Letter from the Guest Editor
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At McNeese, we have had the privilege of being visited by many accomplished working writers and poets. In February of 2023, Diamond Forde came to McNeese State University to speak with my cohort about the concept of excess in poetry. For a first year MFA student that was a pivotal moment in my writing journey because I was able to learn from someone who looked like me and see that success in a predominantly white industry was attainable.
After her visit, and after reading her collection, Mother Body, I became obsessed with the concept of excess and how it relates to writing, especially from the perspective of marginalized voices. How can one exhibit excess in a world where they are constantly surveilled? The Black History Month issue was crafted with these ideas in mind, and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to guest edit an issue that celebrates underrepresented voices and stories. I hope this issue inspires you to be excessive in your writing and in your everyday life.
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Posted in Black History Month and tagged in #boudin