Thank you so much for writing this piece! I think we would have a lot to talk about! My MFA was a similar kind of crucible. I hail from a low SES rural background. I saw at the MFA how some, as you said, are groomed for success. I understood that writing reflects class background - similarly to how one speaks, moves, gestures. I often felt angry in workshop when emotionally expressive writing was denigrated, while cool, "clean", immaculate prose was praised - and got me thinking a lot about class differences in writing style, voice, sentence structure and word choice. Also, I appreciate your courage writing this. I still feel worried and restrained, writing about the MFA, the deeply troubling things I experienced and witnessed. There seems to be this unstated expectation, institutional loyalty - "only say nice things" - similar to what I felt after leaving the Jehovah's Witness faith. I also think more conversation about anger is deeply necessary. It is a part of the human experience yet one so many of us deny and/or fear. Thank you for all the treasure in this piece!
Thanks for this response, Summer. I know we are not alone in this, and I understand the stay quiet, or stick to niceties, or "build a bridge and get over it" messages we receive, especially as women. I think I'm just to that place in my life where I realize the damage we can do to ourselves if we are not living authentically. (That said, not everyone has to blog about everything like I do. Lol.) I applaud you for seeing through the class divides and sticking with what was likely a tricky line to toe. Those writers, like you, who are able to see through such social norms have a special kind of artistic eye that the world needs. xx
As inspiration and fuel it has been destructive for me. When faced with events with which I would react in anger I prefer to divert this energy to work on a solution or a workaround. Or acceptance.
In stark economics within this AYTL model, I have no time for anger. In this annual 525,600 minutes, I’ve spent six weeks, a good chunk is reserved for sleep… NO TIME.
Anger shuts me down creatively. Longing and melancholy fuel it. Anger is an emotion to recognize, to give it its due, but that’s it. Otherwise it drains me.
Thank you so much for writing this piece! I think we would have a lot to talk about! My MFA was a similar kind of crucible. I hail from a low SES rural background. I saw at the MFA how some, as you said, are groomed for success. I understood that writing reflects class background - similarly to how one speaks, moves, gestures. I often felt angry in workshop when emotionally expressive writing was denigrated, while cool, "clean", immaculate prose was praised - and got me thinking a lot about class differences in writing style, voice, sentence structure and word choice. Also, I appreciate your courage writing this. I still feel worried and restrained, writing about the MFA, the deeply troubling things I experienced and witnessed. There seems to be this unstated expectation, institutional loyalty - "only say nice things" - similar to what I felt after leaving the Jehovah's Witness faith. I also think more conversation about anger is deeply necessary. It is a part of the human experience yet one so many of us deny and/or fear. Thank you for all the treasure in this piece!
Thanks for this response, Summer. I know we are not alone in this, and I understand the stay quiet, or stick to niceties, or "build a bridge and get over it" messages we receive, especially as women. I think I'm just to that place in my life where I realize the damage we can do to ourselves if we are not living authentically. (That said, not everyone has to blog about everything like I do. Lol.) I applaud you for seeing through the class divides and sticking with what was likely a tricky line to toe. Those writers, like you, who are able to see through such social norms have a special kind of artistic eye that the world needs. xx
Anger? Nope.
As inspiration and fuel it has been destructive for me. When faced with events with which I would react in anger I prefer to divert this energy to work on a solution or a workaround. Or acceptance.
In stark economics within this AYTL model, I have no time for anger. In this annual 525,600 minutes, I’ve spent six weeks, a good chunk is reserved for sleep… NO TIME.
Lol. I love it, Jim. Utilitarianism to the nth!
Anger shuts me down creatively. Longing and melancholy fuel it. Anger is an emotion to recognize, to give it its due, but that’s it. Otherwise it drains me.
Agreed! It loves to hang out past my bedtime.