Junot Díaz: Immigrants, Masculinity, Nerds, & Art

[@KaiScott]

This was tough to watch. There is all kind of body language from Junot that doesn't come up in his other interviews online. Regardless of the challenges, he is so eloquent, direct, and captivating in his responses.

[@akisearu93]

I didn't care for the moderator, but Junot handled the interview well and guided it in the right direction.

[@sheemakarp6424]

“This is what I know about Dominicans.” 😱 And it goes downhill from there. God bless Junot & his clarity, modesty, & his just goddamn beauty of thought 🙏❤️🙏

[@LisaKinnard]

He is so brilliant. I'm so glad that he discovered his gift of writing, but also the ability to deliver truth in written and verbal forms

[@jambrozova]

This man is one amazing, amazing and clever guy. Our society needs more of such people. Thank you for this video, I want to read his books immediately.

[@awanderingprince]

My God, I've never before seen an interviewer so out of his depth ... Junot of course was great.

[@latitax3]

So important that he discusses masculinity because one hears only the flip side: feminism. It is very crucial for young men to hear a man discuss the concept of male privilege and to understand its profound effects on females, the household, and larger society inside and outside Dominican culture. So humbled by his articulate intellectual nature...bravo Junot!!

[@latitax3]

Also the moderator is a racist douchebag. In the beginning he says that he would have never guessed that Junot Diaz (at the time a dominican delivery boy) would win a McArthur award over his elitist Harvard educated ass assuming that those fellowships belong to persons like him (i.e. white, elitist, and persons commonly associated with intelligence, creativiity) etc. when in fact he proves how much of an ignorant dumbass he is

[@FreekinEkin2]

Isn't it interesting that all the authors he lists as being in the American canon are male? ... Has he never even studied literature before?

[@rozzjack]

He is so amazing! I could sit and listen to him for hours.

[@babyitsromance]

My God this is tough to watch. Those first 20 minutes ... Man how the moderator just "OTHERS" Junot, his work, and "ethnic" literature in general.

[@Malekelmful]

Its not his fault, a thousand years of ethnocentricity centered in most of the civilized world down to the individual level. We are all our own center, every(thing)one else revolves around us. To the left or right of us, infront or behind of us. Its almost a consequence of our anatomical design and functionality. Truth is, we all do this. When "We" isn't a matter of country or culture, its a matter of region or race, sex, sexuality, gender, local sport teams, dietary preference, shit even fashion. Take a household, for instance, and notice how quickly we adjust the frames of references that frame who we, the I, and they, even(thing)one else is. Even in your own, you do it. Without even realizing. You are the child, they are the parents, and those are your siblings. Until, of course, you are the parent, and they are the children. And these adjustments are seamless. Easy. Notice how different we all behave in the classroom. How suddenly we all become students the moment we step foot on campus. All, undoubtedly, under the invisible influence of your mental adjustment meant to divide and isolate ourselves from whatever we can so as to maintain our sense of self. The propaganda a country will feed its populace for war is not unlike the commercials of the local sports team. In the constant expanding, compressing, changing of the world around us, it is human nature to alter our own place in relation to these things so that we remain, always, in the center.

[@Malekelmful]

....lol my bad...i wasn't myself when I wrote this...blame it on the a-a-a-aderoll...

[@aydh83]

Ilyssa Russ Wow, at around 31:00 the interviewer starts talking about comic books writing quality with him, and then just stops himself, shakes his head, and goes right back to "other"ing him, reinserting the "cultural" theme into his questions.

[@roxy299]

Ilyssa Russ The voice of the Dominican immigrant experience though? Yea.. I could not watch the video and look at Diaz having his head down.

[@sumerates]

Malek Elmadari wow u blew my mind

[@mrskauvaka]

what an amazing down to earth public intellectual. we need more of him.

[@electricsheepfilms]

"Isn't it amazing how white supremacy narrativizes people?" BAM. The dude's a boss. I didn't like Oscar Wao during my first readthrough but I think I might give it another chance. And I'll check out his other work.

[@JaggedEdgeBouldering]

Why does Junot have to teach the interviewer while also answering questions?

[@roflmows]

if you like Diaz, you HAVE to read "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez--another dominican author. yes, it LOOKS like fluffy chick lit about butterflies and girly sister relationships, but don't be fooled--this book isn't The Joy Luck Club (though that's a good book too). "Butterflies" is incredibly gripping and poignant....and very scary in its own way O.o go read it!

[@joediazjr8809]

I was honored to be able to ask him a question. To be able to exchange with such an inspirational writer, whom I see so much of myself in--within his writing and social thought. Joe Diaz

[@joyh.729]

Junot Diaz's eloquence and form. Like watching art in motion...

[@tomcallahan6716]

who chose the moderator? maybe moderators should know and be able to at least articulate the names of the author's books and not be more into themselves than Diaz (seemed to me). also not expecting people to see their white supremacist perceptions (even if reflecting on their ignorance) as comedic) would be a plus

[@noeulkang4640]

43:18 my ears exploded

[@ervca06]

I love Peter Sagal on npr, I think that he did a good job as a naive interviewer. I think I appreciate the questions he asks and how Junot answers them because as a Latino, I get a lot of those questions all the time. I really appreciate how Junot answers them, fearless and with authenticity.

[@TheBellajj]

I love Junot Diaz! So passionate, intelligent and creative.

[@lisanakamura9659]

this is the best thing i have ever seen.

[@Yequina]

The lack of knowledge of the interviewer- Mr. "I didn't know anything" is truly insulting and makes for a one sided interview...thank God for Junot's tact and grace through his bullshit.

[@roflmows]

i'm not a huge fan of Diaz's books, but i recognize him as a fantastic author and a true modern voice of dominican people. he seems like a really intelligent and sincere type of guy. despite my dislike for his books, i certainly don't disdain them or his efforts....i guess his messages just don't really resonate with me. i'd still like to meet him and shake his hand, though. and i don't stress about it...i doubt he'd like MY books either, and i'm ok with that, because good art is about diversity and variety...not everything being homogeneous :) you gotta give him credit for speaking his mind and writing his messages instead of creating pop fluff that has mass appeal and no soul. thank you for being yourself, mr. diaz--we aspiring authors need encouragement that OUR individual messages and stories are worth telling!

[@l.w.paradis2108]

Diaz is a true genius. Love him.

[@gabbymatty2774]

This dude was at my school today. . . we took a pic and I hugged him!

[@nicholasleon5584]

Life goals, he is so great

[@gabbymatty2774]

+Nicholas Leon he was hilarious

[@ubiquitousseymone]

Wow. I loved this interview and Q&A. "Gather all the black athletes and their wives, you have to ask your self, is there a system here."

[@scionnole]

I've just caught on to the genius of Junot Diaz (late but thankful I can soak in all of the wisdom at the moment)

[@kozemchuk]

peter is way out of his depth here.

[@juanpadilla3203]

agreed, he's fine for his news show but Junot is on another level. My dude speaks whats really going on, the real job of an intellectual. In an age of anti-intellectualism culture.

[@shamzphoenix6830]

Who is this Peter Sagal? as a mixed race South African, seriously, who is this guy? i want to say he can't be real but I read the news - across the world - and I know that he does? I'm glad that he had the opportunity to have this conversation. There are so many of us existing in ignorance to varying degrees

[@ednalizschettini2491]

Wow. Se lo comiò. Bravo, Junot. ❤

[@rashmika9742]

"The particular allows us to, in a more ample way, imagine the collective." ~Junot Díaz

[@ricomarez7834]

The question section is really great.

[@efanshel]

This man is so smart-writing is a very scary thing- once the book is done you're not in control of the outcome...

[@mariae.9385]

So, so much rich, spot-on truth from Díaz here. Can I please audit all his classes? Sagal makes a fool of himself.

[@robjackson5245]

A Dominican man speaking. Now that shit is gangsta. This nigga Junot Diaz is a TRUE G!

[@gingesplode]

Education should be for the sake of the students, for their happiness and the cultivation of their humanity. In terms of structural reform that is finally on the table, in terms of someone who will do the “hand to hand combat” that Junior speaks of, alongside the teachers, it’s Bernie Sanders 2020

[@afternoondelight76]

4:41 "you never know, youd be amazed, right?" 3 years later the Cubs win the world series after over 100 years

[@LisaSimpsonRules]

I liked a lot what he said about anti-intellectualism.

[@nyanteea226]

Wow I can't believe these questions I mean they are coming from such a white welltodo reading of the book and what it meant to only 60% of the community. Like if you read this book and you're an immigrant, you're not walking away thinking "wow Dominicans are so layered and complex and have histories"

[@juanalarcon5320]

the interviewer a bit annoying but Junot is brilliant as expected

[@Hdianvciadpei]

On the “masculine privilege” part, he epitomizes a male feminist. So brave to call it out. And then BAM Metoo caught up to him. What a cool wannabe nerd.

[@Super-hc4fl]

I feel like Junot's talk about anti-intellectualism relates to how people see art.

[@hurgthegreat5162]

Love the book drown

My hero!

[@LisaSimpsonRules]

What he sees about contemplation is true, but to have short-term contract only emphasizes the problem more. People cannot organize their lives properly, so the last thing they care about is literature or academia. What they are going to do if the company does not call them at all this month while having a zero-hour contract is what worries them.

[@HutTwoHike]

At 7:10, a MacArthur Grant recipient just used "Irregardless." Ugh

[@conniewalker-carter5835]

Si!

[@danielleaurora9828]

Jersey in dah house

[@alexxjaleckksful]

Rly want to hear junot speak. One rule for ignorant interviewers: once junot makes you realize your ignorance don't keep defending it unless you want to look major-ig which is like sad ignorant hybrid.

[@mandomtz]

what a badass.

[@monblancnoland4666]

This was rough had to pause it a couple times lol

[@charlestaylor8624]

anyone read Rolvag's Giants of the Earth?

[@4highlife]

I Believe That You are Overall a Negative Person and You Take Away from the WHOLE CONCEPT of ART. You ARE FOCUSING ON THE WRONG FIELD..YOUR BEST BET WOULD BE GETTING INTO STATISTICS and RESEARCH..YOU CAN NEVER PUT A BAR METER ON ART..YOU WAY YOU BEGIN IS SO PURELY NEGATIVE and I CAN EVEN FEEL YOUR DOWN TRODDEN ENERGY FROM MY COMPUTER WINDOW. TAKE A CHILL PILL AND CHANGE FIELDS. DONT TAKE AWAY FROM ARTISTIC BLOSSOMERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH JUNOT DIAZ

[@kylemitchell432]

Yvette Marina Nario I am with you, this dude's fucking bullshit.

[@4highlife]

HAHA You Found Me and my Criticizing Mode w Constructive Criticism. THANKS FOR Vouching for This Theme I Voice for the People ;D I Appreciate it XOXO Kyle Mitchell

[@Fairycore101]

how old is junot diaz??

[@kimberlybethwatson4208]

my boy

[@gonzogil123]

42:30min It is bizarre how much he needs to invest himself in the fantasy of the slave master "The tone made me do it". Like he has to believe the slave master. It has to be the case that the slave master is, in fact, contributing to the minds of those he exploits. Notice that the slave master does find the products of the slave to be totally kosher. The wealth that comes from them can be consumed, appropriate as their own, and exchange. Totally embraced, and without an issue that it was stolen from those that "tone" in an inferior manner. It is not a possibility for him that he/she is lying: that they simply do not want to say "We do it just like a serial killer, because we are lazy, violent, want to appropriate your product, and cannot breathe on this earth w/o killing to rob. Why? I only know that I do not want to know hence the pretext if I do not have to know why would you. So, here take this it is of as much value as the wealth I have taken from you that has made me rich"

[@happylindsay4475]

Junot Dias- Toni Morrison is looking down and smiling on you...

[@gonzogil123]

45:47 How is it possible to recognize racism outside its different modes of exploitative violence?

[@TSquared2001]

I like Peter Sagal but he was a bit out of his element.

[@ForeverTJTigress]

Eeeeesshhh.... this interviewer

[@Chad-xs2de]

This is the second time I've seen Junot comment on Asian and white people dating. People date those where there is mutually attraction. That's not racism.

[@delirantecuadros]

Yeah Sophi, you right, but we can't ingnore "the pattern". the patterns is there, and it's for some reason, and the reaosn is that every one of us have this white supremacie internalized. (sorry for me horrible neglish) BR

[@chicanohek]

horrible interview. It appears that Junot was trying to expose the hosts ignorance but it went over his head

[@samsheable]

38:00

[@ngesookolo8282]

"Irregardless" Really???

[@samsheable]

33:00!!

[@gonzogil123]

47:10min How do you work in quotas for people´s sexual tastes? you see the limits of identity politics? it is almost like advocating rape, or, forced marriages. Let us say the standard of beauty is imposed by Capital as Media, and you can measure that the white ladies come out on top. And they do so, because people's unconscious are being targeted (example: Cambridge Analytica, and facebook´s apology in its experiments, etc) now you have to make a choice: Should I legislate people´s unconscious? even though they have no demand for analysis, or, psychologists? or do I replace the social relations of production so the means of communication are democratized, and people are free to desire whomever they find desirable.?

[@HutTwoHike]

He is complete disproof of his silly mantra about how America keeps immigration totally off the table. "The Myopic Life of Oscar Meh."

[@ShunyamNiketana]

43:40 "Ya all don't need white people for this to be a profoundly racist society." If we're going to be reductive, let's note that all of us are out of Africa and were all black back in the day (100,000 years ago). Nordic people didn't need pigmentation, because there wasn't much direct sunlight. Masculine culture everywhere grew out of the need for women to be home in the hut with the kids and men to hunt and fight with other tribes. The big wars reinforced these codes in the USA and other places. It's all changing right before our eyes, albeit too slowly for many. Junot confesses that he and his family were sexist and privileged and macho in the Dominican Republic, and then he blames white supremacy in New Jersey, his immigrant home. You want to see people do horrible things to each other on a tribal level (i.e. any level as we are all so tribal)? Study their history--everywhere.

[@Woke365]

The guy just being himself. Do you want everyone to be like you.

[@Super-hc4fl]

Benevolent racism described to a T @41:54

[@RichardCorral]

Junot strikes me as a weenie

[@l.w.paradis2108]

I can tell you read. 😂😂😂

[@Kafuinga]

decolonize this bussy daddy

[@carloscalderon8674]

es un jablador grande

[@galaxytrio]

I really liked him until he complains about "white supremacy".

[@l.w.paradis2108]

I'm fine with that. Have you read his books?

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

This guy is so entirely over rated. And then to find out he was accosting women and pressuring them into having sex with him. What a hypocrite.