Saturday, June 10, 2017
Sunday, March 29, 2015
New Amazon review! Wow! You Know What I'm Sayin'?
on March 27, 2015
Format: Paperback
Here in the 21st century, we live in a time that is deeply preoccupied with self-identity, with the claiming and casting off of labels. Obsessed with finding the right words to define our our own place in the world, we are more used to viewing language as a point of difference—with our separate vocabularies marking us as belonging (or not belonging) to any number of cultural, ethnic, and social groups.
And yet, language can also be a place of unity, a chance for celebration—as poet Daniel García Ordaz so beautifully demonstrates in his collection “You Know What I’m Sayin’?” Throughout the course of this linguistically rich book, García Ordaz acknowledges the realities of historical prejudices, and the struggles of claiming an often marginalized cultural identity; and yet, these poems never come from a place of bitterness or anger. This collection of poetry and drama is, at its heart, a joyous celebration: of our differences and our pasts, as well as our future and the things that bring us together—as Americans, and as humans. Here, language is a point of shared humanity.
The poet invites us in with an combination of hip-hop beat and rhythm, refrain and repetition—creating an enticing flow that kept me turning the pages and, more often than not, reading the poems out loud to myself. These are poems that beg to be heard, not just viewed on the page. Pieces like “Jazz Beat” and “Los Mariachis” pull in a vibrancy of sound, onomatopoeia, and music. The language weaves between English and Spanish, with dips into African-American and Chicano dialect. Yet even knowing very little Spanish myself, I never felt misplaced by the unfamiliar vocabulary. To the contrary: it felt like an invitation to simply enjoy the sound, the feel, the movement of language—all language.
Ultimately, this book is a smiling celebration of common experience within linguistic diversity, and all the opportunity of language—not just as it is written, but how it is spoken and shared. As the poet writes in the collection’s title piece:
“The spoken word is about passion
And silliness and truth.
It’s about getting to the root
of what’s inside.
It’s about showing all the things you hide...”
...You know what I’m sayin?
And yet, language can also be a place of unity, a chance for celebration—as poet Daniel García Ordaz so beautifully demonstrates in his collection “You Know What I’m Sayin’?” Throughout the course of this linguistically rich book, García Ordaz acknowledges the realities of historical prejudices, and the struggles of claiming an often marginalized cultural identity; and yet, these poems never come from a place of bitterness or anger. This collection of poetry and drama is, at its heart, a joyous celebration: of our differences and our pasts, as well as our future and the things that bring us together—as Americans, and as humans. Here, language is a point of shared humanity.
The poet invites us in with an combination of hip-hop beat and rhythm, refrain and repetition—creating an enticing flow that kept me turning the pages and, more often than not, reading the poems out loud to myself. These are poems that beg to be heard, not just viewed on the page. Pieces like “Jazz Beat” and “Los Mariachis” pull in a vibrancy of sound, onomatopoeia, and music. The language weaves between English and Spanish, with dips into African-American and Chicano dialect. Yet even knowing very little Spanish myself, I never felt misplaced by the unfamiliar vocabulary. To the contrary: it felt like an invitation to simply enjoy the sound, the feel, the movement of language—all language.
Ultimately, this book is a smiling celebration of common experience within linguistic diversity, and all the opportunity of language—not just as it is written, but how it is spoken and shared. As the poet writes in the collection’s title piece:
“The spoken word is about passion
And silliness and truth.
It’s about getting to the root
of what’s inside.
It’s about showing all the things you hide...”
...You know what I’m sayin?
#YKWIS
Saturday, March 28, 2015
#RunAsOne #TeamRWB #VeteranSuicides #FunRun
The public is invited to join Team RWB and Team Rubicon as we Run As One on March 28 at 6 p.m. at McKelvey Park in Harlingen (1325 S 77 Sunshine Strip, across H-E-B.)
This is a free event to encourage physical activity for walkers and runners of all levels and bring attention to military troops returning to civilian life with PTSD. In an effort to prevent veteran suicides, we come together as two nonprofit veterans service organizations to bring awareness to this issue.
We will meet at McKelvey Park in Harlingen at the playground and separate into groups depending on running experience. A walking group will be formed, along with a group that will run trails and/or another to run hills. American flags and/or Red, White & Blue colors are welcome! All ages welcome. Bring a bottle of hydration if you like, though this will be an easy run.
We will meet at a local restaurant afterwards to socialize. (Adults).
For more details contact Team RWB Rio Grande Valley Athletic Director Jorge Cardenas or Chapter Captain Daniel Garcia at daniel.garcia@teamrwb.org or visit us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/
#RunAsOne #TeamRWB #TeamRubicon #SuicidePrevention #PTSD #WearTheEagle
This is a free event to encourage physical activity for walkers and runners of all levels and bring attention to military troops returning to civilian life with PTSD. In an effort to prevent veteran suicides, we come together as two nonprofit veterans service organizations to bring awareness to this issue.
We will meet at McKelvey Park in Harlingen at the playground and separate into groups depending on running experience. A walking group will be formed, along with a group that will run trails and/or another to run hills. American flags and/or Red, White & Blue colors are welcome! All ages welcome. Bring a bottle of hydration if you like, though this will be an easy run.
We will meet at a local restaurant afterwards to socialize. (Adults).
For more details contact Team RWB Rio Grande Valley Athletic Director Jorge Cardenas or Chapter Captain Daniel Garcia at daniel.garcia@teamrwb.org or visit us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/
#RunAsOne #TeamRWB #TeamRubicon #SuicidePrevention #PTSD #WearTheEagle
Create and Share Your Quotes: Cool Website
Create your own quotes and share 'em with the world! #QuoteAndQuote
Great tool for teachers looking for journal prompts, etc.
Check out mine as well! Here's one:
Here's the link: www.quoteandquote.com
Great tool for teachers looking for journal prompts, etc.
Check out mine as well! Here's one:
Thursday, March 26, 2015
#Bestseller List! #ThankList
Thanks for making my book a Top Ten (#9) #Bestseller on Amazon (Hispanic Poetry)!! In honor of #NationalPoetryMonth: Daniel García Ordaz's poetry collection, You Know What I'm Sayin'?, is now available at a reduced price on Amazon: $8 for print and $3.50 for e-book version (or read this title for free if you have Kindle Unlimited!) El Zarape Press
http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-What-Im-Sayin/dp/0978995414
http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-What-Im-Sayin/dp/0978995414
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The Eye: A 4-Part Series: Pvt. Saburo Tanamachi and the 1933 Hurricane: Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Now free--please review! THE EYE: STORM FRONT . . . WWII, INTERNMENT CAMPS: A four--part narrative/featured article/journalistic series great for teaching narrative writing, allusions, history (WWII, including Jews, Hitler, Japanese Internment Camps, Heroes, irony, racism, etc.) as well as agriculture, sociology, civil rights, journalism, science, math, health, government, ethics. #SaburoTanamachi
Read Articles Here!
Read Articles Here!
In honor of #NationalPoetryMonth: Daniel García Ordaz's poetry collection, You Know What I'm Sayin'?, is now available at a reduced price on Amazon: $8 for print and $3.50 for e-book version (or read this title for free if you have Kindle Unlimited!) #ElZarapePress #YKWIS
http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-What-Im-Sayin/dp/0978995414
http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-What-Im-Sayin/dp/0978995414
Edward Vidaurre's Insomnia (poetry collection) now on sale! #NationalPoetryMonth
In honor of #NationalPoetryMonth: Edward Vidaurre's poetry collection, Insomnia, is now available at a reduced price on Amazon: $6 for print and $2.99 for e-book version (or read this title for free if you have Kindle Unlimited!) From
El Zarape Press.
http://www.amazon.com/Insomnia-Edward-Vidaurre-ebook/dp/B00KDHD6AQ
El Zarape Press.
http://www.amazon.com/Insomnia-Edward-Vidaurre-ebook/dp/B00KDHD6AQ
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Conference Paper About Corky Gonzalez and Daniel Garcia Ordaz!
How cool is that! A conference paper about my poetry! #Flattered!
http://www.melus.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2012-MELUS-Conference-Program.pdf
Garcia, George G. Univ. of Texas at Brownsville. “Poetry of Rodolfo ‘Corky’ Gonzales and Daniel Garcia Ordaz.” galbert9@aol.com
The 26th Annual Conference of the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) and the 8th Conference of the United States chapter of the Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (USACLALS) April 19-22, 2012 Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, California Hosted by Santa Clara University THEME: Ethnic Literatures and Transnationalism
http://www.melus.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2012-MELUS-Conference-Program.pdf
Garcia, George G. Univ. of Texas at Brownsville. “Poetry of Rodolfo ‘Corky’ Gonzales and Daniel Garcia Ordaz.” galbert9@aol.com
The 26th Annual Conference of the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) and the 8th Conference of the United States chapter of the Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (USACLALS) April 19-22, 2012 Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, California Hosted by Santa Clara University THEME: Ethnic Literatures and Transnationalism
My Poetry In University Classes!
How cool! If you're among (the few, the proud) professors and instructors and lecturers and teachers who use my poetry in your classes, please know I'm available for classroom visits, Skype sessions, in-person appearances, paranormal appearances, hallucinations, etc.! I am honored and flattered and grateful!
Welcome to English 2305! This course is titled Introduction to Poetry: Multicultural Perspectives in U.S. Poetry. In this course, we will be...http://ttueng2305.blogspot.com/2013/08/welcome-to-english-2305-this-course-is.html?spref=bl
Welcome to English 2305! This course is titled Introduction to Poetry: Multicultural Perspectives in U.S. Poetry. In this course, we will be...http://ttueng2305.blogspot.com/2013/08/welcome-to-english-2305-this-course-is.html?spref=bl
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