Faculty Profile: Jeff Mann
Jeff Mann Discusses the Ameliorative Powers of Art, by Laura
Dulaney
Jeff Mann, Associate Professor of English and teacher of poetry and fiction in the MFA program, believes fully in the power of art to heal and serve as a guide to society. A writer of both gay and Appalachian themed works, Jeff has seen this belief proved true time and again, both within his own life and the lives of others.
Jeff says that art can help people to realize that they are not alone, and therefore they may feel less isolated and more trusting, even self-accepting. Over the years he has received many thank you letters from his readers confirming this; “They thank me for being so open, for celebrating Appalachian identity and not rejecting it as many gay people have.” He acknowledges that the Appalachian culture and the gay culture appear to be mutually exclusive, but he notes that many people contain seemingly mutually exclusive identities, and that there can be a benefit to owning and balancing those identities. “If you can balance them, you’re going to have a really rich life, and if you can’t, it will tear you apart.” He claims this is true for everyone, and he feels that his own personal example of balance is one of his greatest contributions as a teacher. “I take the risk of being open about who I am because I want the students to see the many different ways that people can be, how complicated they can be. I want them to realize they can be anything they want to be, and they can own the different parts of their personality.”
I asked Jeff about the importance of having gay authors within the Tech community, and he replied that he thinks about the question often. “It’s not easy to be so open. I ask myself why I take the risk.” Jeff feels motivated to serve as a role model, providing LGBT students with a successful, productive gay role model, something he rarely had. He also acknowledged that it’s easier to be honest than to lie about who you are. Speaking of his role within the straight community, he said that he wants straight students to have the opportunity to get to know a gay man, because “prejudice of any kind is based on ignorance; we’re genetically predispositioned to fear the different. We have to fight against that. The more open gay people there are, the less we’ll be hated.”
When speaking about his own writing, Jeff said that he was inspired to write poetry seriously because of Sylvia Plath. “The confessional, or autobiographical poets, were honest about their darkest feelings, despair, rage, frustration, etc. But such poetry is not just therapy; it’s an artistic use of autobiography. You have to manipulate the words to create art.” Another artist who inspired him was Joni Mitchell. “She’s the perfect role model; she’s done what she pleased, and she’s changed when she felt like it. She has a courage that I’ve tried to emulate.” He observed that Mitchell was first and foremost true to her own interests when creating her music and never produced songs based on what might appeal to the masses. “It’s the same with gay, Appalachian literature. They may say there’s no audience for it, but there is.” He acknowledged that it might be a smaller audience, but that the audience would be extremely appreciative.
Jeff held an Instructor position at Tech from 1989 until 2003, when he was selected to teach in the MFA program, and he received tenure in June of 2007. When asked about teaching creative writing, Jeff replied that he loves encouraging new writers as well as introducing them to good authors. He added that teaching creative writing has forced his own growth in a positive way. “As an intuitive reader, I know when a piece works or doesn’t work, but as a teacher, I must articulate those reasons, and that’s been a good skill to develop.” When reflecting on his contributions within the MFA program, Jeff stated that he represents an alternative for writers to write about particular regional or subcultural experiences. Jeff is clearly thrilled at being both a teacher and a writer. With both professions, he is able to help support younger versions of himself, whether as writers, gay persons, or Appalachians. Reflecting further on his work, he added in an almost awe-struck tone, “It’s all about creation, about making contributions of art in a world that seems indifferent to it. What an honor.” What an honor indeed.