W9 - Discussion
- Mat Wenzel
- Oct 28, 2018
- 1 min read
Upload a brief summary/response of your discussion text here.
Freaks and the American Ideal of Manhood by James Baldwin http://challengingmalesupremacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Here-be-Dragons-James-Baldwin.pdf
The Gutted by Justin Chin
Her Body, Mine, and His by Dorothy Allison
Ode to the Blowjob by Sharon Olds https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/blowjob-vulgar-slang-audio-only
Arabesque by Gary Fisher TW
My Vomit Fetish, Myself by Melissa Broder
This week's discussion brings up some fascinating points! Diving deep into these modern systems and analyzing how all the moving parts connect really forces you to step back and look at the bigger picture. When you are tackling intensive academic analysis like this, finding a quiet, inspiring place to study can make all the difference. It honestly reminds me of taking a trip out to the Massanutten Resort to find some focus.
Stepping away from the usual routine and setting up a workspace in comfortable Massanutten resort lodging provides the perfect, distraction-free environment to read, write, and fully process complex topics. Thanks for sharing these insights—looking forward to seeing how the rest of the class responds!
This week's discussion on such provocative and essential texts—ranging from James Baldwin to Melissa Broder—really highlights the power of exploring complex identities and human experiences. It’s fascinating to see how each author challenges societal norms and invites us to look deeper into the "taboo" to find profound personal truths.
When engaging with such intense and thought-provoking material, I often find it helpful to switch gears afterward with a compelling Book series to process everything. If you are looking for more Books to read that delve into unique perspectives and storytelling, there is a wealth of literature out there that continues these important conversations. Great work to everyone sharing their reflections here!
This W9 discussion post provides a powerful space for exploring complex themes of identity, gender, and the "American ideal of manhood" through the works of iconic writers like James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. By engaging with these diverse perspectives—from Baldwin’s critique of societal expectations to Audre Lorde’s exploration of the erotic as power—this curriculum encourages deep reflection on how our personal and collective identities are shaped.
Just as these discussions help us navigate the complexities of identity and power, building a strong community requires a commitment to visibility and mutual support. For students and creators inspired by these literary voices, a free business listing for black owned business is a valuable resource for finding and supporting local ventures. Utilizing a Business…
This week's reading list is incredibly powerful and really pushes the boundaries of how we discuss identity and the human experience. Whether it's Baldwin's exploration of manhood or the raw vulnerability in Melissa Broder's work, these pieces force us to look at the 'uncomfortable' parts of ourselves with more empathy and clarity.
It’s interesting how deep academic or creative work like this requires a certain level of mental and physical readiness to truly engage with the material. I’ve always found that I think more clearly when I’ve taken a moment to ground myself with a consistent routine. For me, that means staying dedicated to simple acts of self-care, like a scalp care routine or the refreshing boost of a High Frequency…
Really appreciated this week’s discussion prompt—so many strong choices and insightful reflections from classmates. By the way, on a slightly different note: if you’re looking to maintain a clean space for focused writing, you might try using Diatomaceous Earth for Ants to keep distractions (literally) at bay and consider cds solution as an extra support.