and the aftermath of wartime injustice serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting effects of historical trauma.  We then compared No-No Boy to Everything Everywhere All at Once, a visually stunning film that embraces the concept of multiverse and interconnectedness. The host reflects on the film’s ability to weave together various narratives, blurring the boundaries of time, space, and personal histories. Through its inventive storytelling, the film encourages audiences to consider the vast possibilities of existence beyond conventional frameworks.

 

The conversation then turns to American Sunrise, a powerful poetry collection by Joy Harjo, the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States. The host delves into Harjo’s profound reflections on indigenous experiences, spirituality, and the healing power of storytelling. The collection stands as a testament to resilience, cultural revival, and the enduring spirit of Native peoples.

 

Next, the podcast examines Project 562 by Matika Wilbur, a captivating visual project that aims to photograph and document Native American tribes across the United States. The host emphasizes the project’s significance in countering stereotypes and giving voice to Native communities. Through stunning portraits and personal narratives, Wilbur’s project challenges preconceived notions and fosters a deeper understanding of Native American culture and identity.

 

The episode concludes with a discussion on We Real Cool, a seminal poem by Gwendolyn Brooks. The host unpacks the poem’s themes of rebellion, identity, and societal marginalization, as well as the powerful commentary it offers on the struggles faced by Black youth. The poem’s succinct yet evocative style underscores Brooks’ mastery as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of a generation.

 

Overall, this podcast episode provides a captivating exploration of these literary works, shedding light on the diverse voices, experiences, and narratives that contribute to the tapestry of American literature.

 

Works Cited

Brooks, Gwendolyn. We Real Cool, 1959.

Everything Everywhere All at Once. Directed by DANIELS, A24, 2022.

Harjo, Joy. An American Sunrise, 2019.

Hernandez, Gabriel. Quarter Rican, 2023.

Okada, John. No-No Boy. New York, New York, Penguin Books, 2019.

Wilbur, Makita. Project 562, 2022.

Reflection on MLK/FBI film

Recently I sat down and watched MLK/FBI, a film depicting the FBI’s venture in trying to strike down Martin Luther King and his movement by revealing his private life to the world, to try to show everyone that he wasn’t as righteous a leader as he seemed, as well as the conspiracy surrounding the idea that the FBI set up MLK’s assassination.

Early in the film, it is noted that one FBI personnel said that after the March on Washington, “We must mark him now as the most dangerous Negro in the future of this nation…” continuing to say that they had the resources at their disposal. As the film goes on, it becomes evident that the FBI began to spy on King by implanting wiretaps in the places he resided in and in this endeavor, they attempted to full expose King’s excursions and what he did behind the curtain, most interesting is that this was all green lit by JFK. At one point they show an interview with King, and I can’t help but admire his level of perspicacity. The gravity of the situation left no room for a mistake when these higher powers are involved and this man stared the greatest evils in the face and did not back down in the slightest, even saying that he now knows that one day whites and blacks will come together, even after he is gone. As the film progresses, you can see the that the J. Edgar Hoover, the first Director of the FBI, was truly obssessed with trying to take down MLK, as he mobilized all his units and resources into anything and everything that MLK did. The FBI would drop everything and follow MLK if he would go to another city in an attempt to garner more evidence of hipocrasy.

 

I already revered King and his movement, but being reintroduced to this point in history, he’s garnered a newfound respect from me, especially in a time like now where unity is needed more than ever. History repeats itself in so many ways, and it is evident that it is almost impossible for a man with a controversial motus operandi to live life unscathed or untouched. There is a point in the film where the FBI sends him a package with a letter attatched berating him and urging him to kill himself, with a 34 day deadline and saying that he is “done” after being given chances at being a good leader. I found this nerve-wrecking, mostly because this is our actual history and I cannot even begin to imagine being sent a letter like this by one of the most powerful organizations in the world, especially in such a heated time period as the 1960s. This film was amazing and I encourage everyone to check it out.

 

https://video-alexanderstreet-com.remote.baruch.cuny.edu/watch/mlk-fbi

 

Sam Pollard: Harman Writer Event

This semester’s Harman Writer in Residence is Sam Pollard, filmmaker, editor, producer and screenwriter. I did not know who Sam Pollard was before the event, so it came much to my surprise when I found out he is a Baruch alum.

At the event, Pollard discussed how he got involved in the film industry, being at Baruch, and what it takes to be passionate about something, and how much work and time that can take. Since Baruch has the reputation of being a business school, and not necessarily giving ample space to students who want to pursue creative careers, it always interesting to hear about people who pursue the arts against a backdrop of functionality and practicality. Pollard discussed being the protege of another filmmaker, and how at the beginning of his career, he was regarded as not being as skilled or as weathered as other people who edit. Pollard attributes that sort of pushback as one of his motivators for improving his editing skills.

As an English and Communications major at Baruch, it’s wonderful to see someone who was able to pursue their passion and have a successful career, able to come back and give back to the space that allowed them to pursue their creative endeavors.

Harman Program holds discussion with writer and Baruch alum Sam Pollard

Class Trip Reflection: Crumbs from the Table of Joy

On April 1st, we went to see Crumbs from the Table of Joy, which explored the lives of a Black family whom have recently moved from Florida to Brooklyn after the death of the matriarch of the family, as Ernestine’s father searches for spiritual guidance from a teleevangilist, Father Divine. Against the backdrop of the polarizing socio-political issues of the 1950s, the family attempts to navigate love, religion, freedom, what it means to be Black in Brooklyn, and politics, after Aunt Lily arrives, and changes the minds of Ernestine and Ermina, and reminds Godfrey of his past.

I thought the way the play used color was interesting at different points. When Aunt Lily is first introduced to the audience, she is wearing a bright red women’s dress suit, which stands out from the dreary browns and beiges, and light yellow/oranges that the other characters wear. This was also noticed when Gerte has her fantasy sequence wearing a gold sparkly dress, and is performing. It is revealed that she actually has a very interesting past, and is a compelling woman with many interests and care for the family. This is also seen when Lily wears a bright yellow jacket in the rain and Ernestine’s bright white dress, or when Ernestine and Ermina begin to dress as girls of Brooklyn, wearing brighter colors. The use of color is certainly integral and I think it attempts to point out the emotions, moods and tempers of each character. The red Aunt Lily wears fits perfectly with her approach to life which deviates from the norm, as well as Ernestine’s white dress, that represents tradition and goodness.

environmental justice art

for this blogpost i’m going to be discussing my job, which happens to be a junior staff member of the staten island urban center. we’re a non-profit organization, and part of our tasks include participating in and leading environmental justice-based art projects to inform people about the state of our planet. for example, i was to write a song about climate change and how our actions are impacting our planet. the lyrics are as follow (incomplete):

living on a sphere that’s blue and green

so driven by greed

we neglect our planet’s needs

purposefully mistreating earth to benefit the economy

corrupt human machines

fracking leaves nature so bruised

meat production releases fumes

greenhouse gases gonna make us lose

but we still gotta chance to reform and take away mother nature’s blues

to be better i will choose

i will

take shorter showers

turn off unused power

shop local for flour

plant trees fruits and flowers

do all in my power

to take care of our planet, oh

i will do all i must do

because if you’re nice to our mother

she will be kind, too

 in general we have a lot of events where we just talk about the state of our world or we work together and actively do something to help. for example, we’ve created murals and art projects which were displayed to demonstrate what we can and should do in order to help the  environment and heal our surrounding atmosphere as much as we can. i sadly don’t have any pictures, but the most recent example i can think of is our house on governors island, where we set up a lot of environment-based artwork using recycled materials to promote that we are a waterfront and for us to take care of the water quality as well (it’s almost like a walk-in gallery where we’ll hold free events related to positive ways to improve our relationship with nature, or crafts that will bring our community together).

additionally, in general there are many murals around nyc which promote environmental justice by various artists. there’s also a lot of artwork online which is an easier way to reach a larger audience quicker. lastly, lots of museums/ exhibits have been set up as well. here are links to a few that i have found online:

climate museum- https://climatemuseum.org/events

the gray-green divide- https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/mona_chalabi

the seaport museum climate art and climate science- https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/climate-art-science/

Quarter Rican

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a trip with the class to the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater to watch the play Quarter Rican. The play was about a man named Daniel, who is a young father and is struggling with the identity of his child, while dealing with his own identity issues. He struggles with his own perception of what it means to be a Puerto Rican kid living in a city that has changed and been gentrified. He comes to the realization in the end that what really matters is the kind of person you are. I feel that the issue of identity is something that many people struggle with, especially as cultures become more mainstream and integrated in our world. The struggle of what culture you belong to or if you meet some pre requisite to “fit in” is something that is still prevalent in people to this day, regardless of age or gender. However, the more important thing that should be focused on more than anything is the quality of how good a person is,

Climate Change Movies: 2012 and Interstellar

2012

Interstellar

 

When we think of Climate Change, we think of how the world might be towards the end of mankind. The Earth has been our home for billions of years it is the only planet we are capable of living. With the Ozone depletion and rising sea levels and presence of more greenhouse gases. Earth is expected to gradually become less livable. Loss of land and homes for people and humans as well as shortage of crops and animals will result in shortage of food sources for mankind. One movie that discusses such phenomena about the end of the world is the movie, “2012”. 2012 was a fantastic example of mass destruction leading to almost an end to mankind for which people had to resort to going onto a boat and restarting life. Another great example is the movie “Interstellar”. In Interstellar, the character Cooper leaves Earth with his team in search of planets that can be habitable with enough food and water supplies for mankind to settle. They go across different galaxies and planets in order to find a new home. The movie perfectly portrays how life might become for mankind if we do not take this issue seriously. Both movies predict the Earth to be potentially inhabitable which may one day become reality.

Quarter Rican

On Sunday, May 7th, we visited the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater and sat through the “Quarter Rican” play and musical. It is about this newly fresh father, Daniel, who is Puerto Rican married to his white girlfriend and he is in a dilemma because he wants his son to grow up embracing Puerto Rican culture and not be white-washed. He spends all his time worrying about this racial complex and forcing the baby to lean towards his father’s side more than his mother’s side, but what he doesn’t realize is that time is better spent teaching and raising the kid to be a good person. ‘As long as you raise a good man who becomes a good person.” and “as long as the kid knows where he comes from,” but doesn’t necessarily have to adopt all the norms and ways because maybe some might not work for him. 

I think that sometimes identity is not claimed but rather instilled in one when they’re little and they have the choice of expanding it or suppressing it. I compare it to religion because it’s something sacred and there is a saying and a question at the same time, “do you belong because you believe or you believe because you belong.” It basically means that when it comes to beliefs, most likely were influenced by those who raised us and we adopt their beliefs so we believe because we belong but as we grow older then that has the possibility of changing completely. We start to belong because we believe as sometimes people choose to change religions and convert. The same goes with identity, you are born into the world pure and innocent and personality-less and the environment around you develops you as a person so you have to perform accordingly if you would like to stay in that same environment. However, as you grow older you start to become more independent and realize you can make decisions for yourself so you have a choice to either remain in the same environment or distance yourself away from it.