Reader: Mary Kay Clements

Respondent: Wade Tillery

 “Failure of an Invention”

By Safiya Henderson-Holmes

Unsetting America, Page 60

Biographical Information:

            Safiya Henderson-Holmes was born Sharon E. Henderson to Esther and Chet Henderson on December 30^th, 1950; Safiya grew up in the Bronx.  She earned a B.S. in Physiotherapy from New York University in the early 1970’s; she worked at Harlem Hospital as a Physical Therapist, and was also an independent natural birthing coach.  With an interest in literature and performance this led to a MFA in Creative Writing from City College of New York in the 1980’s.  Safiya Henderson-Holmes was a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister-warrior, poet, playwright, performance artist, and educator.  On April 8, 2001 she lost the long battle with cancer, she was 50.  At the time of her death she was on medical leave from Syracuse University where she was a tenured professor of creative writing. 

For in-depth information about Safiya Henderson-Homes visit:

www.rootwork.com/xsafiya.htm

Literary Objectives:

3a. African American alternative narrative: “The Dream”

            This is emphasis on the setbacks, the need to rise again, and group dignity when trying to accomplish the American Dream.

4. The minority dilemma about joining or fighting and remaining distinct.

5a. To discover the power of poetry and fiction to help “others” hear the minority voice and vicariously share the minority experience.

Interpretation:

Safiya was trying to save her dignity by rising up and standing next to her own ideas and beliefs of her won dreams.

Safiya in the beginning wanted to fit into the American society by making sacrifices to her own body, but realizes she does not have to join in with the society.

Safiya is the voice of reason for many others.  She is reinforcing the idea you do not have to change who you are to fit in with what society wants.  You need to realize who you are and be proud and stand tall.

From Previous Student Presentations:

Andrea Perkins from UHCL class 2002 said:

Safiya's plain and straight-forward style of writing clearly depicts the resistance felt by African Americans as they attempt to assimilate to the dominant culture.

Even the title reveals failure of this great attempt to invent something that cannot be invented or changed.

She even expresses the extensive pain that is felt from trying time after time to fit into a society that has such a narrow view of acceptance.

            Meghan Patterson from UHCL class 2004 said:

Safiya will not pretend to be someone she is not just because the American people want her to change.

            Even when she tries to appear the way that American people want her to be she cannot keep the false “faces.”

            Every bad name that the American people have called her have not affected her inside even though she so tired of hearing them.

Questions:

How does this poem make you feel about the society in which we live?  Do you believe Safiya’s ideas or not?

What stood out in this poem to you? 

Why do you think it was placed in lower case?