Different Kinds of Revolutions

Both jobs are in full swing this week. I have to remember to take my vitamins.

Last term, my class read The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano (the actress we know from Sesame Street). It takes place in Spanish Harlem (El Barrio) in 1969. I learned so much along with my students. We went to the Bronx Museum of the Arts to see the Young Lords exhibit. We went to the computer lab in the school to watch a video of Pedro Pietri reading his poem, “Puerto Rican Obituary.” It was a stimulating learning adventure. I was proud of us. Though we don’t have classrooms that are exclusively our own, I find wall space in the office to display a sampling of our term’s work together.

 

 



 



 

 

One of the most profound moments was when an African-American student of mine shared with the class after hearing Pedro Pietri (whose work is still helping though he has passed over), “I feel like I felt when we were at the museum. That it’s not only us.”

I wish everyone had such a life-changing effect from our learning together. Maybe more did, but this woman was able to put it into words.

At my evening job, we had a smaller version of this experience (no trips; no drawings; not as many writings). Still a woman declared, “I do not like to read, and I bought this book! I read it when waiting in the clinic. I was laughing. This is the neighborhood I grew up in!”

I hope to inspire as well this term. It’ll be a combo of some former students and some brand new students. When I’m on break, I find it hard to believe that I do this and will do this again. But I will.

This Friday, January 15^th, I am one of a number of featured readers at the 4 Horse Poetry Reading (a Bob Quatrone production) at Cornelia Street Café in the village. $9 includes a drink. 6pm. Always an enjoyable reading.

Next Friday, January 22^nd, is the Divorced Divas of Comedy show at the Starving Artists Café on City Island.