Thursday, December 10, 1998
Written, spoken poetry important artistic forms
EXPRESSION: Purporting opinion as fact minimizes significance of
creativity
By Amy Belier
This letter is in response to Nerissa Pacio’s article on
spoken-word poetry ("Speaking Up," Arts and Entertainment, Dec.
2).
I disagree with Pacio’s generalization that, "This art form has
revived poetry." In truth, poetry has never been "dead."
Further, her generalizations that "People view poetry as a
ghettoized art form devoid of any literary standards" offended
me.
Frankly, I am appalled that such a statement would be made
without support or even the simple acknowledgment that this view is
not shared by the masses. Pacio presents this unresearched
information as if it were common knowledge when, in fact, it could
not be more false. I don’t think anyone in the English department
here at UCLA (or at any other university) views poetry as a
"ghettoized art form."
This article demonstrated the fact that Pacio has little or no
experience with poetry. Therefore, she should not endeavor to
criticize it. Sadly, it is true that art forms like poetry and
dance are not recognized or nationally funded nearly as much as
they could or should be. I am sure that Lucy Florence’s Coffee
House is a wonderful place to enjoy poetry readings from talented
artists, but it is not revolutionary. Pacio assumes that spoken
word poetry is reviving an art form that had previously been
stagnant. Famous poets and the like have been utilizing spoken word
and other performance techniques for centuries. I am certain that
if Allen Ginsberg came to the coffee house, he would not "howl
loudly" because he’d have no reason be surprised at these soulful
expressions. Its seems to me that Ginsberg, Maya Angelou and Walt
Whitman were only included in this article to catch the reader’s
eye and as an effort to include some recognizable names.
Furthermore, if Pacio had read or studied Ginsberg, then surely
she would not have included his name in her comedic introduction.
I’m sure that the poets which she included would not appreciate
being thrown together in a manner that trivializes their poetry as
well.
It seems to me, that the reason why Pacio has decided that
poetry is dead is because she has never read or enjoyed much
herself. Please be more careful when attributing her opinion to
that of the masses.
Comments, feedback, problems?
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