Acclaimed poet Julia Dinsmore who wrote the world-renown poem, “My Name is Not ‘Those People’” held an audience which filled the Backus stage — spellbound.
Preceding Dinsmore’s musical and poetic presentation on the truth about poverty, at Kootasca’s annual meeting Thursday, was a powerful speech by Minnesota Rep. Tom Anzelc. But it was Dinsmore’s authentic and emotional journey in the world of poverty which captured hearts, and ignited contemplation.
Dinsmore opened in a clear melodic voice, singing new words to the song, “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream,” and soon had all those who attended singing the emotional appeal. She would later receive a standing ovation following her recitation of her famed poem.
“I love the feeling here (at Backus),” Dinsmore exclaimed, full of compliments on the atmosphere. “There’s kids eating right outside here and all kinda ages here. What a beautiful community!”
Dinsmore’s story of generational poverty reveals a journey of both love and bonds, but also ingrained expectations of being ignored and turned away from a society which lives in “academic towers” and does not invite the poor to contribute to poverty solutions.
“Hello, maybe we should be at the table and work together?” is Dinsmore’s plea. “We don’t need the ‘poverty industry.’ Perhaps WE could help end it.”
Worse, a percentage of the poor is structured into our capitalistic and class system, she says. “I guess we’re (the poor) doing a great service!”
Anzelc reminded the crowd that politicians have been reluctant to stand with the poor — “the last, the least and the left behind.”
“Minnesota is losing its great tradition of caring for its people,” he added.
Dinsmore also enumerated the travails of being up against do-gooders who minimize the complexity of poverty by suggesting the solution is “a presentable outfit to wear,” or “giving my kids dance lessons,” or suggesting that her dreams are of being more like the giver.
“Excuse me, I like being me,” she said, adding that real help means being useful. “The only trouble with Christianity is we haven’t learned how to practice it yet,” she said, only half-joking.
The lack of accessible and affordable housing remains one of the gargantuan burdens of the poor, Dinsmore related.
She is part humanitarian, part poet, part singer, part researcher and part brilliant comedian speech-maker. And she is still poor.
She ended her presentation with “the power of the poem” and by reading it, added the emotion and anguish with which the work was likely conceived originally.
“I love you very much,” she ended, thanking the Kootasca workers and others who attended. “You are very much appreciated.”
