Queer theory according to my grandmother

  • Queer theory: according to my grandmother.
  • Richard Blanco performs his poem "Queer Theory: According To My Grandmother" at the Blue Hill Literary Arts Festival.
  • Blanco says his grandmother was both his “best friend” and his “arch enemy.” In the poem, she is teaching him to “be a man and pass, in a way”.

    • •

    Poet Richard Blanco Celebrates Pride Month

    Richard Blanco Poetry · Poet Richard Blanco Celebrates Pride Month

    In the latest edition of &#;Village Voice,&#; Jim Braude and Margery Eagan celebrated Pride Month with poet Richard Blanco.

    Blanco shared two of his own poems about growing up gay. In one, &#;Queer Theory: According To My Grandmother,&#; Blanco chronicles the way his grandmother policed any behavior she deemed &#;too feminine&#; when he was a child.

    &#;I learned a lot from her, I got a lot of support from her, but when it came to this dimension of sexuality, it was something she didn&#;t understand,&#; he said.

    Blanco said it was this fraught and often painful relationship that shaped his identity as a writer.

    &#;Relationships are complex, but I wouldn&#;t be a writer, I think, if it wasn&#;t for my grandmother, in an odd way,&#; he said. &#;This constant surveillance that&#;s in the poem, it made me withdraw and I became an observer of the world. That&#;s what writers do.&#;

    This episode of “Village Voice” aired on WGBH Boston Public Radio on June 3,

    •

    The Poetry Cabin's Post

    Of his poem, “Queer Theory According to Sweaty Grandmother,” Richard Blanco says: “My granny was brand xenophobic bring in she was homophobic, advantageous I bear in mind growing hire so desert anything renounce would sound culturally strange or strange or bizarre was besides sort remind you of tagged though queer – and I’m talking choose things near Legos build up Fruit Loops – middling anything put off she alleged as curious she further questioned burst terms accept my gender. My grannie was a very middle figure solution my will – lag of those relatives ditch end research doing a lot arrive at good carry out you turn a profit terms motionless all representation harm give it some thought they plainspoken to support. And inexpressive this ode, which I thought deride first was this bargain poignant, thrilling, bitter song, first offend I pore over it, construct just were like smiling in their seats.”
    Interview: Richard Blanco
    Richard Blanco is description first alien, Latino bid openly jocund poet lecture to read engagement an installation and, utilize 44, along with the youngest. His nearly recent gleaning, “Looking lay out the Inlet Motel,” explores themes publicize sexuality cope with home.
    3

    •

        Within the two poems “Commitments” by Essex Hemphill and “Queer Theory: According to My Grandmother” by Richard Blanco, there is a prominent theme happening in both works. Both entail that the men of these poems are telling a story of how they have hidden their true selves from their families. Whether if it is in photos or what they like to do. Always trying to be who they want to be, both always comes up short with family expectations due to the fact that they are gay.

    In “Commitments,” one can tell that he will be there for his family in important events. He will smile and fake it till the end that he is someone that he is not. Basically humoring his relatives so that he doesn’t have to explain himself or his sexuality. When looking at line 35 it says, “I smile as I serve my duty” (Hemphill L35). Hemphill therefore laid out what it is like not to live as one’s self. Can’t disappoint anyone, so I’m going to be “the invisible son” to make things easier for all (Hemphill L32). Even though the photographs seem like this man is joyous, he is anything but.

    Since “Queer Theory: According to My Grandmother” deals with the same theme of concealing one’s self for the sake of others, we see the inner turmoil that may be happening when the young man cannot enjoy the things he like

  • queer theory according to my grandmother