As Lauren Camp’s tenure as New Mexico’s Poet Laureate comes to an end, she looks back on how her diverse cultural background has shaped her work and contributions to the state’s literary community.
Camp, who has served in the position for three years, shared her insights in an interview with ARC El Paso’s Bella Dillman. She discussed how her Arab American heritage, especially her father’s roots in Baghdad, Iraq, has deeply influenced her poetry.
“I’m half Arab American on my father’s side,” Camp explained. “He was born and raised in Baghdad and moved to the U.S. as a teenager. That culture has been important to me in both my personal life and my creative work.”
She went on to address the complexities of intersectionality, especially in today’s world. “The idea of intersectionality is complicated, but it’s important for each of us to be proud of our heritage and share it,” Camp said.
As an Arab American woman, Camp has faced unique challenges that have shaped her voice as a poet. “I strive to be kind, considerate, and thoughtful, but I often wonder if that comes from being a woman, a poet, or something deeper,” she reflected. “Growing up, my father taught me to follow the rules—be quiet, don’t be loud. But I didn’t always follow those rules, especially when it came to poetry.”
During her time as Poet Laureate, Camp launched the New Mexico Epic Poem Project, which aimed to inspire young people to connect with poetry. The initiative provided prompts for children to explore their communities through writing, a project she hopes to continue even after her term ends.
“It’s important for kids to get involved in their communities and take pride in where they live,” she said. “What I’ve seen across the state is that each community has its own unique pride, and people just need a way to express it.”
Camp’s work has helped foster a deeper connection between young New Mexicans and their local cultures. Her legacy will continue to impact the literary community as she encourages others to share their stories and experiences through poetry.
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