Spring — 2009

Azita Jolaei

English Literature

“When you get here, take a class that you normally wouldn’t. I took a Biology class, and it was absolutely amazing! And pure fun as well.”

She’s a born storyteller, is Azita Jolaei. And she may, herself, be the best source material for some astonishing stories. “Yep. I’m half-Iranian and half-Mexican. And there’s gonna be a lot more Mexican/Iranians in LA soon enough!” she says with a laugh. But another storyline of Azita’s is the one she’s seen evolving at SMC. “My two years here have been great ones, and I’ll be transferring to Humboldt State University this Fall. SMC is so inexpensive, and the people here do everything they can to get you into a university. Here, you have time to get your college life together, so you understand what’s going to be expected of you in the future. It’s a great ‘jumping off point’ to bigger places in life.”

English Literature is Azita’s future, and she sees language as a literal treasure that needs appreciation. And protection. “Not enough people actually read that much anymore. And what I’d like to do is to keep the presence of poetry alive and well in our society. I think poetry has suffered more than any other great literary form, and that’s a shame, because it’s always been so important in telling the story of humanity.” Azita cites influences as widely diverse as Charles Bukowski, Sylvia Plath (“who speaks to a lot of women’s thoughts”), and Rudyard Kipling.

Azita says, “I know that getting involved with poetry isn’t exactly the easiest path, because the income is normally so unstable. So you have to teach for a few years before you get what you really want to do. But ultimately, I feel like I just have to follow what I love.”

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