Emanuel Xavier's Pier Queen

by phillip luis velez

Emanuel Xavier’s self-published book of poetry, Pier Queen (Pier Queen Productions), is a collection of experiences that reveal the author’s inner most thoughts and fears growing up on the streets of New York City. Raised in Bushwick Brooklyn and sent to live off the streets at 16 after coming out to his mother, Emanuel found a sense of family in the underground "houses" of the West Village. Vogueing, "walking" and pure attitude became part of his life. In Pier Queen, the 26-year-old Xavier is direct and candid about his experiences with sex, drugs, racism, prejudice, love and stereotypes. His raw words and realness may offend some readers, but Xavier has no apologies. "If I offend someone, its because something rang true," he said. "A true artist would spend less time on how people will react."

Xavier’s poetry is derived from surviving the pitfalls of the street and coming to understand who he is. "I needed to say a lot of things that I never really admitted to myself," says Xavier. Keith Haring’s work inspired the creative Ecuadorian-Nuyorican to put out art "for art’s sake." Emanuel started writing poetry more than a year ago, after an enlightening trip to South America. He poured his life into his words, doing so at just the right time, for the desperation of his life was taking a toll on him. Prior to his trip, he admitted that had been incredibly self-destructive. "I needed to explain to myself why I did the things I did," said Xavier.

Writing his book of poetry was like therapy for Xavier. "I wanted to break the traditional concept that being young, gay and Latino where three strikes against you," the poet said. "I think it’s important for people to hear. I know that there are a lot of people who have shared my experience." Xavier’s idea for his book came when he walked into a Different Light bookstore and found there were very few books written by gay Latinos. He began to write prose and enjoyed performance poetry. His urban eloquence and honesty is refreshing and his work is an innovative contribution to the world of poetry.

Xavier is a Nuyorican Poets Café grand slam winner whose work has appeared in Urban, the Latino Magazine. He has performed his poetry throughout the city and has received great responses. "When I walk off the stage, I get the greatest high," said Emanuel. He decided to self-publish his book because did not want anyone telling him what to write or how to write it. He also did not tell most of his family about his efforts, for fear of how they would respond. He did not want them to "cripple his creative choices."

Emanuel is very busy these days. His book is approaching its second printing and he is still performing at various venues around the city. He is currently working on his first novel. Emanuel feels that people put themselves in the spotlight for a reason, to share their lives in the hope that it will make a difference to someone. "I wanted to make a difference," he said. Keep you eyes open for Emanuel, a young Latino gay man who has made a difference and will continue to do so.

Pier Queen (Pier Queen Productions), 1997. by Emanuel Xavier. Available at a Different Light Bookstore, $6.99.

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Colores Vivos
Copyright 1998

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