Earlier this fall, when White poet Michael Derrick Hudson disclosed to using a Chinese pseudonym to get his poetry published, the literary world was (yet again) forced to face shortcomings around race and privilege. Hudson cited his whiteness as the reason his work wasn’t being accepted, so looked to the stolen Chinese name as a way to appear more competitive. As the dust began to settle, editor of the anthology Sherman Alexie defended his choice to include Hudson’s poem stating: “ … I had to keep that pseudonymous poem in the anthology because it would have been dishonest to do otherwise.” This defense among other justifications for the literary yellowface spawned necessary and thoughtful critique of the American poetry culture. Most notably, author Jenny Zhang wrote in a Buzzfeed critique on the matter: “Everything people of color must endure, our sensational pain and our sensational brilliance, must be accessible to white people; they must have it in their quest to be rewarded.”
So, how does the poetry community intentionally and meaningfully combat this cultural atrocity? Enter the brave and prestigious editors of Bettering American Poetry. In a statement from their call the editorial board shares, “Our efforts will intentionally shift favor so that the literary landscape within this anthology reflects a ranging plurality of voices in American poetry and illuminates the possibilities of sharing space.” The selection committee boasts an all-star line up of poets from often marginalized communities has made it a personal goal to find work that shatters accepted notions of culture.
Down the concept of bettering, the editorial board makes it clear this is an ongoing process. It is an ongoing need. An ongoing cultural work.
Make sure you submit or nominate today!
