Class Description
In this generative class, BiPOC poets will learn from the long tradition of Black poets using persona poems to transcend the confessional, retell and subvert historical narratives, and make space for themselves to sing in a multiplicity of voices. We'll make use of the persona's invitation to step outside of our own consciousness and into the voice of another with empathy and understanding. In this generative class writing will take place inside the classroom. Students will be invited to share up to two pieces each class. One that will be written during class in response to a guiding text, and one piece that has been revised. Students will be encouraged to write poems from the perspective of historical figures, fictional or imagined characters, and even write from the perspective of family and community members. As guides we will read work by poets such as Natasha Trethewey, Shane McCrae, Evie Shockley, Rita Dove, Vivee Francis and Tyhimba Jess among many others. By the end of our time together students will have written and revised 5 new pieces.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.
Zoom Participation:
In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.