Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Oswald vs. Aurum
Well, now. This is big. Several major poets shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize, the UK's equivalent of the Pulitzer in terms of prestige, have asked to be removed, in protest at the sponsorship by a hedge fund, Aurum. This seems like very bad news for The Poetry Book Society. I wonder how come no one noticed until now that in an age of austerity, poets might not want to be associated with capitalist institutions? I am not sure the protest entirely makes sense - is Alice Oswald against all capitalism? Her publisher markets and sells her books, and no doubt has a business account with a bank, and investments. It seems a staggering gesture, but one that in some ways seems self-defeating. Poets can appear aloof. Now they appear begrudging of a potential major prize, when many people would work a year for £15,000.
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Alice Oswald's comments smack of jumping on the Occupy Wall St bandwagon. Man Group, another financial manager, sponsors the Booker. Should those authors withdraw, too? Does she, I wonder, actually know what a hedge fund does?
ReplyDeleteSimply, replace the word capitalism with power (in all recent media of late). It matters not what econcomic system is in place, the merits of, the good and bad we can argue all day. It is telling them who behold the power, whether that be, hedge funds, government, teachers, parents, church, boss, etc: you are not welcome at our table. Where i have the power to choose - and in most of our life we sadly don't - i will ignore you. This is my party, go away. I think that is what ALice is saying, and i love her for it.
ReplyDeleteDear Todd
ReplyDeleteKaty posted on the same subject and has had quite a lot of reaction on her blog.
Best wishes from Simon