aja monet: The Grammy-nominated poet taking on power and the culture wars • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Surrealist Blues Poet: A self-description by Aza, blending surrealist literary traditions with the emotional depth and cultural significance of blues music.
• Negritude Poets: A literary and political movement of the 1930s, primarily by French-speaking Africans and those of African descent, that celebrated Black identity and culture.
• Florida Water: A spiritual cleansing bath product used in various traditions, also the title of Aza's new poetry collection, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and renewal.
• Climate Crisis: A significant theme in Aza's work, particularly in relation to its impact on Florida and coastal communities.
• Book Bans: A political issue addressed in Aza's poetry, highlighting the absurdity of laws that restrict access to information and artistic expression.
• Fascism: A political ideology Aza identifies as rising in the US and globally, prompting a re-evaluation of collective purpose and organization.
• Arts Funding: The impact of reduced financial support for the arts, and the resilience of artists in creating despite scarcity.
• Sonia Sanchez: A renowned poet and activist to whom Aza dedicates a poem, exploring the role of poetry in times of crisis.
• Palestine: A central focus of Aza's activism and work, emphasizing the importance of sharing the truth of the Palestinian experience and advocating for dignity and self-determination.
• Emotional Intelligence: A concept Aza highlights as crucial in the age of AI, suggesting poets have a role in evoking this human quality.
• Let's Be Offline Together: The title of Aza's tour, emphasizing the importance of in-person connection and presence in a digital world.

Aza: Poetry, Politics, and Art in a Turbulent World

This summary details a conversation with Aza, a Grammy-nominated artist, community organizer, and self-described "surrealist blues poet," discussing her new poetry collection, Florida Water, and her artistic philosophy.

Defining the Artistic Identity: Surrealist Blues Poet

Aza articulates her identity as a "surrealist blues poet," a label that encapsulates the core influences shaping her work. This designation draws from:

• Surrealism: A literary and artistic movement known for its exploration of the subconscious and irrational.
• Negritude Poets: A movement that celebrated Black identity and culture, particularly relevant during periods of political upheaval like the rise of fascism.
• The Blues: A musical genre deeply rooted in African American culture, conveying emotional depth, resilience, and spiritual significance.

Aza emphasizes that these traditions are not merely aesthetic choices but deeply inform her understanding of the world and her creative output.

Florida Water: Interweaving Personal and Global Themes

Aza's latest poetry collection, Florida Water, explores a range of interconnected themes, from personal relationships to global crises.

• Water as a Central Motif: The collection uses water as a significant spiritual and thematic element. Aza explains that water represents the fundamental connection between humans and the natural world, mirroring the ebb and flow of relationships. It also directly relates to her experiences in Florida, a region at the forefront of the climate crisis.
• Climate Crisis and Personal Experience: Aza discusses living through a hurricane in Florida and how this experience, alongside creating a family and community organizing, intuitively weaves into her personal narratives. The "modes and tides and the waves of pushing and pulling" within relationships are paralleled by the environmental challenges faced in coastal areas.
• Spiritual Cleansing: The title Florida Water also refers to a traditional spiritual cleansing product, adding a layer of ritual and purification to the collection's themes.
• Addressing Contemporary America: The book directly confronts the political climate in America, including the issue of book bans. Aza views these bans as a manifestation of the "absurdity of law," particularly for marginalized communities who have historically navigated legal systems that do not fully represent their realities. She argues for a renegotiation of societal agreements and a re-evaluation of collective purpose in the face of rising fascism.

The Role of Art and Artists in a Politicized World

The conversation delves into the function and value of art, especially in challenging political landscapes.

• Artistic Resilience and Resourcefulness: Aza acknowledges that artists and cultural workers will continue to create regardless of funding. She references the sentiment that "the revolution will not be funded," highlighting the inherent resourcefulness and creativity of artists who find ways to produce art even amidst scarcity, desperation, or frustration. This scarcity, she suggests, can sometimes push art forward.
• Poetry's Power in Times of Crisis: In her poem "For Sonia," dedicated to Sonia Sanchez, Aza explores the question of what poetry can achieve when faced with overwhelming societal problems. The poem depicts a scenario where community organizers are weary from activism, and Aza offers them poems as a source of solace and strength. She states, "I offered them poems. I offered them poems. poems in their palms like Patunia's revolutionary and blushing shades of plum. I fed them I fed them Sonia." This illustrates poetry's capacity to provide comfort, inspiration, and a reminder of beauty amidst hardship.

Activism and the Palestinian Cause

Palestine has been a significant focus of Aza's activism and artistic expression since her first visit in 2015.

• Politicization Through Experience: Aza describes her visit to Palestine with the organization Dream Defenders as a profoundly politicizing experience that irrevocably changed her perspective. The delegation aimed to build connections with people on the ground and share their stories.
• Cultural Creators as Truth-Tellers: Aza emphasizes the role of cultural creators, storytellers, and artists in sharing the truth of what they witness. She notes that the current awareness surrounding Palestine is the result of decades of organized work, and that her efforts are part of a legacy advocating for Palestinian dignity and self-determination.
• Human Dignity and the Right to Exist: Aza asserts that everyone has a right to human dignity and the ability to exist, a principle that underpins her advocacy for Palestine.

The Importance of Presence and Emotional Intelligence

Aza's current tour, "Let's Be Offline Together," highlights the growing need for genuine human connection in an increasingly digital world.

• The Power of In-Person Connection: A poetry reading in a room full of strangers, Aza argues, offers a unique form of presence and shared experience that cannot be replicated by scrolling through a phone.
• Poets as Evokers of Emotional Intelligence: In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), Aza posits that the crucial role of the poet is to evoke emotional intelligence. This involves fostering a sense of presence, respect for humanity, and the ability to connect through gestures, eye contact, and shared experience. She draws a parallel to Palestinian poets like Refaat Alareer, who was murdered in December 2023, stating that poets "tell the truth" and allow us to make our own assessments in light of that truth.

Cultural Pick of the Moment

For her cultural pick, Aza recommends an immersive exhibition titled "Miss Korea" by Nicolas Premier. She describes Premier as a friend and collaborator whose work explores our relationship with images and artwork through African storytelling. The exhibition is on display at the Mand Africa until December 4th.

Conclusion

Aza's work and her conversation underscore the vital interconnectedness of art, activism, and personal experience. She advocates for art as a force for truth-telling, resilience, and connection, particularly in challenging times. Her "surrealist blues" approach allows her to navigate complex political and social landscapes, offering a unique perspective on the human condition and the urgent need for presence, empathy, and a re-evaluation of our collective future.