Author: Amandine

I attended a very interesting event on poetry titled “Reading by Hai-Dang Phan” in Old Main Colloquium 220. It was presented by Hai-Dang Phan, who was intriducted to the public by Professor Danica Savonick. She introduced him as a great author who holds a PhD in literary studies from the University of Wisconsin and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Florida. He also is the author of a poetry collection, Reenactments, published by Saravan in 2019, and the translator of Phan N. Then, when he started to speak, we could learn that he was born in Vietnam, and became a refuge at two years old. He spent his childhood living in Wisconsin, in a majority white people small town. Because of his origins, he explained that he felt a little bit rejected and used this pain into his poems. He said that his books are kind of inheritance, and that lots of poems relating about the past and legacy.

During this presentation, Hai-Dang Phan read several of his poems to us. He delved into his first work, which represents for him a memory of his childhood as well as all the stories he heard. His inspiration is regularly drawn from the artists he admires, such as a famous photographer whose name does not come to mind. For each poem he read (there were six or seven taken from the first book and a few also from his new collection, if I remember correctly) he took the time afterwards to offer the public an in-depth explanation and detailed description of the latter and the motivations which pushed him to write it. Unfortunately, I will not be able to go back over each of the poems he read because it would be too long, but overall, the recurring theme of his poems is childhood, memories. On the other hand, I chose to present in my review, the poem that touched me the most and that I remembered the best. This poem is called “King Fisher” and the verse that stood out me the most was “I remember, watching you, watching the river, I sense new depth in the meaning of the world”. I found this poem quite different from the others, and the thing that attracted me the most was the fact that it talks about nature within. Indeed, he confides that he is captivated by birds, and what is funny is that he reveals to us that it took him a while before agreeing to write about birds. I remember he asked to the audience who was a “bird watcher”, to try to feel less alone or even ridiculous who knows. This was rather surprising and unusual in his previous poems, but this poem really appealed to me precisely because of its originality and especially because of the fact that the author slips into the skin and into the mind of a bird in trying to interpret his thoughts and really got inspired by this bird, he was really guided by this bird, as shown in the quote I noted above, this bird allowed him to find meaning in things. In short this poem was very interesting, I highly recommend anyone interested to read it.

Ultimately, this event was very interesting and I was really happy to attend it. The gentleness of hang.. as well as the beauty of his writing, his compassion and his fight against discrimination, make his poems real life lessons. It is very pleasant to listen to the author read his poems because it allows you to have the right tone, and all the emotion that it gives off. In the future, I think I will certainly read his new collection because the few poems that he read from it captivated me a lot.

Tuesday, February 13th, I attended a conference titled “The musical expression for African American Lived Experience”, covering African-American music. This conference was presented by Professor Lewis Rosengarten who is a music professor at SUNY Cortland. His presentation was very interesting and his speech was brilliantly supported by examples of music with the intention of introducing us to African American music and recognization of this community work. His presentation was very interesting and his speech was brilliantly supported by examples of music with the intention of introducing us to Afro-American music. During this conference, he chronologically  explored the evolution of African-American musical styles from the time to the nowadays, including spirituals, gospel, ragtime, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and rap, in order to show the impact on this music on the African-American community. Today, I find it interesting to briefly retrace the main aspects of the musical styles he described. 

First of all, he stared talking about Spirituals, that were crucial for African Americans as they provided a means of expressing faith, hope, and resistance during the period of slavery. They served as a form of communal expression, offering solace and strength in the face of oppression. Spirituals allowed enslaved Africans to preserve cultural identity, communicate coded messages, and assert their humanity. They provided a sense of connection to their African roots while adapting to the new realities of life in America. Then, he made the transition between Spirituals and Gospel music. Gospel emerged from African-American churches and became a cornerstone of religious and cultural life. It served as a source of inspiration, comfort, and empowerment, reflecting the enduring faith and resilience of the community. Gospel music played a pivotal role in shaping African-American identity and fostering a sense of unity and solidarity. Its blend of Christian hymns with African musical traditions provided a platform for spiritual expression and communal worship. Furthermore, based on the listening of “Swipesy catwalk” by Scott Joplin, he talked about Ragtime music, saying that it emerged in the late 19th century as a synthesis of African rhythms, European melodies, and American popular music. It provided opportunities for African-American musicians to showcase their talent and creativity. Ragtime represented a form of cultural fusion and innovation, challenging racial stereotypes and paving the way for future generations of African-American musicians. Its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies captured the spirit of the time and influenced the development of jazz and other genres. Later, he discussed about blues, a music style originated in the Mississippi Delta among African-American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It served as a means of expressing the joys and sorrows of everyday life, offering a cathartic outlet for emotional expression. The blues provided a voice for marginalized communities, articulating experiences of hardship, love, and loss. Its raw emotion and honesty resonated with audiences worldwide, influencing the development of jazz, rock and roll, and other genres. Continuing with Jazz, he explained that it emerged in the early 20th century as a fusion of African rhythms, European harmonies, and American innovation. It became a symbol of cultural expression and artistic freedom, challenging conventions and pushing boundaries. Jazz provided African-American musicians with a platform for improvisation, collaboration, and self-expression. It reflected the spirit of innovation and resilience within the community and served as a catalyst for social change and cultural exchange. Moreover, he discussed about R&B saying that it evolved from the blues and gospel traditions in the mid-20th century, incorporating elements of jazz, rock and roll, and soul music. It became synonymous with the African-American experience, reflecting the joys and struggles of urban life. R&B provided a soundtrack for social and cultural movements, capturing the spirit of post-war America and the civil rights era. Its infectious rhythms and soulful vocals influenced popular music around the world, shaping the sounds of Motown, funk, and hip-hop. It provided a voice for disenfranchised youth, addressing issues of poverty, racism, and inequality. Finally, he finished his presentation talking about Rap music, explaining that it became a powerful tool for self-expression and activism, empowering African-American communities and challenging mainstream narratives. Originated in the Bronx in the 1970s as a form of street poetry and social commentary,  its rhythmic delivery and lyrical complexity showcased the creativity and resilience of hip-hop culture, inspiring generations of artists and activists.

Overall, I really liked this presentation because it allowed me to learn more about musical styles and their origins. Passionate about music, particularly jazz and R&B, I really liked the passion he conveyed during his conference through his energy and his tone which was very cheerful. The thing that surprised me the most, I think, is the fact that R&B appeared so early (mid-20th century), when I thought it was a musical style specific to the 90s.

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, verbal or non-verbal slights or insults that communicate derogatory or negative messages to marginalized groups. These actions can be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristics. Derald Wing Sue, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University, is a leading expert in this area. In one of his previous articles, Wing Sue discussed microaggressions from a more racial perspective. However, he has decided to focus his study more on microaggressions within the female community as well as the gay community. Through his article Microaggressions : more than just race, he chooses to debate microaggressions in everyday life. He then shares his knowledge on microaggressions by clearly explaining to us what it is about. He then highlights several perspectives that he considers essential by firstly affirming that most well-intentioned White Americans have inherited racial biases that exist outside their conscious awareness. He also shows that microaggressions are verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults that communicate hostile messages to marginalized people. In his work, Sue has highlighted that microaggressions are not always overt or intentional acts of discrimination but can still have a significant impact on individuals’ mental health and well-being. 

Through his article, the author chooses to stage situations in order to denounce malicious and discriminatory behavior. In fact, the latter chooses to highlight situations and daily prejudices which seem almost insignificant but which, on the contrary, are offensive for the person concerned. It is possible to use one of the examples of situations, that he gave in the article, to show all the injustice and discrimination that is found there. In the “gender microaggressions” section, Wing Sue confronts us with the following situation: “A female physician wearing a stethoscope is mistaken as a nurse. (Hidden message: Women should occupy nurturing and not decision-making roles. Women are less capable than men).” Even if at first glance the action of confusing the profession of nurse and doctor might not shock and be perceived as a harmless act, in reality here Wing Sue proves that it is quite the opposite and that behind certain thoughts and words there is always a hidden message. Indeed, here, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and biaises about gender roles and professions. Such assumptions are based on outdated and discriminatory beliefs that certain professions are more suitable or natural for women, while others are reserved for men. This assumption reinforces the stereotype that nursing is a female-dominated profession, while medecine is primarily for men. It disregards the reality that women can and do excel in various fields, including medicine, and can hold positions of authority and expertise as doctors. Additionally, it undermines the accomplishments and qualifications of women in medecine by assuming they hold lower-ranking positions. Such assumptions can contribute to a hostile work environment for women in male-dominated fields like medecine, where they may already face challenges related to gender discrimination, bias and lack of recognition for their contribution.  

Furthermore, Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine, also relates about microaggressions, particularly those directed at women because it bare a series of everyday encounters that illustrate the experiences of microaggressions faced by the protagonist, who is a black woman navigating various social contexts in America. These encounters, though seemingly mundane on the surface, carry significant weight due to their implications and the racial dynamics at play. She experiences subtle acts of exclusion, such as being overlooked or dismissed in social situations. These acts may seem minor, but they contribute to a sense of otherness and marginalization. She also experiences microinvalidations and gaslighting, where her experiences of racism are minimized or denied by others. This gaslighting can take the form of well-intentioned but dismissive comments like “I’m sure they didn’t mean it that way” or “You’re overreacting.” These responses invalidate her experiences and feelings, contributing to a sense of isolation and frustration.

In conclusion, Wing Sue as well as Rankine are fighting against microaggression by trying to immerse ourselves in a discriminatory situation in order to represent to ourselves what discriminated people experience and thus allows a radical awareness. 

Discussion questions :

What role do bystanders play in addressing and preventing microaggressions against women? How can individuals intervene effectively to support victims, challenge harmful behaviors, and promote environments of respect and equality?

How do microaggressions targeting sexual orientation impact the daily lives and experiences of gay individuals? How do these subtle forms of prejudice contribute to feelings of marginalization, alienation, and stress within the LGBTQ+ community? 

Works cited :

Derald Wing Sue, Microaggressions : More than just race

Claudia Rankine, Citizen : An American lyric (Graywolf 2014)

Hi, I’m Amandine, I’m nineteen and I’m a French exchange student. I live in Tours near Paris but I actually study in La Rochelle University on the west coast of France. In my country, I study French literature and here my major is English. I love doing lots of activities. I am a tennis player and I am playing the piano for 14 years (I even give piano lessons outside of courses in La Rochelle). My father is Sicilian so I love Italian food. I think that my favorite movie is Top Gun directed by Tony Scott and my favorite book Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen.