UP and Michigan poet laureates encourage understanding different cultures through poetry

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Two Michigan poets encourage you to connect with different cultures through poetry.

On Thursday night, Michigan Humanities hosted ‘Bridging Michigan: Building Understanding Through Poetry.’

The discussion featured U.P. Poet Laureate Dr. Beverly Matherne, a professor at NMU, and Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer. NMU Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Shawnrece Campbell moderated the discussion.

One of the main messages from both poet laureates is broadening your worldview. At the event, both Dr. Matherne and Comer encouraged readers to consider reading authors they may not normally consider.

“There’s a poem for everyone, right,” Comer explained “So, I think most of the time, if people don’t feel like they see themselves in poetry, they have not met the right poem yet. If you have not met the right poem yet it’s probably because you’ve been reading too narrowly.”

“I think sharing and getting out our special message is important,” Dr. Matherne added.

To learn more about Dr. Beverly Matherne, you can visit her website.

Comer’s website can be found here.

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