HerlandVoice-1996-09-v14-no09_ocr.pdf
- Title
- HerlandVoice-1996-09-v14-no09_ocr.pdf
- extracted text
-
September, 1996
WOMEN IN THE TREES
reviewed by Jo L. Soske
When the latest collection of short stories edited by
SusanKoppelman, WomenintheTrees: US. Women's
Short Stories about Battering & Resistance, 18391994, arrived at my door in an envelope from Beacon
Press, I was a little more than curious. I had been
anticipating the publication of this book, and I was
anxious to see the cover. The students of English at
Southeast High School, where I am employed as a
counselor, were asked to give input into the selection
ofthe cover during a guest lecture by Susan Koppelman
nearly a year ago. In spite of this personal interest, it
was my full intention to decline a request that I review
the book for the Berland Voice. Still, I paused to read
the introduction, and despite my firm resolve, I knew
immediately that this was a book that I mµst read, and
a book I must review.
For those of us who may attempt to cling to any
vestiges of the myths or stereotypes about battering,
Koppelman's introduction is a call to question. Who
are the battered? Can they possibly include the scholarly, the enlightened, the consciousness raised, the
feminist, us? In an unparalleled stroke of the pen
Koppleman writes the words "battered woman" and
"feminist" on the same page. She courageously tells us
ofher experience as both. She dares to say that they are
not mutually exclusive.
As is typical of Koppelman, her introduction is
scholarly, instructional, and challenging. She encourages us to let go of our inability to imagine being in the
place ofa battered woman and to understand that, "The
divisions among and between us, usually based on
notions of difference which we haven't chosen and
aren't responsible for and which are not salient to our
common humanity, keep us isolated from each other."
The introduction is followed by an edited collection of
over twenty-five culturally and ethnically rich short stories. The collection includes stories by Zora Neale
Hurston, Fannie Hurst, Kate Chopin, Hisaye Yamamoto,
Andrea Dworkin, Sandra Cisneros, Barbara Harman,
Sonia Sanchez, and many others. (continued on page 2)
Volume 14 Number 9
LAST CALL FOR MUGS!
Many of you may remember a few years ago when
Berland had afundraising drive similar to public radio's.
We offered a beautiful coffee mug with the Berland
logo on it to anyone who would make a pledge of $40
or more. Even monthly pledges that would total at
least $40 in one year qualified for the mug.
Well, that fundraising drive has come and gone but
some ofthe mugs remain. We have a feeling that some
of our donors may have inadvertantly not received the
mugs they were due. So, we are making a last call for
mugs!
Ifyou donated to that campaign and did not receive
the mug due you, please drop us a line at Berland
(Attention: Ginger) and let us know. We will be glad
to mail you one with our sincerest appreciation for your
contribution. Any mugs remaining unclaimed after
November 1, 1996 will be for sale in the bookstore, so
come get another if you like. Cl
Herland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
RORY BLOCK -
TORNADO
reviewed by Jill Garner
I bought a Rory Block CD a couple of years ago
based on a review I read, and while her voice was
everything the reviewer said it was, I never quite got
into many of the songs. The CD was relegated to a few
listenings and a place on my shelf However, I held out
hope that I would find a CD of Block's that I loved and
this one is definitely it. With her clear, strong voice, it's
· hard to go wrong with Rory Block, and on this great
collect!on of songs (she wrote 9 out ofthe 11 ), this one
won't be stuck on my shelf anytime soon.
Only a couple of the songs on Tornado are the
traditonal Mississippi Delta blues style that Block is
known for. But Block's influences from other styles
are obvious in much of her music and on this CD she
delves into pop, traditional, and blues and she proves
her versatile talent with every song. Block is known as
one ofthe best female acoustic blues guitarists and one
ofBonilie Raitt's inspirations. She also has gathered
many great musicians together for this album, and her
vocal talent tops off the package.
There are some great songs on this collection. The
Last Leviathan has a traditional Irish sound and consists of Block on lead and harmony vocals accompanied by only a synthesizer. This song always grabs my
attention because it's such a captivating song, sad but
beautiful. It's one of the two she didn't write but it's
easy to see why she chose it. Indian Ernie, about a freetraveling man that possibly Block herselfonce loved, is
my absolute f~vorite song. The music is gorgeous, the
. words beautiful, the saxophone gives me wonderful
. chills, and I have a feeling it will be one ofmy favorite's
for some time to come. Rosaline is a moving song
about a woman who has lost her baby and been left.
"Why did you leave me, when we lost the baby? Just
when I needed you, Just when I was broken." And
there are more.
I don't like every song on this collection, the title
song included, but it's rare that I ever do. Some of the
songs don't flow smoothly enough for my taste or they
just don't grab me. But there are enough great songs
here to make the purchase worth it. From the traditional Delta blues of Mississippi Bottom Blues, to the
slightly new age sound of Bright Spirit, Block travels
through a colorful tapestry of stories from the usual
2
Her/and Voice
September, 1996
love and heartache to the death of the whales, friendship, and violence against women (Gone Woman Blues
is dedicated to Nicole Brown). Block's strong, soulful,
deep voice, acoustic guitar, and her array of talented
musicians carry me right along with her. Highly
recommended!
This CD is available to listen to at Herland. It's
worth the trip!
Other Happenings
The second part of the Pulitzer prize-winning play
Angels in America, Perestroika, will be performed at
The Dallas Theater Center from October 17 to N ovember 17. I traveled to Dallas for the first part and plan
to make th~ trip again for the second. It was definitely
worth it.
Alison Krauss will be in downtown Tulsa September 7 for the Tulsa Bluegrass and Chili Festival, and
best of all, it's free! CJ
IN MEMORY
With sorrow, we note the passing of Zyra
Shelley. Zyra was the sign language interpreter
at several Herland sponsored concerts. She had
been very ill most ofthis year and died on Friday,
August 9th in her home state of Alabama after
contracting pneumonia.
WOMEN IN THE TREES
(continued from Page 1)
These stories are absolute testimony to the fact that
women have been speaking out against men's violence for
over one hundred fifty years. The authors tell us over and
over again the ". . . we can not look to the victims to
understand the choices of the abuser."
I found this to be one of the most disturbing books
I have ever read. After reading several of the stories,
I realized that though the settings, the characters, and
the endings were different; I was reading the same
story over and over again. As a counselor, a teacher,
a daughter, a friend, and a woman, I knew it to be a
story that is absolutely true. Writing this (these) stories
was an act of courage as was collecting them, editing
them, and publishing them. I believe reading them is an
act of courage that every woman owes herself CJ
HERLAND FALL RETREAT
FEATURING
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
NOVEMBER
1-3
FOUNTAINHEAD STATE PARK
RETREAT PRE-REGISTRATION
Single
Annual
Please choose the registration amount most
appropriate for you. On-site registration will be $65.
Deadline for pre-registration is October 29 and
registration is non-refundable after October 29.
Person's
Income
under
$6,500
$13,250
$19,500
over
Pre-reg i strati on
per
person
$6,500
.
.
.
$13,250
Annual ·
Household
Income
under
$15
$25
$13,300
$19,500
$35
$18,000
$30,000
$45
$26,000
$60
over
$30,000
$13,300
.
.
.
$18,000
$26,000
$50,000
$50,000
Registration fee enclosed (payable to Herland): _ $15 _$25 _$35 _$45 _$60
Address:. __________________ City _ _ _ _ _ _State_ _ Zip_ _ __
__I need a scholarship to attend.
__ I'm enclosing and additional $
to help provide scholarships.
__ I'm bringing __ children (girls of all ages and boys under 10 are welcome)
__ I'm bringing __ pets (LEASHED and well-behaved)
Return registration to: Herland Sister Resources, 2312 N.W. 39, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Nancy J. Nesser
Attorney At law
405-942-1425
Oklahoma City, OK
Red Rock Gay and Lesbian
Otnreach
Free Seminars & Workshops • Substan~ Abuse Prevention
Education & Referral •Lesbian and Gay Support Groups Activities
(Dances, Arts & Crafts Classes, Sports, etc.)
Workshops (Dance, Potreiy, Relationships, Sater Sex, etc.)
Testing • YGLA (14-20 years old - wider 18 wiili parent's pennissioo)
Ol/lreach & calendar of Events
425-0399
REBECCA R. COHN, Ph.D.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
321-2148
P.0.Box5119
Norman, Okla 73070
Individual • Couples
Family Therapy, Retreats
PERSONAL
COMPUTER
SUPPORT .
Pl'esent this fo,. a 10% disc.o.,. ...tJ
I
JEAN PROCKISH
.;:-1
e-mail: PGMEntr@anl.com
Oldahalna City, OK 73118
WINDOWS FINANCES GRAPHICS WORD PROCESSING
-\i\~~ ~··c ,_ . .
1-
405-528-1018
~OR~St tR€~~UR€S
'I
'
(4Q5)' 44'1•.5111 , " ' '1
3l~
"t-, , /
.:·
aJhitc.Struf ·
norman, ()K no6g .
UTILITIES INTERNET
FAX 405-528-1035
Peggy C. Johnson
• unique 8. unusuiil gifts • art
. ~ jcrocltp ·• conolc.s ·• incense I
-
I
Purchalngi
LMmtng.
l•tamngl
Servicing
3228 S. BOULEVARD #229
EDMOND. OK 73 01 3
"FOR ALL YOUR PLUMB l "JG NEEDS"
-
i
1
X.+4-J9:; I
- f:
.
If you need HELP
~PLU~BING
'011.tashli Rice"
.
ATIORNEY AT LAW
Associated with
Parr, Friend and Johnson
2200 Classen 11¥d., Suite 650
Oldahorm City, OK 73106-5809
L
Harland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39
Oklahoma ~ity, OK 73112
. Address Correction Requested
Return Postage Guaranteed
NonProfit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Oklahoma City, OK
Permit no. 861