[encore] 476: Minneapolipstick by Rachel McKibbens - The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily Episode: [Encore] 476: Minneapolis Lipstick by Rachel McKibbens
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Host: Tracy K. Smith (Encore Episode)
Production: American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation

Introduction: Revisiting the Vault

[00:46] Major Jackson

In this special encore episode of The Slowdown, host Major Jackson takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the podcast's rich archive. Highlighting the enduring impact of previous hosts, Major introduces Tracy K. Smith's memorable episode as a testament to the show's evolving voice and its commitment to celebrating diverse poetic expressions.

"We're revisiting some standout moments from past hosts... This is just one of the many special selections from our archives."
— Major Jackson [00:46]

Personal Reflections: Music as Harmony in Chaos

[01:15] Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith opens the episode with a heartfelt reflection on the role of music in her household. She shares how dance parties serve as a unique method of conflict resolution, bringing her family together and restoring harmony amidst chaos. This personal anecdote sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the themes present in Rachel McKibbens' poem.

"Sometimes a dance party is the only means of conflict resolution in my house. Everyone gets to shake their thang, and then, magically, our household is restored to harmony."
— Tracy K. Smith [01:15]

Smith elaborates on her family's musical routines, highlighting how specific genres and artists help navigate the stresses of homeschooling and everyday life. This introduction underscores the poem's exploration of identity, memory, and the transformative power of art.

**Poem Reading: Minneapolis Lipstick by Rachel McKibbens**

[03:00] Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith presents Rachel McKibbens' evocative poem, "Minneapolis Lipstick," capturing the essence of youthful rebellion, identity formation, and the enduring influence of pop culture on queer youth.

"This Minnesota royalty freaks and splits, his body biblical throat raw with screeching doves, he pirouettes with his truest love, a pale pawn shop guitar we daydream of buying someday with our lunch money."
— Tracy K. Smith [03:00]

The poem delves into the vibrant imagery of a third-grade child's perspective, blending elements of music, fashion, and personal longing to portray the complexities of growing up queer. Themes of aspiration, defiance, and the search for self are intricately woven through McKibbens' vivid language.

"I am not yet a king but I got moxie and I move like I know I'll die young."
— Tracy K. Smith [04:00]

This line encapsulates the fearless spirit and the poignant awareness of mortality that often accompanies youthful identity struggles. The poem serves as both a celebration and a lament, reflecting the duality of empowerment and vulnerability.

Conclusion: Celebrating Queer Identity Through Poetry

[05:43] Major Jackson

Major Jackson wraps up the episode by acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind The Slowdown and extending gratitude to past producers and partners. He emphasizes the show's mission to inspire and engage listeners through carefully selected poetry that resonates across generations.

"We collectively take a moment to calm, to inspire, to learn, and to engage with the best emerging poets and established writers of our time."
— Major Jackson [05:43]

This episode, through Tracy K. Smith's introduction and Rachel McKibbens' poem, highlights the enduring power of poetry to capture and reflect the nuanced experiences of identity, particularly within the queer community.

Special Offer Highlight

[07:23] Poetry Magazine Representative

Listeners are invited to celebrate with a special offer from Poetry Magazine, providing a discount on subscriptions and exclusive access to a curated selection of significant poems.

"You can get $5 off a subscription to Poetry, plus a free download to 25 Poems for 2025."
— Poetry Magazine Representative [07:23]

Key Takeaways:

Music as a Unifying Force: Tracy K. Smith illustrates how music facilitates harmony and connection within her family, paralleling the unifying themes in poetry.
Queer Identity Exploration: Rachel McKibbens' poem delves into the complexities of growing up queer, highlighting themes of aspiration, defiance, and self-discovery.
The Power of Poetry: The Slowdown continues to honor diverse voices, providing a platform for both emerging and established poets to share their stories and insights.
Community and Collaboration: The episode underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in producing meaningful poetic content that resonates with a broad audience.

This encore episode serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of poetry and personal narratives in fostering understanding and empathy within diverse communities.

Transcript

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Major (0:46)

Hey there. It's major. As we take a look back at the Slowdown's deep well of episodes, we're revisiting some standout moments from past hosts. Today, we're going into the Vault to bring you an episode from Tracy K. Smith, one of the voices that helped shape the Slowdown into what it is today. This is just one of the many special selections from our archives.

Tracy K. Smith (1:15)

I'm Tracy K. Smith, and this is the Slowdown. Sometimes a dance party is the only means of conflict resolution in my house. The kids are beginning to feel restless and cagey. We're all feeling that way, so when tempers flare, we crank Lizzo, David Bowie, James Brown and a bevy of 1980s dance hits that take my husband and me back to an awkward and oddly comforting mental place. Everyone gets to shake their thang, and then, magically, our household is restored to harmony. Or semi harmony. The other morning I woke up to the almost alarmingly adorable sight of all three kids eating breakfast while singing along to Space Oddity. If Atticus had decided to don the rainbow colored wig he sometimes wears, I would have had to lie back down. It would have been too much cuteness to bear, even for me. I wonder if it might be a good idea, while homeschooling is in effect for most of us to delve still deeper into the archive of useful and danceable music. Mondays roll up to the school week with Grace Jones. If it's Tuesday, it must be Earth, Wind and Fire day. Wednesdays, all prints all the time. You get the picture. More than just fun, it could be an empowering exercise in boundary busting and Persona building. Today's poem is Minneapolis lipstick by Rachel McKibbins 1 Santa Ana, CA 3:00am in my cousin's basement lights out. Television volume spun low. We are huddled around the screen, a small congregation of forgotten children, brown faces illuminated by a 5 foot 2 black man decked out in lace under eyeliner, spandex and the gutsiest high heeled boots big enough to fit only a mannequin. This Minnesota royalty freaks and splits, his body biblical throat raw with screeching doves, he pirouettes with his truest love, a pale pawn shop guitar we daydream of buying someday with our lunch money. 21984 what planet is this? A third grade heartbreak apostle I got a butch haircut my father calls a Dorothy Hamill. Nah Pops watch me pin the girls against the handball courts bold answering their tongues with my tongue My forbidden schoolyard brides, my makeshift apollonias. Once they're in love I pull away, bite my lower lip, wink then walk away. I am not yet a king but I got moxie and I move like I know I'll die young. Three boys will be boys unless they aren't four. This is what it sounds like to praise our heavenly bodies in spite of the hells that singed us into current form. For the permission you granted in sweat and swagger, for the mascaraed tears you'd shed on screen, for the juicy curls that hung over your right eye like dangerous fruit, for the studded shoulder pad realness and how your falsetto gospel rang our young queer souls awake, we say Amen.