On a recent Friday evening, magnificent poetry filled every corner of Modern Times Bookstore as poets read sections of “Dismantle,” published by Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation (VONA), a multi-genre workshop that helps give a voice to writers of color.
About 40 people packed the small room that had been rearranged for the occasion just hours before. Surrounded by books, revolutionary posters and children’s laughter, the audience listened attentively to the writers as they read their poems.
“Dismantle” is an anthology that features the work of VONA alumni and its award-winning teachers. The book includes a preface by Pulitzer prize winner and writer, Junot Diaz, who has long criticized the mainstream system of workshops for writers and poets, calling it “too white.” Diaz describes his own college years and the goal of getting a degree in arts as an extremely traumatizing experience.
Speaking about her experience with VONA, Sasha Hom, an author of Asian descent, said, “It feels like you are part of something real.” With her notebook in hand and her younger daughter on her legs, Hom stole the hearts of those present, reciting a poem that left everyone silent.
VONA, founded in 1999, has created writing courses that include fiction, poetry, political content and graphic novels. It is based at U.C. Berkeley, and presently has the capacity to accept 140 students. This year, approximately 800 applications were received.
The founders of VONA–Elmaz Abinader, Junot Diaz, Victor Diaz and Diem Jones– created the project with the aim of offering a real opportunity and fair treatment for writers of color, those who, in their assessment, have not received the same respect accorded to white writers.
The reading was recorded live on KPFA’s Friday night radio show, La Onda Bahita.
David Maduli was one of the six poets who took the microphone at the reading.
“It means everything to me. My family and friends were present in the audience,” said Maduli. “I didn’t know I was a poet until I joined VONA.”
After nearly two hours of poetry, the show ended with a storm of applause and the feeling of pleasure among both the audience and the poets.
After praising the night’s readings as “beautiful illustrations,” poet Elmaz Abinader spoke about the value of the VONA program. “The community is present,” she said. “People need it and want it.”
“Dismantle,” can be found at your favorite bookstore, on the Internet and, of course, at Modern Times Bookstore, located at 2919 24th St.