I focused on volume 2, number 8 of the Center for Mennonite Writing. This issue contained four essays, two stories, and several poems all by the Indianapolis Writers Group, which is a group of Mennonite writers who meet and discuss every Saturday. The topic of this issue focused on Mennonite identity, and themes ranged from reflecting on so-called “cradle” Mennonites to those who were unfamiliar with the faith until adulthood. It was interesting to see how some of the writers portrayed what it meant to be Mennonite through Mennonite culture (or lack thereof), while others reflected on gaining their Mennonite identity through practicing Anabaptism and pacifism. I thought that this issue had a very good variety in style of literature, and it was interesting to see how each author had his or her own perspective on a similar issue.
For example, J. Daniel Hess tells in “My Mennonite Identity” of his life in the Mennonite church and the many experiences with different degrees of the religion, from super-conservative to more liberal. On the other hand, in “Bogart and Being Mennonite”, Ryan Ahlgrim speaks of what it was like for him to grow up outside of the church, then become a member, occasionally turning his back on the traditions of his own family. While Rodney Deaton writes on how he defines the term “aggressive Mennonite” and how he has struggles with taking on that identity, Shari Miller Wagner gives perspective through poetry on perhaps more typically traditional tales of the experiences of a Mennonite farm wife.
While I found these poems, essays, and stories to be of varying degrees of interest and quality, I thought all showed good depth and talent. It was interesting to hear through other’s essays how their Mennonite identity has been shaped, and the stories contained a good mix of insight and humor that lightened the journal. The poetry by Shari Miller Wagner, however, was by far my favorite. Although it expressed a more traditional or old-fashioned view of Mennonite identity, I thought that they captured much emotion as well as history in a form that expressed what it means to be a Mennonite artist.
One thing that caught my attention was that while both genders were represented in this issue, all of the writers were Caucasian. While I’m sure that this was not intentional, it would’ve been interesting to read work on Mennonite identity from a minority’s perspective. I thought the articles contained a good amount of diversity in what it means to be Mennonite, but perhaps including some different perspectives would give a more rounded view on the subject.
I think the idea of Mennonite writing represented uses different styles and means to reflect upon what makes a Mennonite a Mennonite, and how that can often depends on the person. Overall, I really enjoyed reading through this issue. Growing up as a “cradle Mennonite”, it was interesting for me to read about experiences that were similar to mine and very different from mine. Many of the articles caused me to think about how my upbringing and beliefs as a Mennonite affect my identity.
Kate, you make a good point about ethnic Mennonite writing being mostly European-American-Caucasian. This tends to be the case because Mennonites originated from Europe and stayed close to their own communities throughout the generations. Even though they were "othered" through a history of religious persecution and discrimination, such Mennonites are beneficiaries of "white privilege"in the US and Canada today. This is not to lessen the important contribution of ethnic Mennonite writers, but rather to point out that they do not represent the majority of today's Mennonites who, worldwide, are people of color.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, it's intriguing that your favorite work in this issue was Shari Miller Wagner's "Mennonite Farm Wife" series, which comes out of that white European-American ethnicity. Yet it's probably safe to say that the farm wife's point of view has rarely been heard in Mennonite circles.
Your comments offer a variety of ways to think about Mennonite identity and how it is represented.
Your observation about all of the members of this writing group being caucasian struck me. It's rare that I really notice and think about how "white" Mennonites are. THis made me think that it might be interesting to get one or two Mennonites who are minorities to contribute to our issue of the CMW Journal.
ReplyDeleteIn my response I also commented on how it's always interesting as a "cradle" Mennonite to hear the perspective and experience of "contract" Mennonites, a viewpoint that I thought Ryan Ahlgrim Rodney Deaton addressed very well.
Just to make a quick note, you do not say how Rodney Deaton defines “aggressive Mennonite.” Other than that, I like your post on the journal issue. I also like that you include that the writers were Caucasian but there was a difference in their perspectives. You also include that it was interesting to read these perspectives that were either the same or different than yours and that it “caused you to think about how your upbringing and beliefs as a Mennonite affect your identity.” I would be interested in knowing what the writers said that made you think about your Mennonite identity.
ReplyDelete