Seriously, we had lunch with Jimmy Santiago Baca today.
He was in the Bay Area to read and do a talk at Alameda County Juvenile Hall, and having previous experience working with incarcerated populations and poetry, Oscar managed to get himself in on the gig. Closed event, of course, so I suggested they come to Oakland and meet me for lunch.
Lots of great conversation, much of which centered around poetry, and in particular, American poetry written in the time of the Bush administration. He pretty much just came out and asked: so, what do you think of the political poetry that’s come out of the current administration?
Jimmy just sat and listened. He nodded his head through my gentle but borderline rant about many contemporary American poets never having considered thinking about or writing political poetry until 9/11 and the Bush administration, and that I don’t think much of it. Whereas “we” come from communities who’ve been writing poetry that is political ever since before our communities were literate in English. Because it has always been necessary for our communities, for our movements, against silence, and because it will continue to be necessary.
Much more good conversation was had; since Oscar got to read with him, Jimmy had many lovely things to say about Oscar’s writing and performance, most notably that Oscar lets his work do its work, that Oscar lets his work be, which I think is right on, and which I also think is an awesome thing to say.
And then I had to go back to work.
We might be seeing him again this weekend in Salinas.
Yep, I spent my lunch break breakin bread (actually, tortillas) with Jimmy Santiago Baca.
how awesome is life?
awesome, and then it got more awesome in salinas.