We recently connected with Lucretia Tye Jasmine and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lucretia Tye Jasmine, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
There are several examples. One of the earliest was when I was probably seven years old. I was eating breakfast with family when I noticed red liquid on the plate. I wondered what it was, and so I asked about it. There was an awkward silence at the table and then one person matter-of-factly said, “Blood. From the meat.” I looked at the food and suddenly understood. “From an animal?” I further asked. Everyone nodded, a few people laughed as several new conversations began, and they continued eating. Everyone seemed relieved that someone had handled my question, which really was a question of ethics and empathy. I felt horror at the comprehension.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My first published book, ’70s Teen Pop, launches in October, 2023. It’s for the new 33 1/3 series, Genre, published by Bloomsbury. ’70s Teen Pop is a poptimistic manifesto with a sober undertone!
During the 1970s, teen pop sometimes worked subversively, challenging the status quo it seemed to represent. Rooted in minstrelsy, jazz, and big band music, the teen pop idol emerged from their solo instrumentalist and singing stars. Rock ‘n roll, boy bands, girl groups and the counterculture heralded ’70s teen pop as cultivation of the teen idol through touring, airplay and media created a devoted fandom. Teen pop during the 1970s showcased a wild and romantic diversity: cartoon pop and made-for-TV bands! Bubblegum pop! Glam! Hip hop! Hard rock and pop rock and stadium rock! Punk! Disco! The music promoted feminism, immigration, sexual liberation and civil rights.
With lyrical insistence on self-awareness, intimate connection, rebellion, and fun, ‘70s teen pop appealed to an emerging romantic eroticism and autonomy. The music – and its portability and potential for mixing via cassette tapes and vinyl – provided a way for fans to believe they had something all their own, an authenticity experimenting with sexuality and social conduct, all dressed up in glitter and satin, blue jeans and boom boxes, torn fishnets and safety pins. 1970s teen pop reinforced aspects of the counterculture it absorbed. The music, like culture itself, was a unique mixtape.
’70s Teen Pop is organized like a boom box, with each chapter named after a boom box’s function: “Rewind,” “Play,” “Fast Forward,” “Record,” “Pause,” and “Stop/Eject.” I include liner notes, a ten track song list, and my sketch of a cassette tape. Here is a link to the publisher’s site:
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/series/genre-a-33-13-series/
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
There are so many, including the one I described earlier about empathy and animals! Here are three impactful experiences in my life: – The film and critical studies courses I took at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts from 1987-1988, especially those taught by Professors Paul Arthur, Boris Frumin, and Antonia Lant. A class at NYU about patriarchal language taught by Professor Alice Deakins. Those classes and professors taught me how to critically engage, and become an active rather than passive consumer of the arts and culture. The classes taught me how to be an activist every day. And night!
– One school day my junior year in 1982, Doug Proctor, the Vice-Principal of J. Graham Brown High School in Louisville, KY, walked by as I was about to ditch class. I immediately gave a bunch of blah blah to him, basically about why it was okay I was cutting school once again. He quietly listened, then said, “I sure would hate to have to rationalize everything I do, as you just did.” That comment was stunning, truly. Ever since then I strive to be as self-aware and honest as possible. And I try to be well-mannered about it.
– When my best friend and her boyfriend decided to beat me up when we were all about nine years old in 1975, I realized I could just leave. And so I did. I learned I could save myself.
Years later, a similar experience showed me how I did not want to be, because I’d been cruel, in that later experience. I think it’s sometimes easier for humans to be cruel because kindness requires patience, vigilance, self-knowledge and a willingness to be vulnerable.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I feel so overwhelmed a lot of the time! By the suffering, by the cruelties, by how long it takes to make progress, whether that progress is for everyone on the planet and the planet itself or just me. Whether it’s about my evolution as a being or a project I’m creating or the human species itself. Whew. It’s a lot. Here’s how I handle it: iced London Fogs, music I love, good television, good movies, good books. Prioritizing what I can get done. Talking on the phone, writing, making art. Being vegan.
When I’m overwhelmed by a project I separate it into parts I can do without flipping out. For example, when I felt overwhelmed by creating the entire Groupie Feminism art series, I decided to focus on one assemblage at a time, and within that, one aspect of each assemblage at a time: Gathering the objects. Doing the research. Putting the objects together. Writing the artist statement. Taking photos of the art. Another example is my ’70s Teen Pop book. I had a lot of crises the year I wrote that book, and plus I underestimated how long it would take to write! So I set myself goals I could do calmly and realistically: taking notes as I did research; doing an interview; transcribing an interview; drawing; and/or writing one hour per day minimum. Take two days off no matter what. If I did more, yay! If not, then that’s ok! Just do the minimum. I tried not to compare/despair; I know so many people who have way more energy and get a lot done faster. But I’m not one of them. So I figured out what I could do, which meant I did it.
It’s crucial to do self-care instead of self-harm. Sometimes it’s best to just lie down and rest.
I also find that how I speak to myself really affects how I’m feeling. My mom pointed that out, and it’s something I’m working on. I want to be in reality but not mean to myself. Or others! It’s really important how we speak to each other. I try to grasp all parts of the entire story rather than just the sad or troubling part of the story!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lucretiatyejasmine.com/
- Instagram: @LucretiaTyeJas
- Facebook: Lucretia Tye Jasmine
- Linkedin: Lucretia Ann Smith aka Lucretia Tye Jasmine
- Twitter: lucretia_tye_jasmine
Image Credits
All photos by Lucretia Tye Jasmine
