Left Is Our Language

in reflection of Freedom and Resistance Exhibition inspired by The 1619 Project

In-person

One Day

A poetry component crafted by María Fernanda after a large-scale exhibition for the DC Public Library’s The People’s Archive. The title of this program is directly inspired by María Fernanda’s “New Year’s Eve” poem. This program has a special focus on the sister, mati, and friendship.

Celebrate Left Is Our Language and the curriculum

“Maria Fernanda’s workshop was a great way to practice community listening and admire how Washingtonians keep art alive.” —Left Is Our Language attendee

“I am in awe of the creative door you’ve opened for me, places I never dreamed existed. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” —Left Is Our Language attendee

What People Are Saying

  • I loved every bit and walked out with a couple of poems to complete. Thank you!

    — Left Is Our Language attendee

  • I enjoyed the workshop. I’m not typically a poet or writer and the concepts and subjects were easy to grasp.

    — Left Is Our Language attendee

  • Positive energy from the instructor [who] encourages engagement so you’re not just being talked at your engaged throughout.

    — Left Is Our Language participant

  • I sent this event to my friend who’s a poet who eventually invited me to join. I went in curious and left fulfilled in inspiration. I told my friend and the instructor that my comfort zone is in academic writing, but from this experience I am motivated to explore creative writing.

    — Left Is Our Language attendee

  • It has been a while (years) since I have given poetry my presence and time so it was a nice reintroduction! I typically write every now and then but not with consistency. María Fernanda reminded me how fun the challenge can be.

    — Left Is Our Language attendee

More about the event

Explore generations of language with award-winning poet María Fernanda in this poetry experience in reflection of Freedom and Resistance: An Exhibition inspired by The 1619 Project. Participants will consider the many histories of a word, a name, a home, and so much more. Generative writing exercises are inspired by excerpts of poems, in-library literary archives, and other sources. Visitors will be invited to select a word, follow its etymology (chart provided), and then replace each root word with their own poetic lines. For advanced poetry enthusiasts and first-time writers, alike, this program is available to all and free of charge. Feel free to bring a notebook or paper and a writing utensil. This event is presented as part of the programming accompanying Freedom and Resistance:An Exhibition inspired by The 1619 Project.

Support and learn about the history that inspired the series. Each description below is a starting point for readers to research further:

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