MARCH 1997
Power of Language, Introduction
by Mayumi Tsutakawa, Guest Editor
Relativity, Contemplation, Anomaly, Revolution. Our place in life is Relative, to others and to things. We Contemplate our place in our communities, on this planet. We are Anomalous to the norm, sometimes or always. We commit to Revolution from the status quo, from oppression
In "Power of Language" we gather a group of thirteen
writers of color who express themselves as writers of color. Who prefer,
in this instance, to express their condition of color, to state their feelings
as individuals who are a minority within the American political landscape.
But whose feelings and expressions come from their individuals lives, whether
they are African American, Native American, Asian/Pacific American or Latino.
They are using the power of language to sing, to cry or to fight.
It is not uncommon nowadays, for the racial
to be dismissed. Affirmative action is criticized. Mixed race people are
becoming more numerous. Mixed race children and adopted children of color
often are encouraged to persevere or excel as individuals, not as members
of minority groups. Statistics point to the growing numbers of people of
color, of the certainty of minority people becoming the majority within
urban areas. So what is the need to cluster ourselves, to hide behind the
race issue, to play the "race card?"
The special section, "Power of Language," is
included in this issue of Raven Chronicles to celebrate and underscore
the need for writers of color to find a place to speak from, a haven wherein
being different is understood. We issue this section to encourage dialogue
between communities of color and between artists of color.
We include fiction, poetry and essays
by both emerging and established writers. The work is grouped under four
headings (Relativity, Contemplation, Anomaly, Revolution). The groupings
are not meant to set boundaries or set limits to content.
"Power of Language" began as
a reading series last year, sponsored by the Northwest Asian American Theatre
(NWAAT). "Power of Language: Writers of Color Literary Reading Series,"
featuring 19 writers, took place in the NWAAT theatre space in the International
District of Seattle from February to June 1995. It was funded mainly by
the Washington Commission for the Humanities and the King County Cultural
Resources Division. Grouped by topic areas such as "Immigration"
and "Sexuality," the readings were introduced by other writers,
critics and scholars of color. Ultimately, the readings fostered dialogue
among the writers and between the writers and the audiences. An important
feature of the series was the inclusion of both foreign-born and American-born
writers, and the encouragement of young writers to raise their voices.
As a result of the effort expended to
create "Power of Language," the writers enjoyed a place not only
to read their works within a context of their race, but also to learn about
the experiences and emotions of one another, to cross racial barriers and
perhaps to understand persons not like themselves, but who are also not
of the majority American Euro-Christian culture.
This coming fall, in October and November
1996, the "Power of Language" writers of color reading series
will continue in Tacoma, cosponsored by the Tacoma Arts Commission and Borders
Books. We look forward to increased opportunities for dialogue, for one-to-one
confrontation and confluence.
With voice messaging and electronic mail
and telefacsimile, it becomes increasingly easier to avoid deep contemplation,
to avoid face to face confrontation, to avoid feelings in our written communications.
Through "Power of Language," we look forward to experiencing those
who sing, who cry and who fight.
contributors to the power of language
© The Raven Chronicles 1997