Summary

The website content presents a collection of four poems and essays that explore the theme of respect, addressing various social issues and the political climate in Florida, USA, particularly in response to Governor Ron DeSantis' policies affecting LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, race education, and voting rights.

Abstract

The content on the website delves into the concept of respect through a series of poetic works and commentary. The author, Sherry Atkinson, has crafted four distinct poems, each adhering to different poetic forms, to convey messages of respect for diverse groups, including drag queens, immigrant farm workers, African American history, and the collective power of the people through voting. The poems are accompanied by black and white images inspired by renowned photographers. Alongside the poems, the author provides context for the societal challenges faced by these groups, particularly in light of recent legislative actions in Florida. These actions include the "War on Woke" and the Stop WOKE Act, which have been criticized for infringing on individual rights and human dignity. The website also references historical sources and current events to emphasize the importance of understanding and learning from history, and the need for continued vigilance against social injustices.

Opinions

The author expresses a strong belief in the importance of respecting individual rights and human dignity, which they feel are under threat in the current political climate in Florida.
There is a clear opposition to the policies of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, particularly those that affect the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and the teaching of race-related topics in education.
The author emphasizes the importance of poetry as a means of speaking truth to power and as a form of protest against policies that obscure, manipulate, or ignore social injustices.
The term "woke" is reclaimed by the author from its co-opted usage by conservative extremists, restoring its original meaning as a call for alertness to social injustice.
The author advocates for the continued practice of critical race theory as a means to understand the impact of racism on U.S. laws and society, and to learn from historical mistakes.
The power and importance of voting are highlighted as a fundamental right and a tool for the people to effect change and respect for diverse voices.

Respect Respect

A Tapestry of Respect

Four Poems Woven with Reverent Expression

Now that I am reacquainting myself with writing poetry, I enjoy taking on the challenge of writing in response to a poetry prompt. The respect/respect prompt hooked me right away! As I pondered respect as both a verb and a noun, I began to formulate several ideas. In the end, I decided to write short, unified poems that addressed the idea of respect from the point of view of people seeking respect, as well as people who deserve my respect.

Poetic Forms

Poem #1 is a didactic cinquain. The term cinquain in its simplest form is a five line poem, or a poem constructed of five-line stanzas, that follow specific rules related to the form. Teachers use didactic cinquains to teach writing non-rhyming poetry to younger students. In this poem, I use the method of counting syllables — line one/1 syllable, line two/2 syllables, line three/3 syllables, line four/4 syllables and returning to 1 syllable for the fifth line.

Poem #2 is an unpunctuated American Sentence (or a monoku traveling incognito in Florida, USA). It has the 17 syllable style of a monoku, but with a complete sentence structure. This is my first attempt at a monoku.

Poem #3 is a tanka, a Japanese poem consisting of 31 syllables in 5 lines. The first and third lines have 5 syllables. All the other lines have 7 syllables.

Poem #4 is….well it’s a cinquain because it has 5 lines. However, the structure is debatable. Iambic-ish?

All images created using starryai. Prompts used: #1/Photographic Portrait of a beautiful, male drag queen, subtle make-up, black and white portrait in the style of Dorothea Lange; #2/Migrant Mexican farm worker family, black and white photography, in the style of Annie Leibovitz;#3ft/Black grandmother with grandchild in lap, serious, facial expression, looking directly at the camera, black-and-white, photography, sharp, focus, in the style of Dorothea Lange;#4/Black and white photo, people lined up side by side, people of all different races and different ages, six people, serious expressions on faces, Annie Leibovitz style photography

(#1)

heed respect acknowledge my right to be me

(#2)

respect my respect for the disenfranchised maligned souls amongst us

(#3)

She commands respect. Her eyes bear the history you want to forget. She is determined to shield her progeny from your hate.

(#4)

Respect Earned not given Respect your impact On lives encountered in your quest For power

“Speaking truth to power remains a crucial role of the poet in the face of political and media rhetoric designed to obscure, manipulate, or worse.” source

Poems of Protest, Resistance, and Empowerment | Poetry Foundation

Why poetry is necessary and sought after during crises.

www.poetryfoundation.org

The term “woke”, was used by Black Americans as early as the 1930s. Black American folk singer — songwriter, Leadbelly, used the phrase ”stay woke” referring to the need for Black Americans to remain vigilant and “keep their eyes open” when traveling through the American South. The term continued to be used to urge people to be alert to not only racial, but other forms of social injustice. In recent years conservative extremists have co-opted the term, using it as an insult against anything that they consider progressive or liberal politics.

My poems are my attempt to speak truth to power. I live in the state of Florida, USA. The governor, Ron DeSantis has declared “War on Woke”. The Respect for individual rights and human dignity have become collateral damage in this War on Woke.

Poem #1

Respect for Drag Queens/LGBTQ

I’m not sure what provoked the current anti-drag queen movement in America, but the movement has caught fire and is growing. In Florida, a popular restaurant chain, Hamburger Mary’s, has been presenting family-friendly drag shows for years. Governor DeSantis signed a law that would restrict children from attending any live performance involving drag, deeming them “adult live performances”. Fortunately, a federal judge blocked that law.

Poem #2 Respect for Immigrants/Migrant Farm Workers

In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1718 into law, set to take effect on July 1. The law brings significant changes to the state’s immigration policies. These changes are likely to increase fears among immigrant families, negatively affecting their daily lives, physical health, and mental well-being. The requirement for hospitals to collect immigration status information may lead families, including U.S.-born child citizens, to avoid seeking healthcare, potentially impacting their health.

Poem #3 Respect for Black History/Critical Race Theory

Critical race theory is an academic discipline taught in graduate schools and higher education. It explores how racism has influenced U.S. laws and its ongoing impact on the lives of non-white individuals. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Stop WOKE Act, aimed at countering race education, prohibits the teaching of race and diversity-related lessons and training in schools and workplaces. According to the Rev. Robert Montgomery, who holds a PhD in the social scientific studies of religion, it is crucial for young people to understand that America has made mistakes, particularly in oppressing various groups, but has also made efforts to correct those wrongs and will continue to do so. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging and learning from history. (Source: Asheville Citizen Times)

Poem #4 Respect for We the People/The Power of Voting

I think this one needs no explanation.

Thank you to my friend Carolyn Hastings for providing the July Prompt, and for her amusing and informative article explaining monoku (and the American Sentence).

With All Due Respect

A poetry prompt of elemental importance

medium.com

Monocle on Monoku and My Aha Moment

With help from Jim Kacian and Allen Ginsberg