Let's workshop this poem about a bowhunting DVD whose cover conjures images of black-men-on-blonde-belle gangbangs (and even of whites posing next to black bodies lynched after her cries of rape)
Apr 11, 2023·edited Apr 11, 2023Liked by M. A. Istvan Jr.
SAFE SPACE REPORT
The poem "Sporting Goods, 2005" is a lurid depiction of a bowhunting DVD cover. The language is graphic and so inappropriate for college classrooms. It makes allusions to pornography (of a racialized nature) and objectification of women, and even subtle allusions to the dark history of lynching.
First flag: Sexual Content.—One of the reasons why this poem is not for college kids is its explicit sexual content. The bowhunting DVD cover has phrases like "musk from balls," "oily rawhide," "deep penetration backshot on a fawn.” These sexually suggestive phrases and imagery are distressing for vulnerable populations such as young people (especially if they are BIPOC and trans—and especially especially if they have experienced trauma related to sexual content). The poem's depiction of sexual acts and references to body parts in a hunting context may evoke discomfort, distress, or unwanted associations for readers who have personal experiences or sensitivities to these themes.
Second flag: Objectification.—The depiction of a blonde woman on the DVD cover, described as "satisfied" in camo, holding up a twelve-pointer head, objectifies women as trophies or objects of conquest. The language used to describe the woman, such as "satisfied" and "takes on the biggest buck of her life," perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes and objectification of women. This portrayal of women in a hunting context will trigger any good person, especially if they have experienced objectification, misogyny, or gender-based violence.
Third flag: Racialized connotations.—Racialized porn and lynching: The poem's description of a bowhunting DVD cover that conjures images of black-men-on-blonde sex and subsequent lynching perpetuates harmful stereotypes and promotes racism. The poem's racially charged language “dark monsters” and “enormous inches” will demoralize the college student. And the indirect suggestions of lynching, a horrific historical act of racial violence, reawakens trauma for the most vulnerable and oppressed group the world has ever seen: American blacks.
SAFE SPACE REPORT
The poem "Sporting Goods, 2005" is a lurid depiction of a bowhunting DVD cover. The language is graphic and so inappropriate for college classrooms. It makes allusions to pornography (of a racialized nature) and objectification of women, and even subtle allusions to the dark history of lynching.
First flag: Sexual Content.—One of the reasons why this poem is not for college kids is its explicit sexual content. The bowhunting DVD cover has phrases like "musk from balls," "oily rawhide," "deep penetration backshot on a fawn.” These sexually suggestive phrases and imagery are distressing for vulnerable populations such as young people (especially if they are BIPOC and trans—and especially especially if they have experienced trauma related to sexual content). The poem's depiction of sexual acts and references to body parts in a hunting context may evoke discomfort, distress, or unwanted associations for readers who have personal experiences or sensitivities to these themes.
Second flag: Objectification.—The depiction of a blonde woman on the DVD cover, described as "satisfied" in camo, holding up a twelve-pointer head, objectifies women as trophies or objects of conquest. The language used to describe the woman, such as "satisfied" and "takes on the biggest buck of her life," perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes and objectification of women. This portrayal of women in a hunting context will trigger any good person, especially if they have experienced objectification, misogyny, or gender-based violence.
Third flag: Racialized connotations.—Racialized porn and lynching: The poem's description of a bowhunting DVD cover that conjures images of black-men-on-blonde sex and subsequent lynching perpetuates harmful stereotypes and promotes racism. The poem's racially charged language “dark monsters” and “enormous inches” will demoralize the college student. And the indirect suggestions of lynching, a horrific historical act of racial violence, reawakens trauma for the most vulnerable and oppressed group the world has ever seen: American blacks.
This poem is a no no with no redeeming qualities.