Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Tracy K. Smith, Saeed Jones, and Meklit (Black History Month Special) Live Wire with Luke Burbank | PRX | Release Date: January 31, 2025

Introduction

In a special celebration of Black History Month, Live Wire with Luke Burbank brings together some of the most influential voices in contemporary literature and music. Hosted by Luke Burbank, this episode features Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith, acclaimed writer and poet Saeed Jones, and the innovative musician McLeet. Through deep conversations and artistic performances, the episode explores themes of freedom, resilience, identity, and the enduring impact of history on the present.

Conversation with Tracy K. Smith

Guest: Tracy K. Smith
Book Discussed: To Free the A Plea for the American Soul
Release Time Stamps: Multiple throughout the conversation

Exploring Freedom and Historical Legacy

Tracy K. Smith delves into the central premise of her memoir, To Free the A Plea for the American Soul, where she distinguishes between "being free" and "being freed." She articulates a profound observation about the American collective consciousness:

Tracy K. Smith [05:31]: "In the American imagination, there's a group of people who we imagine have always been and will always be free. And it's attached to whiteness in many ways. And for the rest of us, people who descend from histories of violence or colonization or other forms of oppression, we are freed."

Smith reflects on her father's upbringing in Sunflower, Alabama, emphasizing the strength and creativity that sustained her family through systemic segregation:

Tracy K. Smith [06:36]: "It just reminds me of the black love and care and creativity with which his family and he found ways to thrive in a world, in a state, in a system of segregation that was really designed to impede that for black people."

Personal Narratives and Family History

Smith shares intimate stories about her parents' experiences, highlighting the persistent challenges they faced despite their efforts to build a better life:

Tracy K. Smith [10:04]: "There were people for whom the blow of that sense of discrimination disappeared... part of the insidious nature of segregation is that it's something you don't get used to. It's something that can take the wind out of you each time."

She discusses her journey through understanding her parents' struggles and the legacy they left behind, revealing how her father's professional setbacks and familial obligations shaped her own path:

Tracy K. Smith [13:30]: "There was this bill from the federal government saying, you owe us $1,030 for overshipment of household goods. I knew that he felt accused of stealing or lying... he was an honest man and we were a big family."

Themes of Sobriety and Hope

Addressing personal challenges, Smith opens up about her sobriety and the transformative power of accountability and community support:

Tracy K. Smith [23:27]: "After I had three young kids, I went through a period of intense grief... So there came a moment where I feel like there was like a divine intervention where I said, I really want... it was never going to feel right."

She expresses hope for societal change, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility and the potential for liberation through mutual support:

Tracy K. Smith [24:55]: "I have kids, and so I really need to be hopeful... part of sobriety for me is realizing that it's not a burden to accept accountability. It's actually, you know, it could be this wonderful form of liberation."

Conversation with Saeed Jones

Guest: Saeed Jones
Book Discussed: Alive at the End of the World
Release Time Stamps: Multiple throughout the conversation

Navigating Grief and Queerness

Saeed Jones explores the intricate relationship between grief and queerness in his poetry collection, Alive at the End of the World. He discusses how personal loss and cultural narratives intersect to shape his creative expression:

Saeed Jones [30:05]: "I find power in acknowledging that perhaps I'm still enthralled to a dynamic that I would very much like to move on from or claim a sense of power in relation to."

Jones addresses the societal pressures to move past emotional experiences, critiquing the capitalist ethos that discourages prolonged grief and self-examination:

Saeed Jones [34:04]: "Capitalism... move on, get up, because you got to get back to work."

Poetry as Personal and Collective Memory

He discusses the blurred lines between fiction and nonfiction in his poetry, highlighting how his work serves as both personal memoir and collective history:

Saeed Jones [40:11]: "This is a nonfiction poem where essentially, like, looking at poetry's potential to kind of function as a personal essay."

Jones reads a poignant poem from his collection, illustrating his contemplations on grief and memory:

Saeed Jones [31:19]: "I wonder if my dead mother still thinks of me... I wonder if I'm the song she hums as she waits for the light to change."

Cultural Reflections and Historical Figures

In discussing his inspirations, Jones references iconic figures like Maya Angelou and Billie Holiday, exploring their influence on his work and understanding of black identity:

Saeed Jones [35:56]: "Maya Angelou is really homophobic because of rumors about Billie Holiday's bisexuality. She says, I mean, very transparent in her own writing."

He reflects on the complexity of these relationships and their impact on contemporary black culture:

Saeed Jones [38:42]: "It's incredible. What are the odds?"

Musical Performance by McLeet

Musical Guest: McLeet
Performance: "I Want to Sing for Them All"
Release Time Stamp: [46:00]

Ethio Jazz Fusion

McLeet captivates the audience with her unique blend of East African sounds and Bay Area influences, creating a vibrant Ethio jazz performance. Her song, "I Want to Sing for Them All," serves as an anthem that encapsulates her cultural heritage and personal artistry:

McLeet [46:06]: "We're gonna hear a song for you called I Want to Sing for Them All. This is my anthem. All my Ethiopian influences and my American influences put together into one very danceable number."

Her performance underscores the episode's themes of cultural migration and the synthesis of diverse musical traditions, offering listeners an exhilarating experience that bridges continents and generations.

Conclusion

This Live Wire episode serves as a compelling tribute to Black History Month, weaving together powerful narratives and artistic expressions that highlight the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the Black community. Through heartfelt conversations with Tracy K. Smith and Saeed Jones, complemented by McLeet's dynamic musical performance, the episode offers listeners a profound exploration of history, identity, and the pursuit of freedom.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tracy K. Smith [05:31]: "In the American imagination, there's a group of people who we imagine have always been and will always be free..."

• Tracy K. Smith [10:04]: "There were people for whom the blow of that sense of discrimination disappeared..."

• Tracy K. Smith [23:27]: "After I had three young kids, I went through a period of intense grief..."

• Saeed Jones [30:05]: "I find power in acknowledging that perhaps I'm still enthralled to a dynamic that I would very much like to move on from..."

• Saeed Jones [34:04]: "Capitalism... move on, get up, because you got to get back to work."

• McLeet [46:06]: "We're gonna hear a song called I Want to Sing for Them All. This is my anthem..."

Tune in to Live Wire with Luke Burbank for more enriching conversations and performances that celebrate diverse voices and stories shaping our world today.