Emanuel Xavier goodreads Interview
Selected Poems of Emanuel Xavier
Do you feel your work throughout the years has had an influence on Latinx and/or LGBTQ poetry?
When I first started there were only a handful of spoken word poets that openly identified as gay or lesbian. There were several others, but their sexuality was hinted at in subtle metaphors. At the same time, the queer community was not quite open to a form of poetry that was influenced by hip hop. Surprisingly, in the mid 90’s, homosexuality was still considered somewhat taboo. There were also not enough books being published by people of color. Many of us only had self-published chapbooks as an option. I think perhaps I was just at the right place at the right time in the sense that we were ready for a change without realizing that we were maybe at some sort of forefront. I had been part of the West Side Highway piers scene and ball/House culture so, personally, I felt fearless in sharing my truth up on the stage. I’d like to think it helped inspire others at the time to write and create. Since then, there have been so many amazing voices that have openly risen and thrived through spoken word poetry. It has been so inspiring to watch them succeed and continue the tradition of opening doors for others and breaking those glass ceilings. I don’t know that I have necessarily been of any influence but I’m just happy to have been a small part of that history. I do still get random messages from some who have been grateful to have their stories reflected through some of my poetry.
How did you manage to support yourself throughout your career without an MFA or working as a teacher?
I went to St. John’s University in Queens for Communications during one of the most difficult times in my life but managed to get an associate degree. I still had a lot of student loans to repay so I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I had received a bachelor’s degree or an MFA. I never really had that opportunity or privilege. Besides working at A Different Light bookstore, curating a monthly spoken word series for El Museo del Barrio and ultimately landing a job for what is now Penguin Random House, my job trajectory was simply to support my art. Since I started writing, I have worked from a bank to a high-end jewelry design company as a runner to the front desk of an employment agency. OUTmedia represented me for college and university gigs so I made supplemental money traveling across the country as a speaker. As far as being a teacher, I suppose I always felt like I was still learning about the craft myself, so I was not prepared to teach. I’ve handled some poetry workshops but I’m quite happy working in publishing for Penguin Random House.
How do you feel about some of the criticism spoken word poetry has received throughout the years when compared to poetry?
There’s something to be said for the oral tradition of poetics. Not everything has to be written in metaphors and rhyme for it to have meaning. Poetry is art and art is different things to different people. If a poem moves an audience who is to say that it is not poetry because it is not written a certain way? Take Amanda Gorman as a current example. Her words were gorgeous and what an entire country needed to hear at the right time. It resonated with so many people and instantly became such an important part of our history. I’ve often been criticized because much of my work is political. I’m an easy target because I’ve had success without an MFA and that pisses a lot of poets off. I’m not pretending to be anything other than what I am. I value and appreciate the work of those who speak their truths. I may not always look good on paper, but words matter. Whether it’s written in stanzas or stream of conscious, if it inspires someone, it’s poetry.
How do you wish to be remembered as a poet?
I would like to be remembered as someone who dared pursue his passion despite many hardships and all the challenges faced making that dream come true. My work may not be the most prolific or profound, but it is a genuine voice representing many queer Latinx stories. Our experiences may be unique but, if you read between the lines, we share a universal truth.
What is your relationship like with your mom after all these years?
We had a tumultuous relationship for many years. She never really apologized, and I never really forgave her, but time heals. Nonetheless, she is my mom and I’m her only son, so we have always been there for one another. It was a challenge getting her to attend our wedding several years ago but then she did attend, and things have been so different ever since that. Now she refers to my husband as one of her ‘sons’ and genuinely loves having him as her son-in-law. She finally moved down back to Ecuador with my stepfather where she is closer to family and lives more comfortably. We speak at least once every day and she has become something of a gay diva. It took her a lot longer than most parents to accept her gay child but, when she did, it became something more beautiful. However, COVID-19 hit, and it limited our opportunity for that one-on-one growth.
Do you see this publication as an opportunity to reach new audiences?
I certainly hope so. Poetry is very niche. Add a multicultural element to that and the audience becomes even more limited. Toss in a queer identity and the audience becomes very specific. However, the one thing that is true is, regardless, book readers appreciate quality work. I haven’t won any major awards or ever been the toast of the literary scene, but I’ve always been a presence. I’ve perhaps inspired a few people. Enough so that these poems deserve a second look and the opportunity to appeal to a new generation of readers. Many poets do not get a ‘selected poems of’ collection until they are dead. So, I appreciate the opportunity to curate my own work and can only hope I get to be part of the conversation.
What do you think has been your most difficult and greatest experience as a spoken word poet?
My most difficult experience was being protested at Towson University by a college hate group that called themselves Youth for Western Civilization. The event had to be moved at the last minute to an undisclosed location and I felt terrible for the LGBTQ students that attended. That vitriol existed before Trump took office, but he inspired and motivated them throughout his presidency. I was not scared so much as angry that any of us had to endure that. Those people are still out there and they will never go away. On the other hand, my greatest experience was meeting Nikki Giovanni after taping for an episode of Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry and having her congratulate me. I would later find out from one of her students at Virginia Tech that she used my poem “Americano” for one of her classes. That was such a humbling honor for me. I may not have many accolades but I’ll always have that.
Do you feel your work throughout the years has had an influence on Latinx and/or LGBTQ poetry?
When I first started there were only a handful of spoken word poets that openly identified as gay or lesbian. There were several others, but their sexuality was hinted at in subtle metaphors. At the same time, the queer community was not quite open to a form of poetry that was influenced by hip hop. Surprisingly, in the mid 90’s, homosexuality was still considered somewhat taboo. There were also not enough books being published by people of color. Many of us only had self-published chapbooks as an option. I think perhaps I was just at the right place at the right time in the sense that we were ready for a change without realizing that we were maybe at some sort of forefront. I had been part of the West Side Highway piers scene and ball/House culture so, personally, I felt fearless in sharing my truth up on the stage. I’d like to think it helped inspire others at the time to write and create. Since then, there have been so many amazing voices that have openly risen and thrived through spoken word poetry. It has been so inspiring to watch them succeed and continue the tradition of opening doors for others and breaking those glass ceilings. I don’t know that I have necessarily been of any influence but I’m just happy to have been a small part of that history. I do still get random messages from some who have been grateful to have their stories reflected through some of my poetry.
How did you manage to support yourself throughout your career without an MFA or working as a teacher?
I went to St. John’s University in Queens for Communications during one of the most difficult times in my life but managed to get an associate degree. I still had a lot of student loans to repay so I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I had received a bachelor’s degree or an MFA. I never really had that opportunity or privilege. Besides working at A Different Light bookstore, curating a monthly spoken word series for El Museo del Barrio and ultimately landing a job for what is now Penguin Random House, my job trajectory was simply to support my art. Since I started writing, I have worked from a bank to a high-end jewelry design company as a runner to the front desk of an employment agency. OUTmedia represented me for college and university gigs so I made supplemental money traveling across the country as a speaker. As far as being a teacher, I suppose I always felt like I was still learning about the craft myself, so I was not prepared to teach. I’ve handled some poetry workshops but I’m quite happy working in publishing for Penguin Random House.
How do you feel about some of the criticism spoken word poetry has received throughout the years when compared to poetry?
There’s something to be said for the oral tradition of poetics. Not everything has to be written in metaphors and rhyme for it to have meaning. Poetry is art and art is different things to different people. If a poem moves an audience who is to say that it is not poetry because it is not written a certain way? Take Amanda Gorman as a current example. Her words were gorgeous and what an entire country needed to hear at the right time. It resonated with so many people and instantly became such an important part of our history. I’ve often been criticized because much of my work is political. I’m an easy target because I’ve had success without an MFA and that pisses a lot of poets off. I’m not pretending to be anything other than what I am. I value and appreciate the work of those who speak their truths. I may not always look good on paper, but words matter. Whether it’s written in stanzas or stream of conscious, if it inspires someone, it’s poetry.
How do you wish to be remembered as a poet?
I would like to be remembered as someone who dared pursue his passion despite many hardships and all the challenges faced making that dream come true. My work may not be the most prolific or profound, but it is a genuine voice representing many queer Latinx stories. Our experiences may be unique but, if you read between the lines, we share a universal truth.
What is your relationship like with your mom after all these years?
We had a tumultuous relationship for many years. She never really apologized, and I never really forgave her, but time heals. Nonetheless, she is my mom and I’m her only son, so we have always been there for one another. It was a challenge getting her to attend our wedding several years ago but then she did attend, and things have been so different ever since that. Now she refers to my husband as one of her ‘sons’ and genuinely loves having him as her son-in-law. She finally moved down back to Ecuador with my stepfather where she is closer to family and lives more comfortably. We speak at least once every day and she has become something of a gay diva. It took her a lot longer than most parents to accept her gay child but, when she did, it became something more beautiful. However, COVID-19 hit, and it limited our opportunity for that one-on-one growth.
Do you see this publication as an opportunity to reach new audiences?
I certainly hope so. Poetry is very niche. Add a multicultural element to that and the audience becomes even more limited. Toss in a queer identity and the audience becomes very specific. However, the one thing that is true is, regardless, book readers appreciate quality work. I haven’t won any major awards or ever been the toast of the literary scene, but I’ve always been a presence. I’ve perhaps inspired a few people. Enough so that these poems deserve a second look and the opportunity to appeal to a new generation of readers. Many poets do not get a ‘selected poems of’ collection until they are dead. So, I appreciate the opportunity to curate my own work and can only hope I get to be part of the conversation.
What do you think has been your most difficult and greatest experience as a spoken word poet?
My most difficult experience was being protested at Towson University by a college hate group that called themselves Youth for Western Civilization. The event had to be moved at the last minute to an undisclosed location and I felt terrible for the LGBTQ students that attended. That vitriol existed before Trump took office, but he inspired and motivated them throughout his presidency. I was not scared so much as angry that any of us had to endure that. Those people are still out there and they will never go away. On the other hand, my greatest experience was meeting Nikki Giovanni after taping for an episode of Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry and having her congratulate me. I would later find out from one of her students at Virginia Tech that she used my poem “Americano” for one of her classes. That was such a humbling honor for me. I may not have many accolades but I’ll always have that.
No comments have been added yet.
