Shantel's interview: teaching literature as a TA.

Short Bio
Shantel Martin, 26, from New York. College graduate and I’m still creating my path.

Our students loved your lesson about The Harlem Renaissance: can you tell us why you chose it and how it is important to you?
Black History and the evolution of the black race is a topic I am very passionate about. The black race in almost every culture outside of Africa, the black race is one of the most tabooed race and it is important to me to not only understand why but also to try and change the image of the black race in other people’s lives. The Harlem Renaissance is a reflection and a testament to the shift that took place in black history in the United States. It represents the advancements and accomplishments that black people achieved despite having every imaginable disadvantage placed against them. Overcoming adversity, strife and suffering, they displayed their resilience through excellence and triumph. That is why I love the period of the Harlem Renaissance so much. I think my students shared my adoration for the subject because they could feel my passion. I took my time to explain and answer any of their questions and misinterpretations thoroughly. In my opinion, one’s love and passion about a subject is enough to, at the very least, gain respect and admiration for that topic as well from others.

Who is your favorite author?
My favorite author is Zora Neale Hurston. She was a writer from the south that moved to Harlem, NY during the Harlem Renaissance. I love her style of writing. Her skills with writing allowed her to connect the world of literature with that of the poor south. Her detail and choice of vocabulary allows her readers to imagine what it would be like to be present in those scenes.

What are your five favorite works?
Zora Neale Hurston, Moses Man of the Mountain. I love how Hurston takes the story of exodus and incorporates it into racial slavery in America. She takes the biblical story and creates a fictional one that resonates with the lifestyle of slaves. The story of exodus is a story of hope, faith and patience. Three traits that have the power to change a person’s life, powerful traits that allow you to look beyond the surface of the situation. These are traits that many people struggle with because of society and social norms. It’s a beautiful story with a powerful message.

Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman is one of my favorite poems as well as one of my favorite works from her. Personally, I enjoy this poem because I find it to be liberating and inspiring. Inspiring to ALL women which I think admirable of a writer who was active throughout the Civil Rights Movement, a period that she could have chosen to focus solely on the black race but she did not. This poem is inspiring to all women because women are often overlooked and undervalued especially when they don’t fit into society’s image of a “perfect woman.”

Richard Wright’s Uncle Tom’s Children. I loved this book, it was composed of 5 short stories that were so heart clenching and emotional. Fictional stories that allowed you to imagine yourself in that time and moment. Accurately displaying the importance of race, color and power. It is important for me to feel a sense of passion when I am reading because I can easily become distracted and lose my focus. These short stories were nothing short of passionate. They were able to attract your sympathy and compassion and I believe that’s what makes his stories so great.

James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk. I enjoyed this book because I feel like a lot of the issues that were present are still current pressing issues that some believe no longer exist. It’s a depiction of what it was like to be black in America. A necessary awareness that to this day is unrecognized and ignored and for as long as it is overlooked, change cannot take place because the root of the evil if ignored.

Paul Coelho, The Alchemist. This is a story of following your heart, mind and faith for your own personal growth and development. It is the story of believing in the ifs and finding your own answers in life. I’ve spent many days in my life feeling down, depressed and discouraged and so I really focus on the positives. I focus on taking control of my life and making decisions that will bring me the most fulfillment. It is important for me to be optimistic and hopeful because life can be challenging and difficult. It is easy to lose yourself in the struggle, so it is absolutely important to maintain a positive outlook and more important to realize we are in charge of our decisions, destinations and fulfillment. Sometimes that means having the courage to go against other people’s expectations for our lives and being the curator of our faith. The Alchemist is the perfect tale for one who faces those same battles.

What would you like to tell your students?
I’d love to tell my students to have courage and to be brave. To have the courage to chase your dreams no matter how out of reach they may seem because if you shoot for the moon you just might land on a star! It is important to follow your mind, stick to your thoughts and to block out everything else that does not coincide. Surround yourself with supportive people and friends because on your down days those are the individuals that will propel you forward in times of doubt. Those are the people who undeniably believe in your talents and will not let you forget them! Lastly, do not waste your time, doing things, taking jobs or classes that will not add value to your craft or your passion, things that go in the opposite direction of your vision. When we do things we are not interested in, or do them for others, we lose our passion and there is nothing worse than doing something half-right. You build your confidence when you excel and perfect your areas of interest, even when you fail the first time around. You owe it to yourself to set YOU up for success! I give you this advice because I am reflecting on my own life, my own fears that held me back and my own mistakes that I wish I had the courage to overcome back then. I wish I knew then what I know now. So, learn from me and practice preparing yourself for success!

Thank you so much dear Shantel!

Harlem Rennaissance by Shantel Martin de Marie-Hélène Fasquel-Erhart