An Interview by Kandice Cole
Frank X. Walker is a multi-disciplinary artist and award-winning poet. He is a native of Danville, Kentucky and has spent much of his career teaching and working to support artists of color from the Appalachian region. He is also the creator of the word Affrilachian and founding member of the Affrilachian Poets, writers who "reveal relationships that link identity to familial roots, socio-economic stratification and cultural influence, and an inherent connection to the land."
Walker's body of work often explores themes of family, identity and place. Through art, he makes the invisible visible, exploring social justice issues that have relevance for the region and its people.
ORIGINS
Can you tell us a little about your origins?
WALKER
If when you say "origins" you mean where I grew up, I'd say everything about my origins has affected me. Growing up in the south and being made aware of social injustice has influenced my activity as an artist activist. Growing up in a space where there has never been a long line of black male poets has influenced my productivity. I always feel like I have to write more, that I'm writing for more than one poet. Growing up in the projects, poor, raised by a single mother who was also a Pentecostal minister gave me lots of material, and motivation to create work that showed the beauty and dignity of my origins and shattered the stereotypes as often as possible.
ORIGINS
Have you always thought of yourself as an artist activist? Do you feel that other artists, particularly writers of color, are obligated to use their platform to address social injustice?
WALKER
I haven't always considered myself an artist activist. My activism may have been born in high school, but it was shaped and tested as a college student. And I don't think artists of color are obligated to address social issues, but the reality is such that in this country social injustice disproportionately impacts people of color. And if artists are presenting autobiographical or creative work shaped by their lived experience it might look like most of us do. But I feel all art is political and art that makes an effort to avoid saying anything political is making an even louder political statement.
ORIGINS
In many ways I feel that poetry is/was always around me, even if it wasn't officially "categorized" as that. From my grandmother reading scriptures to songs at church to childhood recitations while playing games. When were you introduced to poetry? When did you decide that you would use poetry as a medium to tell stories?
WALKER
I was a big reader as a kid. Most children's books are essentially long rhyming narrative poems. So, I'd say it started then. Poetry is just one of the languages I speak. I have written for the stage, fiction, essays, journalistic pieces, film and visual art. I dabbled in middle school but began taking it seriously in high school.
ORIGINS
Does poetry allow you an artistic freedom that other genres do not?
WALKER
The freedom to use emotions, to be political, and experiment with forms are a few ways poetry allows freedoms that might be frowned upon in other genres, especially when it comes to crafting historical poetry.
ORIGINS
The subjects of your books range from Medgar Evers to Isaac Murphy to a man struggling with drug addiction. How do you choose the subjects of your books? Do you ever think about how your reader may respond?
WALKER
I don't worry about choosing my subjects; I’m not sure that they don't choose me instead. I am thinking about a general adult audience when I write. I've had work challenged or pulled from collections because publishers thought it was too mature.
ORIGINS
Does this ever make you doubt yourself as a writer?
WALKER
No. I'm comfortable with why I write. I'm committed to it, too. I've never really had any problems with publishing. I also respect publishers’ rights to package the book they think will sell. Where I draw the line is watering down or editing my work to make it more appealing or acceptable or accessible for children. I'm writing for adults and mature young people who can stomach an interrogation of real things.
ORIGINS
What are some examples of these interrogations?
WALKER
I think all the poems in the collection that is Turn Me Loose is filled with poems that interrogate.
ORIGINS
What excites you about the future of the Affrilachian poets and other writers of color in the region? Have you created a movement?
WALKER
It is very exciting to imagine the full potential of Affrilachia realizing its potential as a regional force. It has been satisfying connecting with other established artists and teaching and mentoring young artists and writers. Grandfathering their development and building community is how I think of my Affrilachian arts activities, not as leading a movement.
To learn more about Frank X. Walker and his work, please visit www.frankxwalker.com.