Why I Write: Natasha Trethewey on Poetry, History, and Social Justice

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Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey talks about why she writes poetry in this Emory University Distinguished Faculty Lecture held on February 3, 2010. Sharing stories from her childhood and experiences as a student learning her craft, she reveals the many lessons and literary influences that have shaped her poetry. "The soul sings for justice and the song is poetry," she says.
To illustrate her message, she reads the following poems: "A Postcard from Okama," by Terrance Hayes (25:23); "Dar He," by R. T. Smith (29:06); and "The Crowd He Becomes," by Jake Adam York (36:38).
Trethewey won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for her 2007 collection 'Native Guard'. She is the Phillis Wheatley Distinguished Chair in Poetry and Professor of English at Emory.
The 15th annual Distinguished Faculty Lecture, part of the Life of the Mind Series and sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Faculty Council, took place as a part of the celebration of Founders Week.
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[@41yearoldnewdriver]

What a wonderful lecture from Natasha Trethewey! She is such a talented woman poet. I discovered her on TH-cam and she has had tremendous success as a poet. I am a poet too!

[@shirleysmith5465]

Her words are gentle to my heart
Her why she writes fill the canvas
She shares her lyrics
She invited me to lean in
I listen
I breath in and out
I am relaxed
I smile
Natasha Trethewey Thank you

[@paulfelix9081]

When I first got wind of her childhood, a love story of literary genius and escapism began between us, I love this woman work ethics and her moral strengths and character.

[@WilkineBrutus]

Hands down...one of the best speeches/stories about writing.

[@kbj76]

Congrats to her for her newest honor!!

[@Lebelekani]

so pignant. i am so inspired and also reread Orwell's essay again. Thank you.

[@WilkineBrutus]

She is brilliant!

[@richardspringer55]

Great talk.

[@mc111656]

Well done.

[@redbullr2d2]

her voice is like the hum of an oscillating fan

[@lampoilropebombs0640]

This is in the ela test