Issue No. 3, 2009-10. Editor’s Notes

In the many months it took to review submissions, work with writers, prepare pieces for layout and publish the third issue of West 10th, I often found myself wondering: What is our publication’s purpose (if it needs to have one at all)? What is it that we are trying to communicate when we assemble such a varied collection of poetry and prose?

The Brazilian educationalist Paulo Freire has meditated on a word as praxis. He believed that to combine a word’s two dimensions of reflection and action is to put ideas into practice—that to speak a true word is to transform the world. A discussion of what makes a “true word” might seem beyond the scope of this introduction, but surely Freire’s conception of transformation encapsulates what occurs in the following pages. These words are not spoken to be heard, but rather written to be read. They are incitements to consider. Just what to consider is left up to you, the reader, as you explore the worlds our writers have experienced, imagined and transformed with their words.

West 10th itself has transformed this year, moving beyond words to publish the work of more undergraduate photographers as well. The third issue provides new space for students and the arts that they pursue. Developing this issue gave our editors the opportunity to engage with a greater range of forms and content than ever before.

I would once again like to thank my accomplice and confidant, Managing Editor Miriam R. Haier, as well as the entire editorial staff for giving their time and care to this publication. I also want to thank Dean Matthew S. Santirocco, Deborah Landau, Scott Statland, Matthew Rohrer and Darin Strauss for making it all possible; Erin Schell for her help with design; Anne Carson for answering our questions; and Todd Hasak-Lowy for giving us his incredible story.

My hope is that West 10th will continue to grow and transform in the future, along with the many worlds, words, truths and imaginations of a student body brave enough to share their creations with all of their peers.

Sara Lynch

Masthead

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sara Lynch

MANAGING EDITOR

Miriam R. Haier

POETRY EDITORS

Liora Connor
Lucas Gerber
Mary Murphy
Phillip Polefrone
Marianne Reddan
Max Sebela
Soren Stockman

PROSE EDITORS

Kristin Ennis
Julie Moody
Samantha Neugebauer
Briana Severson
Wendy Xu
Anna Zucker

LAYOUT EDITOR

Sara Lynch