Occupy Whiteness

(Paperback)

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Occupy Whiteness is a collection of hybrid erasure poems from inaugural Dallas Poet Laureate and multi-world slam competition winner Joaqun Zihuatanejo. Using long-form works of literature by white, male, straight authors, Zihuatanejo occupies these works by erasing words and pages of these works, leaving only a handful of each work. The white space that remains becomes colonized Brown verse. Occupy Whiteness is an act of rebellion that reclaims spaces and highlights a history of erasure of Brown life. These poems are also haunted and blessed by the image of abuelos who brave the river and desert into border states for the opportunity of freedom. Ultimately these poems are meant to agitate and create uneasiness that makes the reader realize that Zihuatanejo and immigrant children are not Other. These poems strive to depict this equally beautiful and brutal place we call home.

Author Bio

Joaquin Zihuatanejo is a poet, spoken word artist, and award-winning teacher. Born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas, in his work Joaqun strives to capture the duality of the Chicano culture. Hes been called, one of the most dynamic and passionate performance poets in the country, melding equal parts comedy, poetry, and dramatic monologue into a crowd-pleasing display of verbal fireworks always thrilling, Joaquns hilariously manic presentation is full of compassion and nuance, never sacrificing substance for style. Joaquin was a National Poetry Slam Finalist, a Grand Slam Spoken Word Champion, and HBO Def Poet, performing at universities, conferences and poetry slams all over the North America and Europe.