I don't think you need to be distracted either by flies in the ointment or by any bees in bonnets to accept that Best of Manchester Poets is an enduring success. I'd like also to take the opportunity to congratulate John Keane and all the members of Stockport Write Out Loud for their anthology, as previously reported in our news columns http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=34998

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Great review Cathy - still gutted I couldn't be there.

For the record John, I'd never have Isobel down as a left-liberal ;)

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Cracking review Cathy. Interesting points re representation all.
Personally I dislike the books' name - too much braggadocio about it - but truly admire its ambitions and achievements.
I also think that singling Dominic out for having 'contributed more than anyone' etc, is a little unfair to the many people who have contributed to Manchester's thriving poetry scene; which includes the 10 years of largely unfunded support given by Write Out Loud and its members.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Excellent review of what must have been a great evening. BoMP sounds terrific. Regarding ethnicity - risking Izz's eggshells - it's people from a Chinese background or heritage who have been missing in my experience. Haven't run across one, yet they have been present in numbers in the North West for centuries.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

In my earlier comment I was speaking mainly from a performance perspective. Black poets aren't well represented in the North West, hence I've only had opportunity to see and hear poets specialising in a street/rap style - highly successful poets, I might add.

I have no doubt that those poets and all black poets are equally capable of writing in perfect Iambic pentameter, or any style they choose to - I just spoke of what I'd heard.

I don't think it hurts to actively seek out poetry from different cultures, if in doing so you are producing a book that reflects the heart and soul of Manchester, with all its components.

If anyone other than John finds my comment patronising or racist, then I do apologise - it was not intended to be. Discussing ethnicity is sometimes like treading on egg shells - only for the brave or the foolish.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Yes, it was a wonderful night. Re the Fly in the ointment comments. These are clearly driven by the editors wish for fairer representation of a multicultural Manchester in the BOMP pages and a self critical attitude to strive towards this. From what I know of them if this came out 'wrong' it is simply that. Winston

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Of course it is. But it won't be if it tries peddling ethnic stereotypes.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Well, John Keane, you scored a brownie point there I suppose, but I am sure Isobel meant no harm by her comment. Its great when people will establish poetry presses and promote poetry in spite of recessions. There are some shining examples around, of which this is one. Perhaps the Best of Manchester people were referring to who turns up to live readings. Maybe they meant to be encouraging to people who might think they would not be welcome. I have always found live poetry in the North to be very welcoming to all.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Black writers have a lot of 'soul and rhythm'...? What is that but a hackneyed ethnic stereotype, right there? Well, I can assure you that black poets can write sonnets, blank verse or anything else, without reflexive recourse to 'soul' or 'rhythm'...

All of this just reinforces my belief that left-liberals are patronizing racists of the worst kind. This knee-jerk conflation of skin-colour with 'rhythm' and 'soul' is not only offensive, but ludicrous in the extreme.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I know where you are coming from John - I did a double take when I read about that 'fly in the ointment'. If I were black, disabled, gay or of any other minority group, I'd hate to think that I was making up a quota. Poetry is about words - it really shouldn't matter what skin it comes from.

Having given it some thought though, I'm wondering if Cathy means that she wanted a broader kind of poetry in the book or work that reflects the multi-cultural diversity of Manchester.

Without wishing to stereo type, I do think that black poets write great contemporary poetry; they have a lot of soul and rhythm and offer a different view on the world. I think having them adequately represented would definitely give the anthology more depth.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

How on earth can they tell if someone is white or not from their poem or name? Must a black writer be called Winston Kwesi Mbobo to pass muster as a 'black' writer? Must their poems be full of hackneyed ethnic stereotypes to be considered?

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I have already heard what a wonderful night it was Cathy..Great respect for all those involved..long may you last!!

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you, Greg! I hope you enjoy volume 3. Plenty of Write Out Louders, of course - it wouldn't be the best if it didn't have them.

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Great account of what sounds like a great evening, Cathy. Wish I'd been there. I'm a southerner, but I understand the importance and impact of Best of Manchester Poets, I think. I really enjoyed vol 2, not least for the number of familiar Write out Loud names, and look forward to seeing vol 3. Greg

Comment is about The best of Manchester: poetry heaven at the Eighth Day cafe (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman