The most surprising thing I learned this year is that I like poetry. In high school I enjoyed literature and often read in my free time. I was a regular at the school library and while I cannot recall the number of books I borrowed a month I do remember that the librarian was impressed. While I read often, I always thought of poetry as a far different style of writing and one that could not hold its own when compared to prose. When I registered for Understanding Literature during the summer I expected that I would continue to read novels similar to those I had read in the past. Instead, I found that the majority of the syllabus was dedicated to poetry with only a handful of short stories and novellas. Despite this switch from my traditional area of interest I was not disappointed in the course. I learned how to read poetry in a manner that made it both more interesting and more complicated than I could have imagined in the past. Although shorter than traditional books, the poems we discussed in class were able to cram meaning into every syllable and match many novels in value. The most surprising thing I learned this semester is that poetry can be just as appealing as novels in terms of meaning and value.
The reason I believed that poetry was boring was that I did not know where to look for meaning. However, with time I found the key points of interest that are necessary to look for in order to unlock the messages within a particular work. While reading the body of the poem is important, much of the value in poetry is shown through its organization. The rhythm, rhyme, stanza format, length of lines, and tone of a poem denote its message with as much power as the explicit words. By consulting these additional factors the audience is able to gather what the author is attempting to express. While reading the body itself I learned not to disregard an odd word but rather focus on why that particular word stands out. Understanding this concept of valuing every word was something completely different from what I had known in the past. After being taught the means available for poets to convey meaning and after learning the value of each word I began to be just as interested in poetry as prose, something that is shocking to me considering my previous distaste for anything poetic.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Still I Rise
I went to, and performed in the Greyhound Collective Poetry Revival’s Loyola Rising last Monday night. I think it was a great event to end the semester on, and the blog as well. Initially, I was nervous because although I do attend the meetings, I am still a freshman and quite honestly don’t think my poetry is up to par compared to some of the other people in the group. I had been to poetry slam’s before, but never in this size. Originally, in the meetings, I thought there were going to be at most 25 people there. I looked up the event on Facebook, however, to see that 185 people said they were going to attend, and an additional 170 people might attend. I used to lector at the masses at my church back home, so I have been used to reading aloud to mass amounts of people, I was just a little apprehensive because what I was going to read was a part of me, not just verses from the Bible.
I went to Loyola Rising alone, it was the day before the last day of classes and most of my friends had either already left or had a lot of work due on the next day. I wasn’t bothered, though, because I was hoping I wouldn’t see too many people there who knew who I was. Luckily, I didn’t see many people I knew, so I got to lay relatively low throughout the night. There were a few people who went before me, and I heard the fear in their voices. It made me get secondhand-nervousness, if that’s even a term, because of what they were going through. When my name was called I managed to get up off the floor, from where I was sitting, and up to the mike. It was awkward, though, because a bunch of people had just come in and I had to wait for everyone to settle. I was just silently being my awkward self in front of a lot of people, all eyes on me. I had a feeling the mike wasn’t working properly, but I started anyway. I smiled politely, introduced myself, and read my title. “The Tango,” I began. I felt like I stammered it a bit, though and I was disappointed in myself. I read the rest of my poem without problem, and people clapped as I sat down. I felt so much better after it was over, and I was able to listen to everyone else’s work.
Sitting and listening to people singing and speaking their own works put a smile on my face that no one could take away. I honestly was so happy after hearing each and every poem and song because I know that all of these people put their hearts and souls into their works, just like I do. There is something so vulnerable about reading or singing your works in front of masses of people. It’s almost as if you’re showing people a side of you that no one else gets to see. Poetry allows for this intimate relationship between the author/speaker and the reader, which enables the reader to relate to the situations in the poems. I feel that most, if not all, of the poems we have read this year in class have been relatable in some way. It could have been one phrase, a stanza, or the entire poem, but in one way or another each and every poem has affected all of us. Poetry is powerful, and hearing people get all worked up over their poetry, as some of the performers did, proves that. Sure, we may not know what it’s like to watch someone you want to have sex with squash a flea in front of our eyes, completely know the rhythm of Papa’s Waltz, nor comprehend completely the sexual tension between Shane and Marian, but there will always be relatable situations within poetry, and prose, that allows us to connect with these speakers and characters, time after time.
Growing Up Isn't Easy
"Persepolis" is a graphic novel about a strong-minded girl going through the inner struggles of growing up in a country torn apart from revolution and maintaining a clear mind through it all.
“The Stories Behind the Stories”
Being here at a school like Loyola, we have a lot of opportunities. We have opportunities to develop our faith, our minds and skills relevant to our future careers. Not only do students here have the chance to learn within the classroom, other activities allow us to be students outside the classroom. Attending lectures and seminars is one way to continue this development. And on November 22nd I was able to take advantage of one of these opportunities by attending the lecture “The Stories Behind the Stories” by Mark Bowden. Mr. Bowden is an accomplished author, columnist, teacher and Loyola graduate. While the keynote speaker has written books such as Black Hawk Down, Killing Pablo and Doctor Dealer, he spoke primarily on his life as a journalist, as a reporter. In addition, Bowden expanded a great deal upon the effect of technology on journalism.
Initially, the speaker reflected on his life as a journalist. He noted that the most important and fun thing about being a reporter is getting out and talking to people or traveling to a certain location. In Bowden’s mind, actively and personally reporting is “always worth it.” Bowden made this very clear to his collegiate audience, who is on the technology bubble and who will be involved in various technological changes within journalism and writing as a whole. The author made sure to differentiate between being an advocate and being a reporter. Bowden pointed out to his audience, a group of young adults who are experts with their laptops, that you cannot be a journalist by sitting at an armchair in your living room on your computer. He emphasized that analysts are very different from journalists in that analysts can gather and regurgitate information in a cohesive way. Bowden emphasized the danger of doing this because, as a result, the internet will consist of “four millionth hand information” if no one is going out and physically seeking new data. In contrast, Bowden stressed that the importance and fun within journalism is becoming involved in a story first-hand. Part of being a reporter (in contrast to being an analyst) is that a reporter must personally connect with a location or a person to develop a unique and honest story; a story that their readers will identify with for these reasons. As Bowden noted, there is always a story behind the story that is written and printed.
For me, the Bowden lecture was very engaging and interesting. Not only was I interested because writing is a field that I am deeply interested in, but also because revolutions in careers as a result of technology are increasingly apparent. I will be entering the workforce in the very near future, and it is important to understand how technology is shaping and changing my intended career path. Writing has been increasingly interwoven with other mediums, and Bowden viewed this as a positive. For example, the author described how Black Hawk Down will soon be sold as an e-book, with various video and audio clips, maps and other graphics so that the reader can full immerse himself in the topic. Advances like these can be viewed as negative and positive, but Bowden has certainly taken the right steps to ensure that these changes are for the better. As I listened to him make his point about the interactive adjustments being made available to his original work Black Hawk Down, I was reminded similarly of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Our task to read the play simply does not do it justice. I found my interpretation of acts I and II often times to be led off course and lost in the development of the love triangle at some points. This is a play that should be physically watched by an audience for better understanding. In the same way Bowden’s book Black Hawk Down is being added to as an e-book for physical observation as a means of gaining a better understanding. I liked how Bowden talked not only about his career as a journalist, but how the job is changing, as if to prepare us as potential journalists. This technique prevented the lecture from being an I-remember-when-I-was-your-age talks and instead made the lecture fun, instructive and engaging for all people in attendance.
Mark Bowden Speaks the Truth
This past Monday, I attended a lecture in McGuire Hall called, “The Stories Behind the Stories”, presented by Mark Bowden. I had previously heard that he was the author of the book, “Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War” and knew that this was definitely going to be a very interesting experience. When the coordinator of the event was giving a background of Bowden, she mentioned that he was a proud Loyola alumnus who graduated in 1973. This immediately made me even more interested because Loyola had definitely helped form him into the writer that he became. After the small introduction, Bowden took the stage and I was eager to hear the things that he was going to speak about.
He spoke about his life before Loyola as he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. Next, he talked about his decision to come to Loyola in 1969 and his major role in Loyola newspaper, “The Greyhound”. When he was a freshman, many of the upperclassmen were graduating; therefore, he basically kept the newspaper tradition alive throughout the next few years. He was even willing to tell us that the year that he was editor, was the worst year for “The Greyhound”, and to go downstairs into the archives for proof! He said that instead of discouraging himself, he continued writing and wanted to pursue a career as an author and reporter.
Although Bowden has written numerous books and written for very reputable newspapers, he chose to spend his time speaking about the information that society needs on a daily basis and the best way to receive the facts. He said that even though society is able to find many sources on the Internet, does not mean that everything is entirely true. Even the newspapers of today can either “stretch the truth” or not “tell the whole truth”. He also touched on the fact that many reporters are “armchair journalists”, which means they do not venture out to get the stories. Instead, they find many sources and try to establish the most common one or the best one that they can trust. Once again, this can lead to non-factual information or not telling the entire story. He said that even though going up to random strangers and asking them questions was the most hated part of his career, he never regretted it once and was always able to get the story that he needed.
I thought that Bowden’s lecture related to Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Tell all the Truth, but tell it slant”. Even though Dickinson’s poem was intended to represent a person who does not want to tell the whole truth because society cannot handle it, this occurs in newspaper articles and Internet sources in the opposite manner. Tabloids and magazines always stretch the truth in order to make society interested in the “juiciest” topics, but in the process will make false statements. It seems that unless a person hears or reads a story that is very similar to that of other sources, it is very difficult to pick and choose the truest story.
The Stories Behind the Stories
Last Monday I attended a talk in McGuire Hall that looked very interesting to me. The speaker’s name was Mark Bowden and his lecture was called “Stories Behind the Stories”. As Mark introduced himself he told us that he graduated from Loyola University in 1973. We were also informed that he was the author of the book Black Hawk Down and many other published works. His very intriguing lecture was all about journalism and the way that it has changed over time.
Mark began by telling us about his days at Loyola University as the editor of the school newspaper, the Greyhound. When he began working with the newspaper his freshman year, he noticed that he was the only freshman in affiliation with the Greyhound. Most of the other students were upperclassmen so when they graduated he was basically the only one left running the newspaper. He told us that the year in which he was the editor, was the worst year for the Greyhound newspaper. Nevertheless, he continued to write articles and eventually majored in English.
Next, he began to talk about they ways in which journalism has changed over time. One statement he made about journalism was that “with the new technology available today much is gained and much is lost”. Obviously with the creation of the Internet comes the ability to publish stories online that the whole world can view. You can send your stories to other people in a matter of seconds which was something he was never able to do when he first started working. However, there have also been bad changes in journalism over time. The old fashioned way of going out and actually observing the things you are writing about is much less common than it used to be. Mark then told us about many different stories he wrote about and how he always went out and viewed the subjects of his stories. Unfortunately, many writers today use what he calls “armchair journalism”. These writers choose not to go out and view the subjects of their stories as Mark does. Instead they take pieces of information that they hear from other sources and use that in their stories. This leads to false information being spread on many occasions which leads to people being misinformed all over the world.
I found the lecture “Stories Behind the Stories” to be relatable to the first half of “The Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare. Both deal with the concept of misinformation. Much like readers can be misled from false information, the characters in the play are being misled by the identity of Viola. The Duke of Orsino and Lady Olivia believe Viola to be a man named Cesario as that is what she is disguised as. The Duke is in love with Lady Olivia and wants Viola or “Cesario” to serve as a messenger of his love to her. At the same time Lady Olivia falls in love with this messenger who she believes to be a man. To make it a complete love triangle, Viola falls in love with the Duke of Orsino who believes her to be a man. All of this deals with the idea of misinformation which was what Mark Bowden’s lecture “Stories Behind the Stories” was condemning.
The most surprising thing I learned this semester came from the last event that I attended. Mark Bowden’s lecture on journalism opened my eyes to an injustice that is occurring daily. People are writing stories without actually going out into the world and viewing them. As a reader, it is easy to believe these stories when in fact they are not true. Whenever I read an article online I would never think twice that it could be something that wasn’t entirely true. I mean if it is being published on a site where the whole world can access it why wouldn’t it be? The lecture taught me to be more careful whenever I read articles online. I learned of the injustice that the perpetrators of “armchair journalism” are committing that I had never knew before. As Mark Bowden said, “the best stories are ones that the writers have actually gone out and have been a part of”.
Being Present
One night, a few Saturdays ago, was a cultivation of all my experience throughout the semester with homelessness. This night was the Sleep-Out at the Inner Harbor. While I was not familiar with poverty and homelessness before coming to college, I thought I had learned a great deal from doing Care-A-Van, participating in Student Orientation to Service, and working at Health Care for the Homeless. However, I was mistaken. The Sleep-Out taught me more in one night and opened my eyes to more harsh realities of homelessness than all of my service this semester. The most important thing in serving, simple yet necessary, is that of being fully present.
The night started out with speakers presenting their stories, singing songs, and reciting poetry. People experiencing homelessness were invited to spend the night with us, as it was permitted and safe, and they participated in the events. After the structured part of the evening ended, the small group of Loyola gathered to reflect and then play Catchphrase. While still educational and fun, up to this point I felt like the Sleep-Out was nothing extremely special. However, a few hours later that all changed.
After everyone else had gone to sleep, or attempted to do so, my friend and I were talking on the side. A couple came up to us, desperately in need, and repeatedly asked for food, coffee, and blankets. They were frantic and it was obvious they had been through a lot. I got them food and coffee, but the sleeping bag donations had run out so my friend gave them hers. They then began worrying where they were going to sleep that night. When I told them they could sleep with us, because it was safe and guarded, they began crying were overjoyed. After they curled up by the cement wall, I was overcome with emotion. People like this couple face the questions of where to sleep, get food, and be safe on a daily basis. We were only there for one night, but what about all the other nights? From the Baltimore community being there just one night, so many people were helped; this couple and many more.
Later on in the night, a homeless person had a seizure. He was alright, but he went away in the ambulance that was called. I was told he had been having them for two months, but if we weren’t there what would have happened? Where would he have been? Just because we were there for one night, he was able to get the help he needed. I thought about all the other people out on the streets, and the dire consequences of what would happen if they had an emergency. Again, I was overcome with emotion.
I thought about the world’s serious issues, and how they seem impossible to solve. I doubted my attendance there at the Sleep-Out and in some of my service because they had no direct effect on solving the problems at hand, on a bigger scale. I wondered why people do not care more about homelessness and poverty, as it is an obvious problem in society. I felt helpless and angry, a terrible combination. I was venting all my emotions to my friend when a homeless man who was there for the Sleep-Out walked over to us.
It was around two in the morning at this point. The man, Timothy, began talking to us and asking questions about what we had learned from the night. He got the hint of my troubles and told me something I will never forget. He said that my presence is enough. Tim explained that every little step I, and others like me, make are deeply appreciated and contribute towards the bigger picture, whether noticed or not. If we give up, no one else will step up and try to solve the world’s tremendous adversities. For almost three more hours, Tim talked to my friend and me about this, and other things.
I did not sleep a single second that night. Although I was a little cranky in the morning, I am grateful that I did not. Tim even said, as he looked at all the people sleeping on the ground, that my friend and I gained more out of the Sleep-Out than they would ever dream of. He was right. I learned that my doing service, and doing all that I can for every person around me, helps even in the smallest amount. Although though there were no news stations there or politicians that night aided the couple, the man who had the seizure, and even me; all because we were just there.
Being fully present wherever one goes is the greatest lesson I learned this semester through service. A simple smile, heartfelt conversation, or deep reflection can mean more to someone than making the government aware of the issue at hand. Wanting to go to places like the Sleep-Out, not for personal satisfaction, but for the benefit of others and educational advantages is what truly makes moments memorable and worthwhile.
The night started out with speakers presenting their stories, singing songs, and reciting poetry. People experiencing homelessness were invited to spend the night with us, as it was permitted and safe, and they participated in the events. After the structured part of the evening ended, the small group of Loyola gathered to reflect and then play Catchphrase. While still educational and fun, up to this point I felt like the Sleep-Out was nothing extremely special. However, a few hours later that all changed.
After everyone else had gone to sleep, or attempted to do so, my friend and I were talking on the side. A couple came up to us, desperately in need, and repeatedly asked for food, coffee, and blankets. They were frantic and it was obvious they had been through a lot. I got them food and coffee, but the sleeping bag donations had run out so my friend gave them hers. They then began worrying where they were going to sleep that night. When I told them they could sleep with us, because it was safe and guarded, they began crying were overjoyed. After they curled up by the cement wall, I was overcome with emotion. People like this couple face the questions of where to sleep, get food, and be safe on a daily basis. We were only there for one night, but what about all the other nights? From the Baltimore community being there just one night, so many people were helped; this couple and many more.
Later on in the night, a homeless person had a seizure. He was alright, but he went away in the ambulance that was called. I was told he had been having them for two months, but if we weren’t there what would have happened? Where would he have been? Just because we were there for one night, he was able to get the help he needed. I thought about all the other people out on the streets, and the dire consequences of what would happen if they had an emergency. Again, I was overcome with emotion.
I thought about the world’s serious issues, and how they seem impossible to solve. I doubted my attendance there at the Sleep-Out and in some of my service because they had no direct effect on solving the problems at hand, on a bigger scale. I wondered why people do not care more about homelessness and poverty, as it is an obvious problem in society. I felt helpless and angry, a terrible combination. I was venting all my emotions to my friend when a homeless man who was there for the Sleep-Out walked over to us.
It was around two in the morning at this point. The man, Timothy, began talking to us and asking questions about what we had learned from the night. He got the hint of my troubles and told me something I will never forget. He said that my presence is enough. Tim explained that every little step I, and others like me, make are deeply appreciated and contribute towards the bigger picture, whether noticed or not. If we give up, no one else will step up and try to solve the world’s tremendous adversities. For almost three more hours, Tim talked to my friend and me about this, and other things.
I did not sleep a single second that night. Although I was a little cranky in the morning, I am grateful that I did not. Tim even said, as he looked at all the people sleeping on the ground, that my friend and I gained more out of the Sleep-Out than they would ever dream of. He was right. I learned that my doing service, and doing all that I can for every person around me, helps even in the smallest amount. Although though there were no news stations there or politicians that night aided the couple, the man who had the seizure, and even me; all because we were just there.
Being fully present wherever one goes is the greatest lesson I learned this semester through service. A simple smile, heartfelt conversation, or deep reflection can mean more to someone than making the government aware of the issue at hand. Wanting to go to places like the Sleep-Out, not for personal satisfaction, but for the benefit of others and educational advantages is what truly makes moments memorable and worthwhile.
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