While I recognize it isn't Saturday where Lounge writers post songs from a host of genres, tonight, in the midst of my usual struggles writing, my youngest son, completely out of the blue, reminded me of a ditty that inspired me while I was doubting my abilities as a writer and social justice activist. Listen to the words, and let me know if it all makes you feel the same way. And if not this song, perhaps another, or perhaps a poem? In terms of writings and writers, Whitman and Cervantes do it for me. How about you?
During this period of the pandemic, where we and our students continue to face challenges teaching and learning, few of us write of the challenges of scholars, especially young scholars, with placing their work. While I am a true geek, with the relentless zeal of a Taino, and have been one of the fortunate ones: placing several articles this year (Lucky to have a co-author to push me). I have, however, never had to fight so much to find homes for my work. I also hope to place my final, and best work yet, this August. Nonetheless, the failure to place it thus far, keeps me wondering if it or I am any good. I suspect many writers these days face similar doubts. For those that share these concerns in the midst of writing, litigating, or engaging your respective forms of activism, I want to share a song in English (I have a slew in Spanish that express my people's indominable spirit–will perhaps share one day). Hopefully, this post and the song below will give a few of you some inspiration, and appreciation we all have doubts and insecurities. But fight on, as Tennyson observed, and ride on: for all the world to wonder (of course, the irony of this citation is not lost on me). ;P
Thanks AJ, not only are you one that always makes me laugh (even when I want to kill), you always inspire me!