Claire McMahon

for hon402 :) • she/her

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

The past is often thought of as separate from the present and future, when in reality the three are dependent on one another. To forget slavery’s past is to ignore its legacy on the present and future. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

I see a lot of connections to Kiki Petrosino’s poetry that we read earlier in the semester, specifically in the discussion of unknown origin and unknown family history. Do you see a connection to any other books/readings from this semester? #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

This is another passage that reminded me of Petrosino’s “White Blood.” These gaps are caused by the violent and erasing reality of the slave trade. Petrosino made these gaps literal in her poetry. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@HennyRansdell Totally agree! Multicultural, yet unable to be fully defined due to the nature of the slave trade. It’s a privilege to know your genealogy, and this privilege is largely not one belonging to black Americans. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@HennyRansdell I agree! The word alien comes up in the news so much now, most often referring to “illegal aliens.” It’s a way to make groups of people seem like “the other,” and it’s often used to make a person or group of people appear more threatening and like they don’t belong #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@HennyRansdell That line stuck out to me as well! It reminded me of Kiki Petrosino’s “White Blood” and how a search for ancestry through genealogy often yields ambiguous results that aren’t concrete for Black Americans, due to the slave trade and erasing of identities #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@HennyRansdell Although my education discussed slavery, it never went into much detail, and perpetuated the idea that inequality ended in America once the enslaved people were freed. It didn’t teach the entire truth and slavery’s horrors were often minimized. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

Meant to type this in each episode description! Each episode does mention and describe acts of violence, so be mindful of that if you choose to listen. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

Hey guys! I have a few podcast recommendations for y’all. Each is an episode of Snap Judgement. I listen to it on spotify but I believe it’s available through Apple podcasts as well! #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

The Speed Art Museum just opened the exhibit “Promise, Witness, Remembrance.” It follows the life of Breonna Taylor and archives the impact her murder had on Louisville and the world. The exhibit is free to everyone and was developed in conversation with Breonna’s mother. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

3.) Outbreak at San Quentin. This episode follows the deadly outbreak of COVID-19 in San Quentin prison. The stories are told from people on the inside #HON402 https://t.co/bRWC0Ydgv4

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

Hey guys! I have a few podcast recommendations for y’all. Each is an episode of Snap Judgement. I listen to it on spotify but I believe it’s available through Apple podcasts as well! #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

2.) the Happening. This episode follows the story of a father and son. The son is imprisoned in Parchman for the murder of his brother, a murder he claims was an accident that happened when he was a teenager. (CW: violence) #HON402 https://t.co/We61idhR5a

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@blueberrydruid Yes! She wants this ideal family with Michael but doesn’t want to put the work in to raise her children. She also sees her children as objects that get in the way of her getting what she wants #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

Leonie sees Jojo as an extension of Pop and Mam, and not herself. She looks to him almost as an authority figure, and she’s forced him to become caretaker to Kayla. It’s interesting to see her look at her own son this way - it’s telling of her feelings towards her own son #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@AldridgeJaclyn Totally agree! And it manifests in multiple ways: Given “haunting” her, her jealousy/anger towards her children, her drug use, her feelings towards her parents, etc. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

Leonie is clearly overwhelmed as a mother. She’s immature, and takes her anger and grief out on her own children, refusing to acknowledge her feelings surrounding Given’s death head on. #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

@AldridgeJaclyn I also think she sees her children as things that are in the way of her ideal life with Michael. Like, if she didn’t have children she could do whatever she wanted with Michael and only have to worry about herself #HON402

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

Here’s an article about Sherrill Roland who was wrongfully imprisoned while receiving his MFA - he started the Jumpsuit Project, a performance piece in which he mimics his time in jail outside for people to witness #HON402 https://t.co/gGQW4QXgR9

[Claire McMahon @cemcma01]

I find it so interesting how Richie is imprisoned at Parchman even in death. Why make this decision as an author? What do you think it symbolizes? #HON402