Episode 22: Undocupoets 2 — Javier Zamora, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, and Janine Joseph
Rachel Zucker speaks with poets Javier Zamora, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, and Janine Joseph who are working to remove publication obstacles for undocumented or previously undocumented poets and writers. They speak about the work of Undocupoets, the current, constantly shifting state of U.S. immigration, the petition they started, fundraising and other actions of literary activism. They also talk about mixed-status families, “exceptionalism,” and the fear and invisibility experienced by people with insecure immigration status. They talk about writing, the hierarchy of imagery and language, memory loss, the use of “I” in their poems, ways of distancing one’s self from one’s story, whether or not they are writing since the presidential election, and the incredible usefulness of email for organizing.
Publications by the Undocupoets
Driving Without a License by Janine Joseph (Alice James Books, 2016)
Unaccompanied by Javier Zamora (Forthcoming from Copper Canyon this September)
While Marcelo Hernandez Castillo does not yet have a book or chapbook out for purchase, we recommend reading some of his writing online, via The Paris American, PBS, The Acentos Review, Buzzfeed, Construction, and elsewhere.
Other Books, Projects and Writers Mentioned in the Episode
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (Riverhead, 2008)
Emerald City [TV Series]
Want to know more? Do more?
Here’s some links to get you started, thanks to Marcelo, Javier, Janine and Loma. If you donate to one of these institutions during the month of March and shares your receipt with us, we will send you a book of poetry!
