Oct. 21, 2004
by Holly Schwadron
Poet brings political, feminist conscience to New College stage
One of the ten most dangerous women is coming to New College tomorrow, Oct. 21. That is, "dangerous" according to Concerned Women of America, a conservative women's group. Alix Olson, a politically conscious slam poet, queer activist and woman warrior will yield her words to comfort, haunt, humor and intrigue students at Sudakoff Center at 8:00 p.m. Howard Zinn, one of Olson's influences and author of "The People's History of the United States," called her a "brilliant performer, an ingenious poet, a serious thinker, a funny person. She brought me to my feet."This is one turbulent time for her presence to grace New College. The political tension is thick in the air and her performance is less than two weeks shy of the Nov. 2 general election. "I think that people in this country are fed up with the current administration and are taking bold steps ti dismantle it," Olson said via email. Just recently, she performed in politically hot events, such as her "Down with Bush" tour and the March for Women's Lives, where she performed for over a million people. "However, the latter part of my 'Down with Bush' tour is 'Left with Kerry,' which means that we need to celebrate Bush's demise , but then immediately begin to shove Kerry to the left," Olson explained. "My sense is that our country's disenfranchised people have come together to reconstruct the democracy that has been clearly and specifically denied us, buy the ridiculously early registration deadliness and the Florida-inspired registration blackouts. I hope that this is the beginning of a grassroots revolution, to demand that each and every voice matters in this country, designed around and built upon the voices of a very few privileged white men."
New College's political frustrations may feed her fire. On her experiences in playing in politically charged atmospheres, Olson stated, "I feel empowered by any group of people who are working to make this world a better place, who understand that we are humanitarians with a global connectivity to champion, and not just patriots with limited borders. Big shows are exciting because they exhibit a certain large exuberance, but not more so than a high school in Lincoln, Neb., which reminds me of the local, passionate rebellions." She does not, however, let her preconceptions of her audience affect her art. "I tend not to presuppose what my audiences believe, because my only goal is to convey the authenticity of my art and my values, and to hope that contributing just another untethered voice to the nucleus of grassroots struggle will expand our country's sense of the democratic voice."
"I am really excited about this event for multiple reasons," said second-year Thomas Knight. "Alix seems to embody a number of qualities of the New College student body," said third-year Thomas Knight. "Also, I believe that her coming to New College might bring some members of the Sarasota community to campus."
Olson has recently received many great honors. She was named the 2004 Outmusician of the Year." Outmusic is a network of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered musicians and supporters. On Aug. 29, she performed on HBO's Def Poetry Jam. In 2003, she received the "Visionary Award" from the Washington, D.C. Rape Crisis Center, which includes such past honorees as Gloria Steinem, Tori Amos, Patricia Ireland and Sarah Jones. According the Olson, her current influences are Michael Moore, Arundhati Roy, Howard Zinn, and other artists who take personal risks for the betterment of their sister/fellow humans."
When asked about what she hopes to experience at her performance at New College, Olson said, I hope to see students and staff curious about alternative radical voiceage or new forms of poetry; undecided voters, searching for an additional perspective; feminists and/or queers in need of support; wild-eyed first-years looking for cool things to do to write home about."