If Identity is claimed, it is in the terms defined by others. Considering the amount of terms that we use to establish self-identity, it is no wonder that many of our modern ills of the soul fall within the scope of "crisis of identity" or the searching for one’s self. While it is understandable that many look back to simpler times when "terms were terms" (so to speak), it is also clear that with a larger population more specialized, hyphenated terms of identity are required. And identity is established in terms of relationships. The "I" to "US". And if identity were simply a matter of defining specific relations, then definitions would establish your identity; case closed.
But identity changes as a function of our ever changing relations to others, and to really make it interesting, our relation to our perception of ourselves in relation to others. And in addition, the terms of identity measure different dimensions of the human experience, whether, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, language, customs, means of survival, lifestyles, Sometimes in coexistence, sometimes evolving, sometimes by circumstance, sometimes by choice and sometimes in confrontation. In addition there may be hierarchies of identity within the context of other identities. And underlining this search for identity, the need to belong, to be a part of a larger version of ourselves.
Self identification, the struggle of the individual to be known by terms that are defined by others, sometimes may sound like a romantic quest, but we know from our own experiences, that it is also a deadly quest. Not only can it hurt, it has been known to wipe out civilizations. Not only can it make you cry, it can kill you. Try claiming an identity which is defined by a group that does not accept your claim, even if it is made in good faith, in the certain belief that it is so. Try even explaining to who will not listen. I am not talking about rites of passage, or the new kid in town, or strangers passing by, and many other accepted forms of gradual acceptance. Try denying an imposed identity. As close as family or as distant as conquerors.
From name to origin to work/trade/craft to religion to nationality to language and many other measures of identity, ours (as in us, humans) is a story written in blood and love as much in the language of war as in the language of peace. A story still in progress, as new as today’s news, as old as our days upon this planet home of ours. But this story is unfinished, at least for now.
And what does this have to do with poetry?
I thought you’d never ask.
The poet (and poetry), a microcosmic reflection of the human condition also has its crisis of identity. After all, just trying to define poetry, you get stuck with the Who Says? and for Whom?, not only who does the defining but in what culture-nation-ethnic group. And when. Even within our lifetimes, definitions have changed. What is called a poem today was not then. Although in many ways what was then poetry, may remain so. The definition, as in all things creative, expands (inclusively, what a technologist would call backward compatible, I think), without discarding what is good and relevant. But there are many that look back to the imaginary simpler times (those days did exist, but our perception of them is not entirely accurate), and demand adherence to the "classical’ definitions. And in many ways (at least from my view) they are right if not correct. We do need definition or understanding in common of terms, we also need adaptability to change. The poet creatively uses words, with a meaning, in a form, for a purpose. The details of these factors are the poets domain. As is the final product, at least until it reaches the audience, who may or may not accept it.
And what does this have to do with the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
This is where the "poets" (and artists) of a new identity in formation, share their "art" with an audience that is receptive to the creative and inclusive expansion of the definition of art to reflect our quest for an inclusive identity. One based not on what you are, but one based on the creative expansion of our self-identity expressed in the language of ART.
Welcome Home.
Sam
In the Service of Poetry, Art and Community
[email responses and/or comments to: nuyoricanPC@netscape.net) or (nuyorican@mindspring.com; attn:Sam)
But identity changes as a function of our ever changing relations to others, and to really make it interesting, our relation to our perception of ourselves in relation to others. And in addition, the terms of identity measure different dimensions of the human experience, whether, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, language, customs, means of survival, lifestyles, Sometimes in coexistence, sometimes evolving, sometimes by circumstance, sometimes by choice and sometimes in confrontation. In addition there may be hierarchies of identity within the context of other identities. And underlining this search for identity, the need to belong, to be a part of a larger version of ourselves.
Self identification, the struggle of the individual to be known by terms that are defined by others, sometimes may sound like a romantic quest, but we know from our own experiences, that it is also a deadly quest. Not only can it hurt, it has been known to wipe out civilizations. Not only can it make you cry, it can kill you. Try claiming an identity which is defined by a group that does not accept your claim, even if it is made in good faith, in the certain belief that it is so. Try even explaining to who will not listen. I am not talking about rites of passage, or the new kid in town, or strangers passing by, and many other accepted forms of gradual acceptance. Try denying an imposed identity. As close as family or as distant as conquerors.
From name to origin to work/trade/craft to religion to nationality to language and many other measures of identity, ours (as in us, humans) is a story written in blood and love as much in the language of war as in the language of peace. A story still in progress, as new as today’s news, as old as our days upon this planet home of ours. But this story is unfinished, at least for now.
And what does this have to do with poetry?
I thought you’d never ask.
The poet (and poetry), a microcosmic reflection of the human condition also has its crisis of identity. After all, just trying to define poetry, you get stuck with the Who Says? and for Whom?, not only who does the defining but in what culture-nation-ethnic group. And when. Even within our lifetimes, definitions have changed. What is called a poem today was not then. Although in many ways what was then poetry, may remain so. The definition, as in all things creative, expands (inclusively, what a technologist would call backward compatible, I think), without discarding what is good and relevant. But there are many that look back to the imaginary simpler times (those days did exist, but our perception of them is not entirely accurate), and demand adherence to the "classical’ definitions. And in many ways (at least from my view) they are right if not correct. We do need definition or understanding in common of terms, we also need adaptability to change. The poet creatively uses words, with a meaning, in a form, for a purpose. The details of these factors are the poets domain. As is the final product, at least until it reaches the audience, who may or may not accept it.
And what does this have to do with the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
This is where the "poets" (and artists) of a new identity in formation, share their "art" with an audience that is receptive to the creative and inclusive expansion of the definition of art to reflect our quest for an inclusive identity. One based not on what you are, but one based on the creative expansion of our self-identity expressed in the language of ART.
Welcome Home.
Sam
In the Service of Poetry, Art and Community
[email responses and/or comments to: nuyoricanPC@netscape.net) or (nuyorican@mindspring.com; attn:Sam)