"BLOG"

By Jad Fakhoury

[jad-fakhoury]

Mentor Poet Post #6

In this poem, “HOW CAN BLACK PEOPLE WRITE ABOUT FLOWERS AT A TIME LIKE THIS”, Hanif Abdurraqib writes in a way that almost surprised me since this poem was not very similar to the other poems I have read by him in this poetry book, A Fortune for Your Disaster. Despite this, the title is one he has used before in other poems and it continues to provoke thought as you have to ask yourself, what are the “times” and is he referencing how black people are treated in America, today. To start, Aburraqib begins the poem by personifying the main idea or “thing” of the poem which is the blues. He says, “maybe all the blues requires is a door through which a person can enter and exit.” This personification works to try and display the idea that a person can pass in and out of sadness, which he parallels sadness with the blues, a sad genre of music. He then continues to talk about God and the devil. This part honestly confused me but what I think he is trying to get it as the aspect of sadness that we can't see coming. We don't know when our lives will take a drastic turn for the worse, which is why he says the devil doesn't give a f*ck. Next, he jumps to an interesting idea that is different but somewhat relates. He explains that loneliness is not loneliness if other people are joining in and weigh lonely with you, which is sort of what the blues genre of music is. People bonding over a common sadness. An important aspect of this poem is also the conclusion and a connection I made from it. The conclusion is really depressing as it paints a picture of a father yelling at an already sad son, and Abduraqib shocked me as he concludes with the idea that the world doesn't need either of them. I tried really hard to connect this back with the rest of the contents of the poem and I honestly had a really tough time as this is a very different type of piece from my mentor poet. I am starting to grasp that Abdurraqib wants to comment on sadness, being sad or blue together, and eventually the purpose of living a sad life. I really want to learn more about this poem because I feel like there is a lot to be unpacked here.

For my secondary source, I chose a YouTube video that showcases and explains the genre of blues music in America. I thought it would relate well since the blues is his way into the poem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbclfmvSfU

[jad-fakhoury]

Mentor Poet Post #5

For this fifth mentor poet poet, I opened up to a random page of Hanif Abdurraqib’s book, A Fortune for Your Disaster, and analyze that poem. The title of the poem is, “WITH BOXES PILED AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS, I GO TO SEE LOGAN”. The title intrigued me almost right away. This is because I noticed the allusion to the movie, Logan. An X-Men movie which features Wolverine. As I began to read the poem, I noticed that Abdurraqib was talking about the ending of the movie. After some research, I found that the ending to Logan was Wolverine’s death. This made the first part of the poem make total sense. However, there is then a monumental shift in the topic of the poem. Abdurraqib goes into talking about a friend of his who died from a drug overdose with pills. The interesting aspect is how he introduces the idea of his death. “my pal died not when the pill bottle rolled empty from his unfurling palm.” At first, I asked myself if this meant that he survived an overdose or something but the ending of the poem cleared it up. His friend only died when his “spot” was taken and he was forgotten about which is what Abdurraqib was getting at by saying he loved his old girlfriend. Overall, this poem is very interesting and features a great shift while also commenting on the topics of death and legacy.

For my secondary source, I chose an article which explains the ending of Logan which is key to an understanding of the story.

https://www.looper.com/45992/ending-logan-explained/

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[jad-fakhoury]

Mentor Poet Post #4 - Hanif Abdurraqib

I am happy to be back with my mentor poet, Hanif Abdurraqib, this week. I looked at the poem, “HOW CAN BLACK PEOPLE WRITE ABOUT FLOWERS AT A TIME LIKE THIS”. For starters, the title incites thinking about the current version of social injustice black people are experiencing, and this makes sense when you read the rest of the poem. To start, Abdurraqib makes it clear he is talking about a memory. A memory of a girl who at first is simply being described. There is then a switch when we see the line, “... the way her hair spread its many arms along the blacktop.” This line makes you think and ask, why is the girl against the blacktop? As you continue to read, it is clear that she has been pinned against the black top, and she was pulled to the ground. The way Abdurraqib plants this seed to get the reader thinking and then later in the poem confirms the idea is interesting and it leads to a cool experience for the reader when they can see that their preconceived notion was correct or not. The conclusions is also very interesting as Abrurraqib directly connects to the reader by saying, “... by now you surely know there was one.” This line confirms the idea that started with the title, and then the blacktop, and then the popping of gum which looks like popping of gun. There was a violent death of a young black girl. Overall, this poem is really thought provoking and interesting especially considering the gravity of the situation. 

As a secondary source, I want to reference Between the World and Me by Ta-Nahasi Coates. This book covers everything relating to racism and prejudice in our society in regards to African Americans which Abdurraqib is writing poetry about.

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[jad-fakhoury]

Mentor Poet Cheat Blog

I decided to cheat on my mentor poet by annotating and looking at my response partner’s mentor poet, Anthony Anaxagorou. Initially, the title really drew me in for one big reason. “A Child Stood Still for the Time It Takes to Fill a Bath.” When I first read this, I almost immediately got the image in my head that I feel like Anaxagorou wanted to display. Almost everyone knows how it feels to wait outside the shower or the tub for the water to get hot. However, at the time that I got this image in my head, I didn’t know the rest of the poem would reveal a lot more as to what the picture that the author wanted to paint was through this poem. There is actually a kind of disturbing piece to this picture that the reader learns by the end of the paragraph. “The story goes: My uncle made his son sit in a bathtub of ice water for a whole half hour.” I’m almost positive that most people have the same reaction reading this. I was shocked and then began to ask myself: Is this child abuse? Honestly, depending on the age of the kid, which it never really says, it probably would be. This new understand really changes the initial image that I had of the child standing beside the bath tub which I developed only by reading the title. After concluding the first stanza, there is a particular shift that I want to point out. The first stanza is all in Anaxagorou’s point of view, however, the first three sentences of the second stanza, and only those sentences, are in his uncle’s point of view. I’m not one hundred percent sure why he does this but I think it’s that so he can try and display what the uncle was thinking which was that he was trying to only discipline his son (keep him alive) and his son wouldn’t even remember it so it would have a temporary benefit and no long term negative. It’s interesting how Anaxagorou uses this shift in the middle of his poem and is different because he goes back to his own voice after the uncle’s perspective. Next, he covers an anecdote which involves his cousin getting in trouble and being taken to the punishment of the ice bath. It interesting how he describes the punishment before the thing that got his cousin in trouble but it makes the poem overall more interesting to open with the punishment. Overall, this was a very interesting poem and very, very different from my mentor.

For my secondary source, I picked an article that talks about the differences between disciplining and punishing a child because it really does relate to exactly what this poem is about.

https://www.aappublications.org/news/2018/11/05/disciplinepp110518

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[jad-fakhoury]

Mentor Poet Blog #2

This week’s poem by Hanif Abdurraqib is titled, “WELCOME TO HEARTBREAK” and comes a few pages after the first poem I analyzed. To start, the poems title and first line gets you thinking about the idea of self reflection. I believe that Hanif really wants readers to read the first line and think about the old versions of ourselves and if we would most wish to dance with them too. The poem continues on and then there is a particular spot I want to look into. “I thumb the edges of the picture frame & consider the wood - what tree had fallen in order for this younger & smiling version of myself to have a home. It is killing season again.” These two sentences really caught my eye for a few reasons. First, when he talks about holding the picture frame, I feel like he is writing an observational poem as he holds this old frame of himself. We did a similar activity where we described and observed things in our lives so I thought this was cool. Second, when he mentions the tree that had to fall, I think that he is using it as a metaphor for heartbreak or love that is now dead. This also related to why he says it is killing season. Hanif really takes what he sees, the wooden frame, and related that wood to the death of the tree and ultimately love, which is heartbreak. This part of the poem also got me thinking of the theme or what Hanif wants to get at through this poem, and I think he simply wants to talk about heartbreak through his observation of an old picture of a loving and happy version of himself.

For my featured companion, I wanted to chose something to do with self reflection so I chose an article by The Blissful Mind that covers the benefits of self reflection. 

https://theblissfulmind.com/2018/01/14/importance-of-self-reflection/ 

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[dragondav]

"Himself" Anthony Anaxagorou Poem #1

A man stands inside the noise of the world, But all he hears is peace,

"Himself" by Anthony Anaxagorou was an interesting and through provoking poem. It was on the shorter side, yet left thoughts and unanswered questions at first glance. To start, Anthony uses repetition in all of his stanza's beginning them with "A man". This immediately prompts the reader to wonder who this man is. Whether it is Anthony himself, a random friend or family member, or just a representation of life, Anthony lets this interpretation up to the reader. Furthermore, the poem contains many instances of oxymorons. As highlighted in blue and circled, he contradicts his descriptions with one another. Such as "Inside the noise of the world....all he (Man) hears is peace," and later on "Inside the stillness of a virgin field...all he (man once again) hears is noise,". These prompt thoughts about why this is the case, and what the author is trying to get at and say. We get more closure about this in the last stanza, which is only a line, that says "All a man ever hears is himself". This made me come to the conclusion that the man is the disturbing force throughout the nature of this poem. The man is what leads to the causations of the oxymorons. Along with the oxymorons, is the shift from the "negative-positve" first stanza, to the flip in the second stanza of "positivee-negative". Anthony uses this to draw attention to how the man affects the situation double edged, molding both possible enviroments. This poem overall, appears simple and but holds a much deeper understanding.

[jad-fakhoury]

David, I really liked how you were able to point out how Anaxagorou was using oxymoron’s and metaphors throughout the poem. Especially in today’s world where information is constant and everywhere, this poem is really profound and meaningful. I like how you also looked at the shifts!

[jad-fakhoury]

Mentor Poet Blog #1

The poem that I chose to analyze and dive into this week was, “HOW CAN BLACK PEOPLE WRITE ABOUT FLOWERS AT A TIME LIKE THIS” by Hanif Abdurraqib. Right off the bat, Hanif caught my attention with the title of this poem. I think that Hanif places the title intentionally to try and provoke thought in his readers: what are the times he is talking about and why can’t they? My firth thought was that the times he is referring to are getting at the current social injustice and racism we see in our society. To be quite honest, I am not entirely sure if that is what he meant but since this title repeats with different poems throughout the rest of the book, I am sure that I will find out eventually. As the poem begins, Hanif uses a metaphor that really stands out to me, “dear reader, with our heels digging into the good mud at the swamps edge...”. The first reason that it stood out to me was because of the way he addresses the reader. It creates a personal sense in the poem almost as though he wants to talk to you through the poem. Second, the phrase “digging our heels” is significant because when you do dig your heels into the ground that usually means that you are getting pushed by something or someone and actively resisting that pushing. The last part about the swamp also prompts your thinking: what does the swamp stand for in this poem since we know it can't be a literal swamp? Next, Hanif continues with his writing about nature by bringing up a dandelion head that is not a flower itself but is made up of many small flowers. Immediately after this statement, I noticed a significant shift in the writing. He writes, “...lord knows I have been called by what I look like more than I have been called by what I actually am..”. During my first run through of the poem, I thought this line was referring to how society views him as a young, black male which I still think is true. However, what I did not notice that he is drawing a similarity between himself and the dandelion in the way that they are both misjudged in how they are called which is why I think that he specially uses the word called after the shift. Considering this and the ideas presented in the rest of the poem, I feel like Hanif wants to attack the theme of how a given person (him, in this case) is presented in society. Are they called for what they look like or what they are? I am super interested to continue reading this series of poems that include the same title because I think they will work together towards the same theme or greater idea.

Featured Companion: Image describing stereotypes which relates to Hanif’s writing about how society views you. 

(492 words).

[jad-fakhoury]

Meet my Mentor Poet - Hanif Abdurraqib

For this poetry unit, I chose Hanif Abdurraqib for a couple reasons. Initially, I checked out his website because it was the first one on the list. I clicked on his page and right away was drawn in. I found the words, “HI. I'M HANIF. I WRITE POEMS. I WRITE THINGS ABOUT MUSIC. I AM PROBABLY EATING FRENCH FRIES.” This drew me in because it is a simple introduction, I love music, and who doesn't like French fries. I began to look through his works and also noticed his latest book, Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest, related to the rap group, A Tribe Called Quest, which I like and listen to occasionally. In relation to our work on relevance from last year, he is a young minority who comes from the Midwest, exactly like me. I also looked at Sam Sax and Jeff Whitney but I ultimately chose Abdurraqib because of the previous reasons. Below is the beginning of one of his poems his second book, The Crown Ain’t Worth Much.

In Defense Of “Moist”

Sprawling river / peeling off the chest / a wet slap / endless summer / not quite drenched to the bone / yet still a burden / how it sits heavy on the tongue / after being spoken / leaving the mouth / a humid storm / becoming the definition of itself / inside you / heaviness in the prison of your body / I am trying to pull my shirt over my head / after a full court game / in June / and I am thinking of how everyone I love / was once taken from the inside of another person / moist with what carried them / into the world

Next is a specific line that really let me know that Abdurraqib should be my mentor poet. 

“the children are still dying / somewhere not here the man on the television / wears a tie the color of a fresh / sky / unburdened / by the machines of war / and I think it is warm this year I think I loved you best when warmth was something to be hoarded between limbs (ice age coming/ice age coming/ let me hear both sides) ok: I have made room / for joy though.”

[dragondav]

To kick off his lecture, Randy begins with his childhood. As he’s telling his story of his childhood, he starts explaining the time when he was allowed by his parents to decorate his room with his own drawings. He focuses in and explains his fascination with Pandora’s box and the story behind it. What he really liked about the story was the idea of hope, knowing that there’s still a chance for change, or something better in the end. Randy mimics this himself, and adds “hope” to his own drawing and representation of Pandora’s box in his room. This is important to note, because this “hope” still hasn’t been extinguished by the cancer taking his life from him. He knows that deep down, regarldess of what faces him, the importance of never losing hope and to continue to pesevere, moving forward in his lifes last moments.

[jad-fakhoury]

I think you brought up an important idea. Sickness, despite the terrible effects it has on daily life, shouldn't stop somebody from enjoying themselves. Having hope and living every day with a smile is so important and overall improves life. 

[dragondav]

Living 'The Last Lecture' - Word&Way

By Bill Webb Word&Way Editor Randy Pausch died on July 25 at the age of 47, but not before he demonstrated how to live and die with pancreat

For this secondary post, I found an article that gives additional commentary and about says more about Randys family. It shows us what Randys wife said after his death. On the other hand, it also expands on the idea of hope.

[jad-fakhoury]

I think seeing this new perspective is really cool and I enjoyed reading what Randy’s wife had to say. I agree with you that it works to expand the idea of hope and vitality Randy talks about

[dragondav]

Remembering The Last Lecture

A little over 10 years ago, a fellow by the name of Randy Pausch was planning a speech at Carnegie Mellon University. Pausch was a professor

For my fourth secondary source I have another article that adds commentary to The Last Lecture. It also gives additional insight on Randys family.

[jad-fakhoury]

Does this source present an argument that agrees, disagrees or qualifies with what Randy is saying?

[dragondav]

For my fifth secondary source, I found an inspirational quote that represents exactly how Randy acted and what his mindset was. When trying to find the best one, this one reminded me of how Randy battled everyday against cancer, knowing chances were not in his favor.

[jad-fakhoury]

I think this quote is cool and can serve as a good reminder to many people that despite sickness, your life is still in your hands. This reminds of my grandpa who even at the end of his days battling cancer he still participated in the things he enjoyed and wanted to see the people he loved.

[dragondav]

For my final secondary source, I decided to connect this inspirational video to my The Last Lecture. From the book and speech, Randy made clear that he wanted to leave an impact for his friends, colleagues, and most important his family. I choose this video because Randy accomplished exactly what the video is titled- Make An Impact. Through his decision to give his Last Lecture, he has affected millioms of people. His book sold more then 5 million copies, translated in 48 languages.

[jad-fakhoury]

I really liked this video and it is truly a great reminder of how important is to value relationships and generosity. The video and Randy (from what you told us) both express that at the end of the day what matters is who you were, not your titles or accolades. 

[jad-fakhoury]

The Culture of Fear by Barry Glassner Process #6

This section includes the last chapters and epilogue of the book. This section was actually added onto the edition of the book I have, the second edition, and is not present in the first edition of the book. Glassner takes about how The Culture of Fear has changed but is still insanely present in today's society. He focuses on the culture of fear grew during the time after the 9/11 attack and provides an interesting perspective. Terrorism was made out to be much more of a danger than it actually is. Americans are much more likely to die swimming or driving! Glassner also commemorates Obama for launching his campaign on the foundations of hope, and I loved that he said that. Another thing that I liked was how he looked at Trump and called him “ The Fearmonger in Chief”. Never before has America been so lied to and cheated before this current era. I really enjoyed this book because it brought new ideas to light I hadn’t really though of before. I think everybody should take the time to read this book and listen to what Glassner has to say because a society that acts based on fear and false information is not a society I want to live in or support.

For my sixth secondary source I chose an awesome video that truly captures how fear has taken over the minds of some American people through Trump and other previous Republican’s bullshit. It also shows how Americans are self deceiving themselves about what to be afraid of who is “killing America”. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sc3_V7Qyq4

[jad-fakhoury]

The Culture of Fear by Barry Glassner Process #5

In this section of the book, Glassner really goes in to detail about just how fear mongering and dishonesty occurs in the media. He says something I thought was very interesting. For a fear to be instilled in people two things have to happen. There must be a social anxiety relating to that given thing and there must be some type of sympathetic example or appealing fact. Much of what this is relates exactly to the unit that we covered: Dishonest Arguments. Logical Fallacies are consistently used in the news media for a wide variety of purposes. Also, Glassner warns us to be on guard for how reporters manipulate words and numbers to make a point. He also stresses that the reason all of this is so bad, aside from the dishonesty and corruption, is that true problems, such as education, hunger and lack of insurance, are left un reported on.

My fifth secondary source relates directly to what I said above about the logical fallacies. It is a video where somebody explains the top 10 logical fallacies that are usually observed in society, and examples are given for each of them. It is good to see the examples and get a better understanding that you cannot get with just the definition and name alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IawIjqOJBU8

[dragondav]

Throughout this whole book, every different and new section of his speech (this book was based on his Last Lecture space) there were parts that stuck out to me. Randy did a amazing job the entire book. His final words stuck out to me, and end the book on a realization that whatever challenges faced him, he still made the best of every moment he was given and never stopped being himself; a role model, professor, husband, and a father.

[jad-fakhoury]

I’m glad you enjoyed it and it sounds like there is so much to learn from Randy’s lecture. I think a lot of the stuff that you commented on about his work include great life lessons and ideas.

[dragondav]

As Randy is giving the lecture, he COMES across one of his huge childhood dreams; to play in the NFL. As a little kid, he loved playing footbal, even though at first he hated it. Bottom line, he never accomplished his dream of playing at a professional level. But, he still highlights this as a very important adventure in his life. Randy brings out an interesting idea, and explains that sometimes not reaching a goal sometimes results in gaining more then you would from achieving a goal. He trys to show how when things go unplanned or unexpected, theres still something good that comes out of it.

[jad-fakhoury]

I really like that you noted how even when things do not go as planned, something good can still come out of it. I think this relates to how you told us our character is sick, which I’m sure he didn’t plan for but something good can still come out the situation.