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Nikki Giovanni - Short Bio and More and Story |
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Geoffrey Canada, Executive Director of Rheedlen Centers |
Each Speaker was precluded by a performance of the Kumba Kids, songs, and dance.
Speakers:
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October 10th - Umoja/Unity - Eric Copage, author Kwanzaa: An African-American Celebration of Culture and Cooking; Black Pearls |
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October 16th - Kujicagulia/Self-Determination - Alfred Powell, author of Message 'N A Bottle: The 40oz. Scandal |
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October 24th - Ujimma/Collective Work & Responsibility - Sharon Robinson, Author of Stealing Home: An Intimate Family Portrait by the Daughter of Jackie Robinson |
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October 30th - Ujamaa/Cooperation Economics - John Henrik Clark, Historian, Author - Malcolm X: The Man and His Times |
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November 7th - Nia/Purpose - Niki Gionvanni, poet / author - Ego Tripping, Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day |
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November 14th - Kumba/ Creativity - Robert Wallace, author - Black Wealth through Black Entrepreneurship |
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November 21st - Imani/Faith - Geoffrey Canada, author - Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America |
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Sharon Robinson - Daughter of Jackie Robinson |
John Henrik Clark, Historian, Author - Malcolm X: The Man and His Times |
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Nikki Giovanni - On Tupac, Dole, and
Outhouses
Nikki Giovanni roused a responsive audience with her poems and stories at The Countee Cullen Community Center November 6th.
She related that she missed the outhouses of her youth growling up in Tennessee. It was there that one would be left alone, where she could read in silence. She said she felt more privileged than the white folk in big houses, since their homes always seemed to be cold, with the occupants wearing coats. Her house was always kept warm, with her family wearing short sleeves and the like.
She admonished Presidential Candidate for drawing undue attention to his injured arm, wondering aloud that had it been an African American male that was injured, would the same considerations and resources have gone into saving the arm?
She stirred the listeners with several poems, including one about the recently slain Tupac. Only a few lines are included as we do not have permission to reprint her poem. Hopefully it will/ or has been published in its entirety soon
ALL EYEZ ON ME - Tupac Shakur, 1971-1996
ALL EYEZ ON ME
Tupac Shakur
1971-1996
As I tossed and turned not able to achieve sleep, not able to control anxiety, unable to comprehend why Tupac is not with us,
. . .
He deserved his life
. . .
But he will not go away
As Malcolm did not go away
As Emmit Till did not go away
You will surely not take him from us.
His spirit will fill our hearts
His courage will strengthen us for the challenge
His truth will straighten our backbone
. . .
They took away bands,
the boys started scratching
They took away gyms
they started break dancing
They started rapping and they gave them guns and drugs
But not schools and libraries
. . .
And we mourn Tupac
We reach out to his mother
And as We hug ourselves in . .
We are compelled to ask . . .
Tupac is gone. Are you?
