"I think one of the things that language poets are very involved with is getting away from conventional ideas of beauty, because those ideas contain a certain attitude toward women, certain attitudes toward sex, certain attitudes toward race, etc"

Diane Wakoski's quote explores the developing landscape of poetry as influenced by language poets, a group understood for their ingenious techniques to form and content. At the heart of Wakoski's reflection is a review of standard standards of beauty, which she suggests are deeply intertwined with societal attitudes toward gender, sexuality, race, and other cultural markers.

To unpack this, it is vital to comprehend the structure and intentions of language poets. Emerging mostly in the 1970s and 1980s, language poetry is identified by its focus on the reader's experience and the function of language in forming significance. The motion often highlights the materiality of language and difficulties standard narrative and lyrical types.

Wakoski recommends that these poets aim to dismantle prevailing notions of appeal. Traditional appeal, as she shows, is not merely aesthetic but loaded with social constructs and biases. Traditional ideas of charm have actually historically marginalized and muted voices that differ dominant viewpoints, often strengthening stereotypes and systemic inequalities. For example, social attitudes might idolize particular physical appearances, gender functions, or cultural expressions, therefore shaping how people and groups are viewed and valued.

By moving away from these conventions, language poets perhaps look for a more inclusive and egalitarian type of expression that enables a more comprehensive spectrum of experiences and identities. This shift assists in a deeper interrogation of how language can both show and perpetuate social norms. In rejecting standard appeal, they open areas for dialogues that include a multiplicity of voices, experiences, and truths, aiming to subvert dominant narratives and the structures that support them.

In summary, Wakoski highlights a considerable undertaking within language poetry: to redefine beauty by challenging the ingrained assumptions within conventional paradigms, therefore advocating for a more inclusive and liberated artistic expression that much better represents the multifaceted nature of human experience.