Multi-Hosted Week: One Poem In Depth - Julia Stein's "Downtown Women"

[poetree_admin]

poetree usually features several poems each week chosen by the weekly Poetry Host. For this multi-Hosted themed week, we will explore in depth one poem: Julia Stein's "Downtown Women".

Ideally we will have one post each day from Monday, Sept. 10th through Saturday, Sept. 15th, that enhances, changes, or challenges how a reader might approach rereading the original poem. One might sign up to provide an overview of the poem's historical context and offer references for further reading; to translate the poem (literal, as in translating from English to another language, or metaphorical, as in 'translating' from the medium of written poetry to a different medium such as audio performance or visual art); to write a new poem that remixes or responds to the original; or do something else that fits the week's overall theme.

If you are interested in participating, please leave a comment on this post indicating what day(s) you might be available & what type of content (e.g. literal translation, remix poem, historical context, etc.) you think you'd like to post. Assignment of days will be on a first come, first served basis; this post will be edited as slots fill up to show which days are still available. Participation is not limited to current comm members or even Dreamwidth members - please contact the admins at poetree.at.dreamwidth [at] gmail if you will need someone to post on your behalf. More than one person can collaborate on a particular post if some wish to sign up as a group. Finally, we strongly recommend preparing your content in advance of Monday, Sept. 10th.


Monday: Full text of "Downtown Women" by Julia Stein

Tuesday: untonuggan: Downtown Women: Broad Historical Context

Wednesday: jjhunter, luzula, CP, Tricia G and Julia Niedermaier: "Downtown Women": Five Audio Recordings

Thursday: raze - Song and the Labor Movement: Contexualizing "Downtown Women"

Friday: alee_grrl - Poetic Complement: 'Raise Your Voice and March with Me'

Sunday: Themed Week Feedback: Revisiting "Downtown Women"


N.B. that comm challenges #21 and 22 are thematically related to this week; check out their announcement post for details.

Last edited 9/16/12 by jjhunter

Comments

[alee_grrl]

If no one else wants Monday I can probably swing it. However is someone else wants it, feel free! I'd be just as happy doing a remix poem later in the week (Friday or Saturday).

[jjhunter]

I think for now I'll tentatively put you down for a remix poem on Friday, and if need be we two can also collaborate on a historical context post Monday. That work okay?

[alee_grrl]

Works fine for me.

[untonuggan]

I could totally do a historical context type post on Tuesday. History was my major, Progressive Era here we come...be prepared to hear lots about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

[jjhunter]

It's yours! And you should know that Julia Stein has also written a rather devastating poem about that very fire - scroll midway down this wiki entry to find the text. Ms. Stein only gave us permission to post "Downtown Women" in full, but it's fair use to quote the second poem in part and link to where one can find the full text elsewhere.

[untonuggan]

Excellent, I'll incorporate that!

[jjhunter]

Okay, I'm throwing my hat in the ring re: recording an audio performance of the poem. This is content type that's actually more effective with a group, so if anyone's interested in also recording their take on reading the poem and making it available, comment on this thread & I'll be in touch to get your clip hosted on lib.syn & posted with mine.

[raze]

Would there be any interest in the sharing of past and modern music about labor? I know some excellent songs on the topic that I'd be happy to draw up a post and links for on Thursday or Saturday.

[jjhunter]

That would fall under the category of 'poetry complement', and would be utterly fabulous. I'll put you down for Thursday - thanks for volunteering, raze!

[alee_grrl]

We could do Saturday as an open discussion day. Maybe have a post that asks some seeder questions and then open the discussion up to the community?

[jjhunter]

I like the way you think. :o)

Downtown Woman

[(Anonymous)]

Why does the poem say "I got a band of 13 woman" when the walk out of hart schaffner and marks was 16 woman, what significance of 13? was there another walk out that involved 13 people? was the number significant to the auther? i would love to hear anyones thoughts ideas or comments. Thanks!!!

Re: Downtown Woman

[(Anonymous)]

*author, what significance IS 13 or what IS the significance OF 13, sorry guys i swear i'm not a total idiot, just a little brain dead from studying for finals

Re: Downtown Woman

[poetree_admin]

alee_grrl

This is a great question, but the best place to ask it would be on the poetree page providing the whole poem. This post was the sign-up post to participate in the week. I will post the question over on that page with a reference linking back to these comments. Hopefully others will see it and chime in. Because it is a fascinating question.

Re: Downtown Woman

[poetree_admin]

alee_grrl
I've posted this question on the poem's page, so if anyone would like to chime in please do so on here.