tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post8177414381526192154..comments2023-04-27T02:16:01.047-07:00Comments on Words Incorporated: All Art Is PropagandaStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post-37904783933036412942013-02-13T06:43:53.103-08:002013-02-13T06:43:53.103-08:00Completely agreed. I suppose DuBois might respond ...Completely agreed. I suppose DuBois might respond that there is no such thing as apolitical art: that whatever you create, it has a political message. That may be true (although it seems a bit of a stretch) but he and his brethren went a bit further and tried to *control* that political message.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post-70587203620926826572013-02-08T07:23:25.543-08:002013-02-08T07:23:25.543-08:00"A pre-midcentury thinking black woman with s..."A pre-midcentury thinking black woman with skill and grace to expose the shortcomings of any number of her contemporaries with the smallest snap of her talented wrist would mobilize the full force of another's disdain but quick."<br /><br />Absolutely. It was probably inevitable, really. I think she knew she'd get that reaction, which makes her even braver in my mind. I'm so glad her spirit overcame the constraints of the time, and she's being read more widely now than ever before. I just wish she'd known what an impact she'd have ... eventually.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post-68091734123690499412013-02-08T07:22:50.933-08:002013-02-08T07:22:50.933-08:00Isn't it funny how many writers have sought to...Isn't it funny how many writers have sought to control the creative output of others, to dismiss any voice daring to present a message different from their own? I believe art, no matter the medium or message, must be honest. If yours is a political cry, let her rip. To suggest any art which is apolitical is unworthy is to undermine the capacity of art in general.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post-65869896048549094022013-02-08T07:20:31.740-08:002013-02-08T07:20:31.740-08:00They seem to be different goals, though not comple...They seem to be different goals, though not completely separable in practice. What DuBois et al. did was fairly artificial: they were attempting to create a new reality. The damaging stereotypes of black life (the minstrel shows, the mammies, the happy brutes in the field) were slowing progress. They wanted to excise all of that from art; create a new "uplifting" narrative, with strict parameters. They were a little zealous about it, as ideologues tend to be, so they really vilified anyone who didn't stick to the program. Hurston, who was recording thoughts & experience in a much more organic way, wasn't sticking to the program. Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02187854108656107958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post-57794326611661244422013-02-07T20:19:25.370-08:002013-02-07T20:19:25.370-08:00'Janie's sexual frustration at the hands o...'Janie's sexual frustration at the hands of incompetent men was sure to ruffle 1930s feathers.'<br /><br />I write my thoughts with a little fear and great care, just because I generally feel trepidation at entering these sorts of conversations for a million and one reasons but, here goes.<br /><br />I think a lot of legitimate contributions to any dialogue are perennially squelched when they undermine the authority of those who have it. It's a very difficult thing to wrest from any hands.<br /><br />A pre-midcentury thinking black woman with skill and grace to expose the shortcomings of any number of her contemporaries with the smallest snap of her talented wrist would mobilize the full force of another's disdain but quick. <br /><br />Anyway, I feel out of my league commenting further! That's what I've got in response to your thoughtful post, Steph. And well done, on the self-assignment. I sincerely applaud you. Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352258244647772022.post-71336723036167356812013-02-07T18:53:54.045-08:002013-02-07T18:53:54.045-08:00Well put! I agree with this sentiment, and was re...Well put! I agree with this sentiment, and was reminded of Orwell's saying: "The statement "art is not political" is a political statement". <br /><br />Although I'd say shaping thoughts and recording thoughts are an indivisible reality, not separate things. One is influenced by reading and one writes what they hope to influence others with. Usually with unintended results. <br />nodgenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02548749875532702764noreply@blogger.com