Extra Credit

When walking into the room for the Native American author reading, it seemed like a very formal setting. Some people were formally dressed with suits and the chairs were set up in nice even rows, all facing the stage with a podium and microphone. From the atmosphere, it felt like the readings were going to be somewhat formal and ceremonial, but once it started it was everything but that. They had us all get away from the whole “row seating” and move ourselves closer to the readers so we could feel like a group rather then individuals. As being an outsider to this culture and not knowing what to expect, getting out of what I thought “formal setting” completely changed my assumptions of how the readings were going to be because they wanted us all to be comfortable and close to the readers. The seminar began with a prayer; even though I didn’t understand the language it was very inspiring to be a part of a culture that I am not familiar with. Before coming to this seminar, I had certain predictions and assumptions as to what the readings were going to be about and how the seminar would be; but frankly I was completely wrong. Each author chose what pieces they wanted to share with the audience and some of them went with a certain theme. This may sound stereotypical but I went into this seminar thinking it was going to be based discrimination and how they are not respected within society, not just in the past but in today’s world as well. Even though these issues came up, but the readers were able to make it so they could connect to you rather then preach about it. It was very inspiring to sit there and listen to them, even though I can not directly connect to what they have been through, I was able to connect to their feelings and how they were affected based on their readings.
The first reader Eric Gansworth was an author of six books. His books featured painting and visual works while writing about art and art criticism. He has been to a lot of readings, but said it is about listening to those that inspire you. His inspiration to become a writer was from listening to Leon Howell during a reading. All of the pieces he chose to share with us were poems; poems about his body being a huge force or speaking about the modern changes and changing Native American culture. One reading that really hit me was the reading called “a half life and heart function”. It was about his life of being poor compared to the rich whites. He talked about how whites viewed throwing out cigarettes as spare changes where his people viewed that as a lot of money. Even though he talks about being envious of the whites and the money, he found things like cologne that made him forget all about being poor. Listening to this reading made me think about the life I lead and how it isn’t about the clothes I wear or where they come from it is about how those things make me, personally, feel. The little things like “cologne” make you forget about how much money you do or don’t have because you feel like a million bucks regardless of it.
The next reader Qwo-Li Driskill was a very passionate reader. His poems were about injustices of Native American history. He is the author or “Walking with Ghosts”, and has a PhD in rhetoric writing. His theme throughout his readings was going through different Presidents and their relationship with Native Americans. I did not seem to understand some of his poems, but I am not very educated with earlier presidents in history and their impact on the past.
The last two readers were my favorite two presentations. Jim Northrup was a very dynamic individual who spoke about his experiences not only as a Native American but as a soldier going through Vietnam. A strategy that was very effective was him choosing to memorize his readings. I believe if he would have read them just out of a book, it would have been less effective to the audience. I was very into his readings in wanting him to continue reading more; he was a very inspiring reader and I felt very moved and stimulated listening to what it was like to be a soldier during the times of Vietnam. His readings were very personal, especially the one about his struggles with post-traumatic stress when returning from the war. I believe it was a very strong approach to speak about personal issues because I believe I often connect better to a reader when they speak about their own life rather than trying to talk about someone else’s. The final reading by Richard Van Camp was the most shocking reading of them all. His reading was about a woman’s life experiences of being a victim and the ways she wanted to overcome it by accomplishing certain tasks; getting a G-spot orgasm, finding a handsome man, etc. This reader did an amazing job of keeping the audience entertained as I and many others couldn’t stop laughing throughout his story.
Going to this seminar was a completing eye-opening experience and exceeded all or any of my expectations. I went into the seminar thinking it was going to be about how Native Americans have been treated and effected throughout history and even today, but it was even more then that. These readings proved how Native Americans are just normal people. They experience the same things and live similar lives to those of others. I was completely taken away by this seminar and it leaves me with an open mind to attend more in the future.