On Feb. 15, Oxnard students were captivated at the Scholars’ Series by the political poetry that Iranian author Sholeh Wolpe passionately shared.
Wolpe’s poetry not only moves the heart, it also joins cultures. She inspired her audience with a recital and performance of her book, “The Scar Saloon.” In an excerpt from her book, she described the reality of life as a child growing up in Iran.
“A child, her tears thinning the blood on her cheeks, stumbles over bodies calling out to her mother,” she read. “And when she finds her, she cannot fathom why her mother will not rise.”
Wolpe is the first speaker this semester in the ongoing Oxnard College Scholars’ Lecture Series held on Wednesdays at noon. Wolpe, who hosts Poetry at the Loft, read her own work as well as her translations from an anthology of Iranian literature. She also discussed how poets serve as spiritual witnesses to conflicts in society, and why is political and necessary for poets to do so.
Shelly Savren, an Oxnard College professor who coordinates the series, said that the Scholars’ Lecture Series is designed to enhance education by exposing students and the community at large to culture and to the arts. She spoke fondly of the most recent speaker.
“(Wolpe) feels that art is the solution to problems in our society, and I agree with her,” Savren said. “Art enhances the human spirit, exercises the imagination and creates empathy for others, and when we speak about art, we mean all art forms-theater, dance, poetry, music and visual art.”
Wolpe spoke of the importance a person has in using their artistic talents to expose others to a different perspective of life. She also shared her thoughts on political writing.
“There are two important struggles for a political writer: the struggle with nature and the struggle with human beings,” she said.
Students who attended the free lecture felt “touched by her poetry,” and most agreed with the points she made.
Future Scholars’ Series events will be held at Oxnard College in LS 8 from 12 – 12:50 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information call Savren at (805) 986-5800 ext. 1951.
