Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Foreword to How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy (Nathan Hare)
He’s the new Malcolm X! Nobody’s going to talk about his book, HOW TO RECOVER FROM THE ADDICTION TO WHITE SUPREMACY, out loud, but they’ll hush hush about it.—Jerri Lange, author, Jerri, A Black Woman’s Life in the Media
Beyond Religion, Toward Spirituality, essays on consciousness
He is a Master Teacher in many fields of thought—religion and psychology, Sociology and anthropology, history and politics, literature and the humanities.
He is a needed Counselor, for he knows himself, on the deepest of personal levels and he reveals that self to us, that we might be his beneficiaries…. If you want to reshape (clean up, raise) your consciousness, this is a book to savor, to read again and again—to pass onto a friend or lover.
—Rudolph Lewis, Editor, ChickenBones: A Journal
Wish I Could Tell You The Truth, essays
….Malcolm X ain’t got nothing on Marvin X. Still Marvin has been ignored and silenced like Malcolm would be ignored and silenced if he had lived on into the Now.
Marvin’s one of the most extraordinary, exciting black intellectuals living today—writing, publishing, performing with Sun Ra’s Musicians (Live in Philly at Warm Daddies, available on DVD from BPP), reciting, filming, producing conferences (Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness, San Francisco Black Radical Book Fair); he’s ever engaging, challenging the respectable and the comfortable. He like Malcolm, dares to say things fearlessly, in the open (in earshot of the white man) that so many Negroes feel, think and speak on the corner, in the barbershops and urban streets of black America….
—Rudolph Lewis, Editor, ChickenBones: A Journal
In The Crazy House Called America, essays
…People who know Marvin X already know him as a peripatetic, outspoken, irreverent, poetic “crazy nigger,” whose pen is continually and forever out-of-control. As a professional psychologist, I hasten to invoke the disclaimer that that is in no way a diagnosis or clinical impression of mine. I have never actually subjected this brother to serious psychoanalytical scrutiny and have no wish to place him on the couch, if only because I know of no existing psycho-diagnostic instrumentality of pathology of normalcy that could properly evaluate Marvin completely.
—Dr. Nathan Hare, Black Think Tank, San Francisco
Land of My Daughters, poems
Marvin X has been a witness to history. He shows that an excellent minority writer can raise issues that the mainstream publishers and book reviewers find hard to grapple with…. He, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver and others were also casualties of the chemical attack on African Americans in the form of Crack and alcohol waged by corporations and a government that placed questionable foreign policy goals above the health of its citizens…. Many of those who inspired the cultural revolution of the 1960s remain stuck there. This volume shows that Marvin X has moved on.
—Ishmael Reed, novelist, poet, essayist, publisher, Oakland
Iraq…how did we get there and how do we get back? The consciousness-altering book of poems that tells the tale, in no uncertain terms and yet always via poetry, is the astonishing Land of My Daughters: Poems 1995-2005 by Marvin X. Marvin X is the USA’s Rumi, and his nation is not “where our fathers died” but where our daughters live. The death of patriarchal war culture is his everyday reality. X’s poems vibrate, whip, love in the most meta- and physical ways imaginable and un-. He’s got the humor of Pietri, the politics of Baraka, and the spiritual Muslim grounding that is totally new in English—the ecstasy of Hafiz, the wisdom of Saadi. It’s not unusual for him to have a sequence of shortish lines followed by a culminating line that stretches a quarter page—it is the dance of the dervishes, the rhythms of a Qasida.
—Bob Holman, Bowery Poetry Club, New York City
He’s the new Malcolm X! Nobody’s going to talk about his book, HOW TO RECOVER FROM THE ADDICTION TO WHITE SUPREMACY, out loud, but they’ll hush hush about it.—Jerri Lange, author, Jerri, A Black Woman’s Life in the Media
Beyond Religion, Toward Spirituality, essays on consciousness
He is a Master Teacher in many fields of thought—religion and psychology, Sociology and anthropology, history and politics, literature and the humanities.
He is a needed Counselor, for he knows himself, on the deepest of personal levels and he reveals that self to us, that we might be his beneficiaries…. If you want to reshape (clean up, raise) your consciousness, this is a book to savor, to read again and again—to pass onto a friend or lover.
—Rudolph Lewis, Editor, ChickenBones: A Journal
Wish I Could Tell You The Truth, essays
….Malcolm X ain’t got nothing on Marvin X. Still Marvin has been ignored and silenced like Malcolm would be ignored and silenced if he had lived on into the Now.
Marvin’s one of the most extraordinary, exciting black intellectuals living today—writing, publishing, performing with Sun Ra’s Musicians (Live in Philly at Warm Daddies, available on DVD from BPP), reciting, filming, producing conferences (Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness, San Francisco Black Radical Book Fair); he’s ever engaging, challenging the respectable and the comfortable. He like Malcolm, dares to say things fearlessly, in the open (in earshot of the white man) that so many Negroes feel, think and speak on the corner, in the barbershops and urban streets of black America….
—Rudolph Lewis, Editor, ChickenBones: A Journal
In The Crazy House Called America, essays
…People who know Marvin X already know him as a peripatetic, outspoken, irreverent, poetic “crazy nigger,” whose pen is continually and forever out-of-control. As a professional psychologist, I hasten to invoke the disclaimer that that is in no way a diagnosis or clinical impression of mine. I have never actually subjected this brother to serious psychoanalytical scrutiny and have no wish to place him on the couch, if only because I know of no existing psycho-diagnostic instrumentality of pathology of normalcy that could properly evaluate Marvin completely.
—Dr. Nathan Hare, Black Think Tank, San Francisco
Land of My Daughters, poems
Marvin X has been a witness to history. He shows that an excellent minority writer can raise issues that the mainstream publishers and book reviewers find hard to grapple with…. He, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver and others were also casualties of the chemical attack on African Americans in the form of Crack and alcohol waged by corporations and a government that placed questionable foreign policy goals above the health of its citizens…. Many of those who inspired the cultural revolution of the 1960s remain stuck there. This volume shows that Marvin X has moved on.
—Ishmael Reed, novelist, poet, essayist, publisher, Oakland
Iraq…how did we get there and how do we get back? The consciousness-altering book of poems that tells the tale, in no uncertain terms and yet always via poetry, is the astonishing Land of My Daughters: Poems 1995-2005 by Marvin X. Marvin X is the USA’s Rumi, and his nation is not “where our fathers died” but where our daughters live. The death of patriarchal war culture is his everyday reality. X’s poems vibrate, whip, love in the most meta- and physical ways imaginable and un-. He’s got the humor of Pietri, the politics of Baraka, and the spiritual Muslim grounding that is totally new in English—the ecstasy of Hafiz, the wisdom of Saadi. It’s not unusual for him to have a sequence of shortish lines followed by a culminating line that stretches a quarter page—it is the dance of the dervishes, the rhythms of a Qasida.
—Bob Holman, Bowery Poetry Club, New York City
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Mamadou Lumumba Memorial Service
Mamadou Lumumba (Kenneth Freeman) Memorial
Mamadou Lumumba (Kenneth Freeman) was one of the premier neo-black intellectuals of the 1960s. He was the first black student to attend Bishop O Dowd high school. He graduated from University of San Francisco in 1960, with graduate studies at the University of Mexico. In Mexico he learned of the Cuban revolution and this expanded his radical conscious and social activism. When he returned to Oakland, he joined the group of young radicals at Merritt College, including Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Ernie Allen, Isaac Moore, Ann Williams, Marvin X and Carol Freeman, his wife. Mamadou became a member of Donald Warden's Afro American Association, a Black Nationalist organization. The AAA and the young radicals studied world revolution, including events in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and the Congo where the first elected prime minister was assassinated. Apparently his similarity to Congolese Patrice Lumumba, made him adopt the name. Mamadou became editor of Soulbook magazine, one of the most radical publications of the 60s, a publication of RAM or the Revolutionary Action Movement. He also organized the first Black Panther Party in the Bay.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2pm, at the Noodle Factory, 1255 26th Street at Union, Oakland. Call 510-355-6339 for more information
Mamadou Lumumba (Kenneth Freeman) was one of the premier neo-black intellectuals of the 1960s. He was the first black student to attend Bishop O Dowd high school. He graduated from University of San Francisco in 1960, with graduate studies at the University of Mexico. In Mexico he learned of the Cuban revolution and this expanded his radical conscious and social activism. When he returned to Oakland, he joined the group of young radicals at Merritt College, including Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Ernie Allen, Isaac Moore, Ann Williams, Marvin X and Carol Freeman, his wife. Mamadou became a member of Donald Warden's Afro American Association, a Black Nationalist organization. The AAA and the young radicals studied world revolution, including events in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and the Congo where the first elected prime minister was assassinated. Apparently his similarity to Congolese Patrice Lumumba, made him adopt the name. Mamadou became editor of Soulbook magazine, one of the most radical publications of the 60s, a publication of RAM or the Revolutionary Action Movement. He also organized the first Black Panther Party in the Bay.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2pm, at the Noodle Factory, 1255 26th Street at Union, Oakland. Call 510-355-6339 for more information
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Excuse me, Mr. President
Excuse me, Mr. President; the war in Afghanistan is not in the interests of the USA
There is nothing in Afghanistan that is vital to American interests unless those interests are heroin and oil pipelines around the Caspian Sea to escape Russian hegemony. Originally, the war in Afghanistan was to deny Al Quida a foothold and punish them for 9/11. The USA global bandits supplied and supported the Taliban as they ran the Russians out, but now they are fighting the Taliban to again deny Al Quida, although there is no Al Quida in Afghanistan. Thus, there is no need to have a surge of troops in Afghanistan. It is good for the militarist US economy, for the generals who run the corporations, the university/corporate e complex that benefits with contracts and related research.
The war in Iraq was a total failure simply because it was unnecessary to kill a million people over the lie that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. But again, Iraq was for oil and to check Shia expansion for the reactionary Sunni regimes throughout the Middle East, namely Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Persian Gulf states--and of course to protect Israel.
Of course Obama is a politician looked toward the next elections so he must mollify the right wing militarists. He told you he would expand the war into Pakistan during his election campaign. At least he is true to his word. And so for political expediency he will expand the war in Afghanistan, then try to deescalate near election time.
He is not thinking of the American's who shall die and those sure to come home traumatized, suicidal and homicidal. He is allocating billions to buy off the Taliban's acts of violence, but here at home he does nothing to "buy off" those brothers and sisters terrorizing the hood with internecine violence, depriving the hood of any social security. How can the US pay the insurgents to stop violence yet allow brothers in the hood to wreak havoc throughout America with guns and drugs? Internal violence is the real threat to America’s interests and security. This is why the poet Amiri Baraka warns us, "In the end the Negro will be the terrorist." The violence in the hood would surely one day cross over to the white community. We see black men redirecting their guns against the police in Oakland and Washington State. If this trend continues, get ready for an escalation in the police/military occupation of the hood. As the depression continues and creates more joblessness, expect the prison population to increase leading to a further destabilization of the hood. As Dr. Cornel West says, we must protect and respect the President but we must also correct the President when he goes down the path of reaction by enacting policies against our national interests as North American Africans.
Meanwhile, North American Africans may be oblivious to the radicalization of Latin America, but how long can we maintain our reactionary support of the US when our friends, brothers and sisters throughout the Americas are charting their own agenda and it does not include the globalist free trade policies of the US and her allies. Where is the North American African leadership that is putting our agenda in harmony with the people of Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile and Venezuela? Shall North American Africans continue their addiction to white supremacy domination and exploitation? Or shall we unite with our brothers and sisters throughout the Americas and work toward an agenda in harmony with our national and regional interests?
Further, the so-called attempt to nation build in Afghanistan is legalizing the warlords to continue their traditional tribalism, not unify as a national state. The Pashtun, Tajik, Usbek and others have tribal interests rather than national interests. The loya jurga or meeting of the tribal elders would be the way to resolve matters among the people of Afghanistan, not by a military surge that will include more killing and destruction rather than reconstruction. If there is no Al Quida in Afghanistan, we need to get out now, but it shall not happen because white supremacy must prove its point, no matter that no armies have conquered this land, not the armies of Alexander the Great, the British, nor Russians. Obama now has his opportunity to defy history.
Politics, money, oil, dope. And India is the other key player in this madness. India is playing on Kabul to counter the Pakistan support of Taliban. As reactionary as the Taliban are, they stopped the poppies growing. Enter the US and the poppy fields are blooming with a resultant opium addiction of the country. Whole villages and entire families are addicted, even babies are given opium for any ailment, even as a substitute for food. It is worse than the US supplied Crack addiction of North American Africans.
The saddest part of Obama's speech to West Point was his falsification of American history, claiming America as the good guys in the white hats who've never unjustly occupied people's land around the world. Let us hear from the Native Americans on this point. Let us recount the US support of reactionary regimes around the world, and do not fail to count the number of US military bases around the world to suppress and oppress people in order to steal their labor and resources. We suggest Obama read Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States. President Obama is sounding as right wing as his predecessors in the White House, from the beginning to now, all of them promoted white supremacy at home and abroad.
There is nothing in Afghanistan that is vital to American interests unless those interests are heroin and oil pipelines around the Caspian Sea to escape Russian hegemony. Originally, the war in Afghanistan was to deny Al Quida a foothold and punish them for 9/11. The USA global bandits supplied and supported the Taliban as they ran the Russians out, but now they are fighting the Taliban to again deny Al Quida, although there is no Al Quida in Afghanistan. Thus, there is no need to have a surge of troops in Afghanistan. It is good for the militarist US economy, for the generals who run the corporations, the university/corporate e complex that benefits with contracts and related research.
The war in Iraq was a total failure simply because it was unnecessary to kill a million people over the lie that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. But again, Iraq was for oil and to check Shia expansion for the reactionary Sunni regimes throughout the Middle East, namely Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Persian Gulf states--and of course to protect Israel.
Of course Obama is a politician looked toward the next elections so he must mollify the right wing militarists. He told you he would expand the war into Pakistan during his election campaign. At least he is true to his word. And so for political expediency he will expand the war in Afghanistan, then try to deescalate near election time.
He is not thinking of the American's who shall die and those sure to come home traumatized, suicidal and homicidal. He is allocating billions to buy off the Taliban's acts of violence, but here at home he does nothing to "buy off" those brothers and sisters terrorizing the hood with internecine violence, depriving the hood of any social security. How can the US pay the insurgents to stop violence yet allow brothers in the hood to wreak havoc throughout America with guns and drugs? Internal violence is the real threat to America’s interests and security. This is why the poet Amiri Baraka warns us, "In the end the Negro will be the terrorist." The violence in the hood would surely one day cross over to the white community. We see black men redirecting their guns against the police in Oakland and Washington State. If this trend continues, get ready for an escalation in the police/military occupation of the hood. As the depression continues and creates more joblessness, expect the prison population to increase leading to a further destabilization of the hood. As Dr. Cornel West says, we must protect and respect the President but we must also correct the President when he goes down the path of reaction by enacting policies against our national interests as North American Africans.
Meanwhile, North American Africans may be oblivious to the radicalization of Latin America, but how long can we maintain our reactionary support of the US when our friends, brothers and sisters throughout the Americas are charting their own agenda and it does not include the globalist free trade policies of the US and her allies. Where is the North American African leadership that is putting our agenda in harmony with the people of Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile and Venezuela? Shall North American Africans continue their addiction to white supremacy domination and exploitation? Or shall we unite with our brothers and sisters throughout the Americas and work toward an agenda in harmony with our national and regional interests?
Further, the so-called attempt to nation build in Afghanistan is legalizing the warlords to continue their traditional tribalism, not unify as a national state. The Pashtun, Tajik, Usbek and others have tribal interests rather than national interests. The loya jurga or meeting of the tribal elders would be the way to resolve matters among the people of Afghanistan, not by a military surge that will include more killing and destruction rather than reconstruction. If there is no Al Quida in Afghanistan, we need to get out now, but it shall not happen because white supremacy must prove its point, no matter that no armies have conquered this land, not the armies of Alexander the Great, the British, nor Russians. Obama now has his opportunity to defy history.
Politics, money, oil, dope. And India is the other key player in this madness. India is playing on Kabul to counter the Pakistan support of Taliban. As reactionary as the Taliban are, they stopped the poppies growing. Enter the US and the poppy fields are blooming with a resultant opium addiction of the country. Whole villages and entire families are addicted, even babies are given opium for any ailment, even as a substitute for food. It is worse than the US supplied Crack addiction of North American Africans.
The saddest part of Obama's speech to West Point was his falsification of American history, claiming America as the good guys in the white hats who've never unjustly occupied people's land around the world. Let us hear from the Native Americans on this point. Let us recount the US support of reactionary regimes around the world, and do not fail to count the number of US military bases around the world to suppress and oppress people in order to steal their labor and resources. We suggest Obama read Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States. President Obama is sounding as right wing as his predecessors in the White House, from the beginning to now, all of them promoted white supremacy at home and abroad.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Kamau
Kamau
Quiet warrior
drummer supreme
father
husband
lover
we feel the drum silence
the moon is full yet empty this night
the Bay fog vanished
only for a beat in memory
it lingers forever.
a libation tonight
for a true trooper
a drum beat for culture
africanness beyond madness
a different drummer
sounds of freedom
round the world
hear the beat the rhythm of a new world
babylon trembles at the sound
gates of Jerico crumble
drum beats
stunted men fly in fear
the war drum in their ears
they are deaf from sound
give the drummer some.
Peace soldier!
--Marvin X
Quiet warrior
drummer supreme
father
husband
lover
we feel the drum silence
the moon is full yet empty this night
the Bay fog vanished
only for a beat in memory
it lingers forever.
a libation tonight
for a true trooper
a drum beat for culture
africanness beyond madness
a different drummer
sounds of freedom
round the world
hear the beat the rhythm of a new world
babylon trembles at the sound
gates of Jerico crumble
drum beats
stunted men fly in fear
the war drum in their ears
they are deaf from sound
give the drummer some.
Peace soldier!
--Marvin X
Spiritual Growth to Womanhood
Spiritual Growth to Womanhood
A Manual based on Proverbs 16
by
Nefertiti Jackmon
70 pages, $15.00
Black Bird Press
1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley CA 94702
Publication date: December, 2009
Spiritual Growth to Womanhood is a how-to manual for the spiritual woman of any faith, but the text is an exegesis of Proverbs 16, a chapter deconstructing the perfect woman who walks on solid ground, confident and sure of herself, determined to succeed in spite of all odds, to take care of herself first, though she is not selfish, rather selfless and unconditional in her love of family and community. She is an entrepreneur, a hustler for the good of herself and family. Nefertiti takes us on a whirlwind journey with incidents from her own life to illustrate her points. The style is clean, smooth and uplifting, always on the positive in presenting solutions to problems faced by today's woman. But Proverb 16 offers a clear path to success if women take heed of ancestral wisdom.
The manual grew out of Nefertiti's desire for mentorship. Since it was difficult to find a mentor, God told her the answer was in Proverbs. And so it is.
This book is recommended for young and mature women who might also be in need of spiritual mentorship , although such mentorship is based on practical steps that include thinking critically, self esteem, independence and interdependence. She negates poverty consciousness in favor of prosperity consciousness, prayer but work, not passivity.
While her target is women, there is much wisdom in this manual that men might find insightful, for it describes the woman every successful man would want at his side. The book includes a blank page after each section for notes.
Nefertiti Jackmon received her B.A. in English from Fresno State University, M.A. in Africana Studies from New York University, Albany. Her spiritual work included administering a mega-church in Houston, Texas.
She is available for readings and workshops, especially with women seeking spiritual growth.
A Manual based on Proverbs 16
by
Nefertiti Jackmon
70 pages, $15.00
Black Bird Press
1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley CA 94702
Publication date: December, 2009
Spiritual Growth to Womanhood is a how-to manual for the spiritual woman of any faith, but the text is an exegesis of Proverbs 16, a chapter deconstructing the perfect woman who walks on solid ground, confident and sure of herself, determined to succeed in spite of all odds, to take care of herself first, though she is not selfish, rather selfless and unconditional in her love of family and community. She is an entrepreneur, a hustler for the good of herself and family. Nefertiti takes us on a whirlwind journey with incidents from her own life to illustrate her points. The style is clean, smooth and uplifting, always on the positive in presenting solutions to problems faced by today's woman. But Proverb 16 offers a clear path to success if women take heed of ancestral wisdom.
The manual grew out of Nefertiti's desire for mentorship. Since it was difficult to find a mentor, God told her the answer was in Proverbs. And so it is.
This book is recommended for young and mature women who might also be in need of spiritual mentorship , although such mentorship is based on practical steps that include thinking critically, self esteem, independence and interdependence. She negates poverty consciousness in favor of prosperity consciousness, prayer but work, not passivity.
While her target is women, there is much wisdom in this manual that men might find insightful, for it describes the woman every successful man would want at his side. The book includes a blank page after each section for notes.
Nefertiti Jackmon received her B.A. in English from Fresno State University, M.A. in Africana Studies from New York University, Albany. Her spiritual work included administering a mega-church in Houston, Texas.
She is available for readings and workshops, especially with women seeking spiritual growth.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Invite Marvin X to Speak
One of the founders of the Black Arts Movement,
father of Muslim American literature, Dr. Mohja Kahf
the USA's Rumi, Bob Holman
undisputed king of black consciousness, Dr. Nathan Hare
Received writing awards from Columbia University,
National Endowments for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities
Marvin X (Marvin E Jackmon) [El Muhajir]
Contact: Marvin X, 510-355-6339, jmarvinx @yahoo.com
Marvin X (Marvin E Jackmon) [El Muhajir]. Somethin' Proper: The Life and Times of a North American African Poet, Berkeley, CA: Black Bird P 1998 278 pp $29.95.
Marvin X's autobiography Somethin' Proper is one of the significant works to come out of the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. It sums up the story of perhaps the most important African American Muslim bard to appear in the United States during the Civil Rights era. It opens with an introduction by scholar Dr. Nathan Hare, an iconic figure in the founding of Black Studies.
Marvin X then takes center stage with an exploration of his life, juxtaposed with the rapidly changing movements of contemporary history: Civil Rights, the Black Arts Movement, Black Power and especially Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam.
Marvin X was born Marvin E Jackmon in Fowler California, May 29, 1944, and grew up in West Fresno and West Oakland, California. His early education was in these cities, and he later attended Oakland City College (Merritt) and San Francisco State University, where he was awarded a B.A. and an M.A. in English. He emerged as an important poetic voice among California black bards in the early 1960s, and wrote for several of the major Black Arts Movement journals of the period, including the Journal of Black Poetry, Soulbook, Black Dialogue, Black Theatre magazine, Black Scholar, Black World, and Muhammad Speaks. He was also a founding BAM playwright, working with Ed Bullins in Black Arts West Theatre in San Francisco, the Black House, also in San Francisco, with Bullins, Eldridge Cleaver, and Ethna Wyatt. 1968 he worked underground in Harlem, at the New Lafayette Theatre. He was historian and associate editor of Black Theatre Magazine, a publication of
the New Lafayette.
During the last forty years, Marvin X has taught Black Studies, literature, journalism, radio and television writing, technical writing, creative writing, drama, and English at Fresno State University, the University of California, Berkeley and San Diego, the University of Nevada, Reno, San Francisco State University, Mills, Merritt and Laney colleges in Oakland, California.
He recently did a national tour of his latest treatise Mythology of Pussy, a monograph black mothers and fathers are getting for their sons and daughters, despite the petit black bourgeoisie detractors.
Recent books include a memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My friend the Devil, Black Bird Press, 2009, How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, BBP, 2007, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality, BBP, 2006, Land of My Daughters, poems, 2005, Wish I could tell you the truth, BBP, 2005. His next book is The Wisdom of Plato Negro: A Hustler's Guide to the game called life, BBP, 2010.
Black Bird Press
1222 Dwight Way
Berkeley CA 94702
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
father of Muslim American literature, Dr. Mohja Kahf
the USA's Rumi, Bob Holman
undisputed king of black consciousness, Dr. Nathan Hare
Received writing awards from Columbia University,
National Endowments for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities
Marvin X (Marvin E Jackmon) [El Muhajir]
Contact: Marvin X, 510-355-6339, jmarvinx @yahoo.com
Marvin X (Marvin E Jackmon) [El Muhajir]. Somethin' Proper: The Life and Times of a North American African Poet, Berkeley, CA: Black Bird P 1998 278 pp $29.95.
Marvin X's autobiography Somethin' Proper is one of the significant works to come out of the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. It sums up the story of perhaps the most important African American Muslim bard to appear in the United States during the Civil Rights era. It opens with an introduction by scholar Dr. Nathan Hare, an iconic figure in the founding of Black Studies.
Marvin X then takes center stage with an exploration of his life, juxtaposed with the rapidly changing movements of contemporary history: Civil Rights, the Black Arts Movement, Black Power and especially Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam.
Marvin X was born Marvin E Jackmon in Fowler California, May 29, 1944, and grew up in West Fresno and West Oakland, California. His early education was in these cities, and he later attended Oakland City College (Merritt) and San Francisco State University, where he was awarded a B.A. and an M.A. in English. He emerged as an important poetic voice among California black bards in the early 1960s, and wrote for several of the major Black Arts Movement journals of the period, including the Journal of Black Poetry, Soulbook, Black Dialogue, Black Theatre magazine, Black Scholar, Black World, and Muhammad Speaks. He was also a founding BAM playwright, working with Ed Bullins in Black Arts West Theatre in San Francisco, the Black House, also in San Francisco, with Bullins, Eldridge Cleaver, and Ethna Wyatt. 1968 he worked underground in Harlem, at the New Lafayette Theatre. He was historian and associate editor of Black Theatre Magazine, a publication of
the New Lafayette.
During the last forty years, Marvin X has taught Black Studies, literature, journalism, radio and television writing, technical writing, creative writing, drama, and English at Fresno State University, the University of California, Berkeley and San Diego, the University of Nevada, Reno, San Francisco State University, Mills, Merritt and Laney colleges in Oakland, California.
He recently did a national tour of his latest treatise Mythology of Pussy, a monograph black mothers and fathers are getting for their sons and daughters, despite the petit black bourgeoisie detractors.
Recent books include a memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My friend the Devil, Black Bird Press, 2009, How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, BBP, 2007, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality, BBP, 2006, Land of My Daughters, poems, 2005, Wish I could tell you the truth, BBP, 2005. His next book is The Wisdom of Plato Negro: A Hustler's Guide to the game called life, BBP, 2010.
Black Bird Press
1222 Dwight Way
Berkeley CA 94702
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
My friend the devil
Thanks to all of you who participated in the reading last night. It was a spiritual happening that makes me want to start a church. As Raja noted, we had all the elements: spoken word, music, dance and visual art. Of course this is known as theatre.
What makes me think of church is the healing aspect of what we did, even the welcome from Charlie Walker, a very subdued Charlie Walker since losing his grandson to police violence a few days ago.
And of course Suzzette Celeste followed his message with words of healing and inspiration. And then she read the Preface from My friend the devil.
Geoffrey Grier followed with Amiri Baraka's Introduction and later Geoffrey read the words of Huey Newton. Eugene Allen was outstanding reading the words of Eldridge Cleaver. Ayodele read chapter one, but she was a little under the weather with a tooth ache. We hope you are better today, Ayo.
Everybody was a little long winded, especially yours truly when I decided to just tell the story of Eldridge. Of course the highlight for me was reading the poem Soul Gone Home, accompanied by Rashidah on guitar and the angelic dancers, Raynetta Rayzetta and Linda Johnson who praise danced as Rashidah sang an original song Who Will Remember Me? Raynetta's movement with wings actually took us to heaven and Linda
co-signed with her gracious movement. So we had gods, devils and angels. This is why I say maybe we need a church--we seem to have all the elements.
Let me not forget the evening began with the trumpet of Earl Davis, an original member of Black Arts West Theatre on Fillmore Street, 1966.
It ended with Ptah Allah El's poem Can You Spare Some Change? I joined him with my poem Can You Change. Elena said we should take the show on the road. We'll see. We thank all of you who participated and we thank Eastside Arts for hosting the event.
What makes me think of church is the healing aspect of what we did, even the welcome from Charlie Walker, a very subdued Charlie Walker since losing his grandson to police violence a few days ago.
And of course Suzzette Celeste followed his message with words of healing and inspiration. And then she read the Preface from My friend the devil.
Geoffrey Grier followed with Amiri Baraka's Introduction and later Geoffrey read the words of Huey Newton. Eugene Allen was outstanding reading the words of Eldridge Cleaver. Ayodele read chapter one, but she was a little under the weather with a tooth ache. We hope you are better today, Ayo.
Everybody was a little long winded, especially yours truly when I decided to just tell the story of Eldridge. Of course the highlight for me was reading the poem Soul Gone Home, accompanied by Rashidah on guitar and the angelic dancers, Raynetta Rayzetta and Linda Johnson who praise danced as Rashidah sang an original song Who Will Remember Me? Raynetta's movement with wings actually took us to heaven and Linda
co-signed with her gracious movement. So we had gods, devils and angels. This is why I say maybe we need a church--we seem to have all the elements.
Let me not forget the evening began with the trumpet of Earl Davis, an original member of Black Arts West Theatre on Fillmore Street, 1966.
It ended with Ptah Allah El's poem Can You Spare Some Change? I joined him with my poem Can You Change. Elena said we should take the show on the road. We'll see. We thank all of you who participated and we thank Eastside Arts for hosting the event.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Cornel West As Angry Black Man
Cornel West As Angry Black Man
"Heaven is at the feet of your mother."
--prophet Muhammad
Cornel West discussed his latest book Living and Loving Outloud, a memoir, before an overflow audience at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square this evening. Looking a little tattered and tired from 13 Bay Area book signings today, West recounted his childhood in Sacramento and the Bay Area. Oakland was where he last saw his father who passed away 15 years ago. In the audience was his mother, brother Cliff and first cousin Fuad Satterfield. West praised his mother and father, claiming all that he is comes from their love and nurturing. He chided those who think they are self made. No one is self made, he said. We all come from the roots of those who came before us and paved the way. He said Malcolm X was shown love by Elijah Muhammad and that love gave Malcolm the power to become the great man we know.
At one point, West went over to his mothing seated on the front row and kissed her. She took a napkin and wiped his sweat dripping forehead. He told how the community nutured him into the genius he is today, although noting he refused to salute the flag in the third grade because a relative was hanged in the south and wraped in the American flag. He was put out of school but when tested his IQ was 160, so he left the Chocolate school for a Vanilla education.
In college he met St. Clair Drake, Martin Kilson and other intellectuals who saw his potential and mentored him.
Today he claims to be an angry black man, as angry as he was in the third grade when he refused to salute the flag, for he is determined to fight for social justice. But we wonder how angry can a man be who is a tenured professor at Princeton University, on the lecture circuit at $20,000 per speech, and with a plethora of published books on the bestseller list.
Maybe we can understand his anger by recalling the words of the great scholar/activist W.E.B. DuBois when he stood before a million people in China's Tennimin Square being introduced by Chairman Mao. After Mao praise DuBois for all his accomplishments, DuBois, with tears in his eyes, said, "Thank you, Chairman Mao, but in my country I am just a nigger."
--Marvin X
On Sat., Nov 21, 8pm, Marvin X will read from his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My friend the devil, a metaphor for all people who may have demons in their midst. The reading will be at Eastside Culture Center,
2277 International Blvd. Donation requested $10.00, but no one turned away. Call 510-355-6339 for more information.
Readers include Ayodele Nzhingha, Suzzette Celeste, James W. Sweeney,
Geoffrey Grier, Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allah, Charlie Walker
Music by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance by Linda Johnson and Raynetta Rayzetta
"Heaven is at the feet of your mother."
--prophet Muhammad
Cornel West discussed his latest book Living and Loving Outloud, a memoir, before an overflow audience at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square this evening. Looking a little tattered and tired from 13 Bay Area book signings today, West recounted his childhood in Sacramento and the Bay Area. Oakland was where he last saw his father who passed away 15 years ago. In the audience was his mother, brother Cliff and first cousin Fuad Satterfield. West praised his mother and father, claiming all that he is comes from their love and nurturing. He chided those who think they are self made. No one is self made, he said. We all come from the roots of those who came before us and paved the way. He said Malcolm X was shown love by Elijah Muhammad and that love gave Malcolm the power to become the great man we know.
At one point, West went over to his mothing seated on the front row and kissed her. She took a napkin and wiped his sweat dripping forehead. He told how the community nutured him into the genius he is today, although noting he refused to salute the flag in the third grade because a relative was hanged in the south and wraped in the American flag. He was put out of school but when tested his IQ was 160, so he left the Chocolate school for a Vanilla education.
In college he met St. Clair Drake, Martin Kilson and other intellectuals who saw his potential and mentored him.
Today he claims to be an angry black man, as angry as he was in the third grade when he refused to salute the flag, for he is determined to fight for social justice. But we wonder how angry can a man be who is a tenured professor at Princeton University, on the lecture circuit at $20,000 per speech, and with a plethora of published books on the bestseller list.
Maybe we can understand his anger by recalling the words of the great scholar/activist W.E.B. DuBois when he stood before a million people in China's Tennimin Square being introduced by Chairman Mao. After Mao praise DuBois for all his accomplishments, DuBois, with tears in his eyes, said, "Thank you, Chairman Mao, but in my country I am just a nigger."
--Marvin X
On Sat., Nov 21, 8pm, Marvin X will read from his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My friend the devil, a metaphor for all people who may have demons in their midst. The reading will be at Eastside Culture Center,
2277 International Blvd. Donation requested $10.00, but no one turned away. Call 510-355-6339 for more information.
Readers include Ayodele Nzhingha, Suzzette Celeste, James W. Sweeney,
Geoffrey Grier, Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allah, Charlie Walker
Music by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance by Linda Johnson and Raynetta Rayzetta
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Somali Woman Stoned to Death for Adultery
Somali woman stoned for adultery
A 20-year-old woman divorcee accused of committing adultery in Somalia has been stoned to death by Islamists in front of a crowd of about 200 people. A judge working for the militant group al-Shabab said she had had an affair with an unmarried 29-year-old man. He said she gave birth to a still-born baby and was found guilty of adultery. Her boyfriend was given 100 lashes. It is thought to be the second time a woman has been stoned to death for adultery by al-Shabab.
The group controls large swathes of southern Somalia where they have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law which has been unpopular with many Somalis.
'Lenient'
According to reports from a small village near the town of Wajid, 250 miles (400km) north-west of the capital, Mogadishu, the woman was taken to the public grounds where she was buried up to her waist. The Islamists want to impose a strict version of Sharia on Somalia. She was then stoned to death in front of the crowds on Tuesday afternoon.
The judge, Sheikh Ibrahim Abdirahman, said her unmarried boyfriend was given 100 lashes at the same venue. Under al-Shabab's interpretation of Sharia law, anyone who has ever been married - even a divorcee - who has an affair is liable to be found guilty of adultery, punishable by stoning to death. An unmarried person who has sex before marriage is liable to be given 100 lashes.
BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the stoning is at least the fourth for adultery in Somalia over the last year.
Earlier this month, a man was stoned to death for adultery in the port town of Merka, south of Mogadishu. His pregnant girlfriend was spared, until she gives birth. A girl was stoned to death for adultery in the southern town of Kismayo last year. Human rights groups said she was 13 years old and had been raped, but the Islamists said she was older and had been married.
Last month, two men were stoned to death in Merka after being accused of spying.
President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist, was sworn in as president after UN-brokered peace talks in January. Although he says he also wants to implement Sharia, al-Shabab says his version of Islamic law would be too lenient.
The country has not had a functioning national government for 18 years.
Comment by Marvin X
Imagine all the people likely to be stoned to death in America if Islamic Sharia law were imposed. Because of the many backward notions in religions due to primitive mythology, I wrote Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality. Religion has outlived any usefulness in today's world. It is the cause of violence in the home, in the street and numerous wars across the planet, e.g., Christian Crusaders occupying Muslim lands throughout the Middle East and Africa. The Christians are as backward, dogmatic and narrow minded as Muslims. What right do they have to impose democracy or any part of their warped, hypocritical moral vision on people when they have yet come to terms with the cross and the lynching tree.
Can religion be summed up as man's attempt to control women? She outsmarted, fooled and deceived Adam in the Garden and has suffered ever since.So her body, mind and soul must be guarded against, watched over and never allowed an iota of freedom. She is thus the property of men who "maintain" her even though today women are often quite able to maintain themselves and men, yet the man "pays the cost to be the boss," though this may be an illusion, a figment of his imagination from times past.
Whether it is gang rape, partner violence, emotional and verbal abuse, the woman suffers greatly from the men she loves--again, the concept of honor killings reveal that even her father, brothers, husband, uncle, cousins, may seek her life if she steps outside the door of primitive patriarchal mythology found in the various religions. In the church she is condemned for being a "church ho" but her preacher is forgiven--even rewarded for his "pimping in the name of the Lord."
A 20-year-old woman divorcee accused of committing adultery in Somalia has been stoned to death by Islamists in front of a crowd of about 200 people. A judge working for the militant group al-Shabab said she had had an affair with an unmarried 29-year-old man. He said she gave birth to a still-born baby and was found guilty of adultery. Her boyfriend was given 100 lashes. It is thought to be the second time a woman has been stoned to death for adultery by al-Shabab.
The group controls large swathes of southern Somalia where they have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law which has been unpopular with many Somalis.
'Lenient'
According to reports from a small village near the town of Wajid, 250 miles (400km) north-west of the capital, Mogadishu, the woman was taken to the public grounds where she was buried up to her waist. The Islamists want to impose a strict version of Sharia on Somalia. She was then stoned to death in front of the crowds on Tuesday afternoon.
The judge, Sheikh Ibrahim Abdirahman, said her unmarried boyfriend was given 100 lashes at the same venue. Under al-Shabab's interpretation of Sharia law, anyone who has ever been married - even a divorcee - who has an affair is liable to be found guilty of adultery, punishable by stoning to death. An unmarried person who has sex before marriage is liable to be given 100 lashes.
BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the stoning is at least the fourth for adultery in Somalia over the last year.
Earlier this month, a man was stoned to death for adultery in the port town of Merka, south of Mogadishu. His pregnant girlfriend was spared, until she gives birth. A girl was stoned to death for adultery in the southern town of Kismayo last year. Human rights groups said she was 13 years old and had been raped, but the Islamists said she was older and had been married.
Last month, two men were stoned to death in Merka after being accused of spying.
President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist, was sworn in as president after UN-brokered peace talks in January. Although he says he also wants to implement Sharia, al-Shabab says his version of Islamic law would be too lenient.
The country has not had a functioning national government for 18 years.
Comment by Marvin X
Imagine all the people likely to be stoned to death in America if Islamic Sharia law were imposed. Because of the many backward notions in religions due to primitive mythology, I wrote Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality. Religion has outlived any usefulness in today's world. It is the cause of violence in the home, in the street and numerous wars across the planet, e.g., Christian Crusaders occupying Muslim lands throughout the Middle East and Africa. The Christians are as backward, dogmatic and narrow minded as Muslims. What right do they have to impose democracy or any part of their warped, hypocritical moral vision on people when they have yet come to terms with the cross and the lynching tree.
Can religion be summed up as man's attempt to control women? She outsmarted, fooled and deceived Adam in the Garden and has suffered ever since.So her body, mind and soul must be guarded against, watched over and never allowed an iota of freedom. She is thus the property of men who "maintain" her even though today women are often quite able to maintain themselves and men, yet the man "pays the cost to be the boss," though this may be an illusion, a figment of his imagination from times past.
Whether it is gang rape, partner violence, emotional and verbal abuse, the woman suffers greatly from the men she loves--again, the concept of honor killings reveal that even her father, brothers, husband, uncle, cousins, may seek her life if she steps outside the door of primitive patriarchal mythology found in the various religions. In the church she is condemned for being a "church ho" but her preacher is forgiven--even rewarded for his "pimping in the name of the Lord."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
How to Stop Killing
How to Stop Killing
How To Stop The Killing in the Pan African Hood
By Marvin X
"The reactionaries will never put down their butcher knives,
they will never turn into Buddha heads."—Mao
We are talking about a condition in the hearts of men, an evil sore festering and stinking like rotten meat, to use that Langston Hughes metaphor. It is a spiritual disease more prevalent than HIV, for it consumes whole countries, not only Pan Africa, but it may be said to originate in Europe because lying and murder is the great theme of this culture, and Africa and Africans throughout the Diaspora are victimized and suffer this malady equally with their colonial Mother. See how Europe butchered the butcher's sons in Iraq, or is this the democratic way of life she is bringing to the sand nigguhs?
The problem is how to throw off the vestiges of colonialism to become the New Man and New Woman. Of course, we must first recognize how sick colonialism has made us throughout Pan Africa. Somehow we must bow down and ask forgiveness of our Higher Power, the ancestors, the living and the yet unborn. There must be a cleansing ritual performed until the mud and slime of Western culture is purged from our minds, bodies and souls.
The Western gods must be destroyed, crushed to the earth and stomped into eternity, for they have blessed us with ignorance, superstition, greed, lust and pure evil, allowing us to become worse than beasts in the field, committing the worse atrocities, yea, even worse than all the teaching of our colonial masters.
No doubt Africa is paying for the great sin of sending her sons and daughters into slavery. Has Africa asked forgiveness of herself, yet she wails for apology from the slave master's children. Has she given reparations to her descendants lost in the wilderness of North America? Has she ever sent a symbolic ship or plane to bring them home? So Pan Africa lives a slow death because she allows corrupt, boastful, arrogant leaders to control her nations, her leaders shelter each other, covering their multiple sins, protecting themselves from people's justice who would rightfully hang them like Mussolini and his wife.
Like jack in the box, Pan Africa must jump out of her iniquities, she must call forth the divine energy within the bowels of her soul and step into the New Day of light, breath and health. She cannot allow her children to devour her from coast to coast, sea to sea, from America to Africa, but children only mock the behavior of adults, so we cannot blame them, children are children, so adults must step to the front of the line, no matter how busy they are doing nothing, for they are surely doing nothing if the village is in chaos, security being the top priority of civilization.
Everyone must become the central command, every man and woman must be about the business of teaching new values, new ways of thinking and acting that are not harmful to the human soul and the human condition. The world is so full of wisdom it escapes us because our quest is for the trivial, the low things of life, not the things in the upper room, but those in the basement, in the gutter of our minds and hearts, that is where we dwell, that is our focus and this is why we suffer. Kobe gives his wife a four million dollar rock, but will it placate her soul, will material things correct a spiritual problem of faith and trust?
The West has a sordid history buying people as Pan Africa can attest, but everyone is not for sale, those of integrity will jump ship, will eat the whip and the gun, for persecution is worse than slaughter, the Qur'an teaches.
No, physical weapons cannot solve the problem. Look at Israel, she has the all the modern weapons but she cannot defeat the spirit of a people determined to be free. So Pan Africa's children can and must be armed with a new consciousness. Even Fidel Castro has said the new weapon is consciousness! Like Johnny Appleseed, we must go about spreading consciousness, teaching unconditional love and forgiveness, sharing knowledge and wealth with the poor and ignorant, the brokenhearted and oppressed. I am not trying to be sentimental, but we can and must flip the script as they say in the hood.
Again, like Jack, we must jump out the box of mental and physical oppression by taking a new look at reality, by stopping a moment to wonder at the pleasure in the sun, the trees, the sea and mountains, the glory of being alive each moment to share human love, being grateful we have a moment on this earth to whisper truth to children that they may rise and be a pleasure to the ancestors watching everywhere. Yes, we must transcend block man and block woman, the block within ourselves even, and reach forth into the realm of new possibilities, not allowing evil and her brothers and sisters to control the air and sun that comes each day blessing us with another moment to walk in the light, escaping the darkness of ignorance, greed and lust and violence.
Black men, go into the hood and take the guns from your sons, yes the sons you abandoned, neglected and rejected, the sons who look like you although you deny this, the sons who walk with sad hearts, hardened because they long for you, for your love and guidance, for your wisdom and strength, after all, Mama did all she could to raise her manchild in the promised land.
* * * * *
A Response to "Killing in the Pan Africa Hood"
By Rudolph Lewis
Marvin, there is great wisdom that should be heeded in your essay "How To Stop The Killing in the Pan African Hood." I am aware that a new set of values (though possessed by our enslaved ancestors but now abandoned under the "new world order") and a new perspective of our place in the world, of our past and future are earnestly needed in these dire times.
The most important of these new perspectives is couched in your paragraph that reads as follows:
Has Africa asked forgiveness of herself, yet she wails for apology from the slave masters' children. Has she given reparations to her descendants lost in the wilderness of North America? Has she ever sent a symbolic ship or plane to bring them home? So Pan Africa lives a slow death because she allows corrupt, boastful, arrogant leaders to control her nations, her leaders shelter each other, covering their multiple sins, protecting themselves from people's justice who would rightfully hang them like Mussolini and his wife.
In short, you suggest our critical sword should have a double edge—that is, the slave trade involved African nations and European nations collaborating for the purposes of wealth and power. They got rid of their "niggertrash." Many of those descendants of the tribal kings and chiefs who sold millions of slaves still play significant roles in the politics of today's African nations. And they will sell us again and their people again in the 21st century, if the World Bank and other internationalist (globalist), corporatist agencies offer the right price. (Check out Paul Kingsnorth's essay on South Africa and the ANCA Shattered Dream.)
In the contest for wealth and power, "black" and "white," however, are not real distinctions but illusions, a means for escapism or sidetracking those who wish to do the "good." I know "evil" has become a popular theme in the discussion of international politics and the resistance to corporate imperialism, especially from the bully pulpit of the presidency. So-called righteous men love to stand behind such symbolic bulwarks. I hope we do not become agents of such trite rhetoric—it indeed will lead us astray. It is necessary that we keep on the straight and narrow and keep both edges of our sword whetted sharp.
At no time must we sink back into mythologizing the world for the sake of political convenience, to hear merely the rhythm of our own voices. Beneath most Pan-African rhetoric (from the 19th century to the present), there is this underlying notion of Africa as paradise into which Satan (the white man) introduced evil. I recommend strongly that all Pan-Africanists and sympathizers and all other petty-bourgeois, pseudo-revolutionaries read the Malian Yambo Olouloguem's novel Bound to Violence. Or any non-romantic account of Africa before European trade began. Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart will provide some evidence even in the "wholeness" of tribal life, all was not well. Even though there was a sense of justice, and right and wrong. There were some practices or acts that were just horrid, unnecessary, and "evil."
If true be told, there was more evil in Africa than one could shake a stick at. The process of empire building in Africa by Africans themselves and the perennial struggles for power and the retention of power included the wholesale slaughter of tribes (genocide), butchery, debauchery of every sort (religious, political and social), cannibalism, incest, and so on—all these acts of evil existed before modern Europe stepped onto the soil of Africa or worked out its first deal for a cargo of slaves. The emperors, kings and queens, and chiefs—to whom we have become so inured (and want to imitate by dress, manners, and religion)—did not achieve those aristocratic titles by their sweetness and benevolence but by the same means we are familiar with today in those who strive to rule and conquer. That is, they did it the old-fashioned way—by violence, exploitation, and oppression..
The aberrations we see in Africa and at home are not new. This violence for wealth and power is just as old as the first time one brother killed another for his wife or his ass. This contest for dominance has always been bloody and this violence and evil were not invented by Europe or whites. We must do away with this myth—the white man alone as incarnate Devil. Otherwise, in a perverse way, we make Africans less than human—we make them into externally corrupted angels.
There is no sanctity in having a black skin or in Africanity. This type of mythologizing gives our leaders too much credit and too much room for collaboration with corporate power and a means of duping the masses of the poor and the black working classes. It is no longer sustainable that we ask or recommend that the masses of "Pan-Africa" to live vicariously by distant observation and/or proximity to power and wealth. That an elite should live in comfort and security while the great masses attend them hand and foot with all their hearts and souls is no longer acceptable if we truly have egalitarian goals for our society. .
That kind of barbaric nobility is no longer proper in a civilized world in which democracy and human rights have been given revitalized meanings in which every man is a king and queen, or at least be acknowledged with that kind of respect, integrity, and dignity.
Our critical sword should not only land on the heads of the great aberrations of society—the likes of a Idi Amin, a Mobutu, a Bokassa, or a Sgt. Doe or a Charles Taylor, but also those respectable heads of state like Mbeki, Obasanjo, and the other African leaders who smilingly welcomed Bush to Africa and are ever-ready to make their deals with globalization. Such African leaders with such narrow interests sold our ancestors into the Americas.
And not only those African leaders there, but also here at home, we should do some swinging at our black elected and appointed officials (city councilmen, legislators, cabinet secretaries), yes and also corporate and ecclesiastical functionaries, and other notable heads, such as the leaders of civil rights organizations like the NACCP, whose board is ruled by corporate executives or such flunkies and running dogs. They too must be made to pay for their sins of neglect and moral blindness.
If we lapse into the anti-white, anti-American, anti-Western rhetoric, we will sorely miss the point and provide more fuel for these black elites to further misdirect the energies of the masses of Pan-Africa along lines of escapism and support for the status quo.
If we are to make real changes within our communities some of our petty bourgeois aspirations must be abandoned. We can no longer naively defend black middle-class sellout politicians and preachers. We must recognize a real change in the face, rhetorical aspirations, and the present corporate ties that our leaders have established. It is fine to cite Walter Rodney's How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, as some Pan-Africanist Marxists tend to do. That is well indeed. I am far from a white apologist—a corner in which some may want to paint me. But I do not want to be a black apologist, either -- I was not taught that way.
The NAACP is headquartered here in Baltimore and they just had a conference and they had nothing to say about the 40% unemployment rate here among black males (18-35); the high murder rate (about 300 a year, mostly young black males); a 50% drop-out rate from high school; neighborhoods in which only 25% of adults have a high school diploma. Brothers and sisters are paraded to jails like our ancestors to Goree Island!!! Whatever the justification for their apprehension is inadequate and should cause some shame to those who run this city and those who support the powers to be—which here in a majority black city, means a black middle class and those who work government jobs or receive money from corporate elites
Damn, brother, we have grown ass men on the corner selling single cigarettes for 35 cents a piece. What kind of enterprise is that? And it is not just a few. Is that any way to gain a livelihood? And our shit-head leaders are worrying about whether Bush or democratic presidential candidates come to their meeting. Ain't that a matter to be indignant and upset about? But it seems we are so spiritually sick we take it as a norm the misery and the downtrodden state of the poor (black and white). That the oppressed are overlooked and allowed to continue to sink into the abyss is a grand betrayal by our leaders. Murder and mayhem is not just coming from the bottom dregs of society. We have a general slavery and devastation in which silence and passivity is imposed by poverty, the gun, and prisons? With these reservations, I support heartily the sentiments contained in your plea for earnest black work, black renewal, and black progress.
Marvin X has taught English, African American literature, journalism, creative writing, drama, technical writing at various colleges and universities, including: University of California, Berkeley and San Diego, San Francisco State University, University of Nevada, Reno and elsewhere.
For more writings by Marvin X, go to www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com. Or write to Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley CA 94702.
Marvin X is available for speaking/readings. Call 510-355-6339 or email: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
How To Stop The Killing in the Pan African Hood
By Marvin X
"The reactionaries will never put down their butcher knives,
they will never turn into Buddha heads."—Mao
We are talking about a condition in the hearts of men, an evil sore festering and stinking like rotten meat, to use that Langston Hughes metaphor. It is a spiritual disease more prevalent than HIV, for it consumes whole countries, not only Pan Africa, but it may be said to originate in Europe because lying and murder is the great theme of this culture, and Africa and Africans throughout the Diaspora are victimized and suffer this malady equally with their colonial Mother. See how Europe butchered the butcher's sons in Iraq, or is this the democratic way of life she is bringing to the sand nigguhs?
The problem is how to throw off the vestiges of colonialism to become the New Man and New Woman. Of course, we must first recognize how sick colonialism has made us throughout Pan Africa. Somehow we must bow down and ask forgiveness of our Higher Power, the ancestors, the living and the yet unborn. There must be a cleansing ritual performed until the mud and slime of Western culture is purged from our minds, bodies and souls.
The Western gods must be destroyed, crushed to the earth and stomped into eternity, for they have blessed us with ignorance, superstition, greed, lust and pure evil, allowing us to become worse than beasts in the field, committing the worse atrocities, yea, even worse than all the teaching of our colonial masters.
No doubt Africa is paying for the great sin of sending her sons and daughters into slavery. Has Africa asked forgiveness of herself, yet she wails for apology from the slave master's children. Has she given reparations to her descendants lost in the wilderness of North America? Has she ever sent a symbolic ship or plane to bring them home? So Pan Africa lives a slow death because she allows corrupt, boastful, arrogant leaders to control her nations, her leaders shelter each other, covering their multiple sins, protecting themselves from people's justice who would rightfully hang them like Mussolini and his wife.
Like jack in the box, Pan Africa must jump out of her iniquities, she must call forth the divine energy within the bowels of her soul and step into the New Day of light, breath and health. She cannot allow her children to devour her from coast to coast, sea to sea, from America to Africa, but children only mock the behavior of adults, so we cannot blame them, children are children, so adults must step to the front of the line, no matter how busy they are doing nothing, for they are surely doing nothing if the village is in chaos, security being the top priority of civilization.
Everyone must become the central command, every man and woman must be about the business of teaching new values, new ways of thinking and acting that are not harmful to the human soul and the human condition. The world is so full of wisdom it escapes us because our quest is for the trivial, the low things of life, not the things in the upper room, but those in the basement, in the gutter of our minds and hearts, that is where we dwell, that is our focus and this is why we suffer. Kobe gives his wife a four million dollar rock, but will it placate her soul, will material things correct a spiritual problem of faith and trust?
The West has a sordid history buying people as Pan Africa can attest, but everyone is not for sale, those of integrity will jump ship, will eat the whip and the gun, for persecution is worse than slaughter, the Qur'an teaches.
No, physical weapons cannot solve the problem. Look at Israel, she has the all the modern weapons but she cannot defeat the spirit of a people determined to be free. So Pan Africa's children can and must be armed with a new consciousness. Even Fidel Castro has said the new weapon is consciousness! Like Johnny Appleseed, we must go about spreading consciousness, teaching unconditional love and forgiveness, sharing knowledge and wealth with the poor and ignorant, the brokenhearted and oppressed. I am not trying to be sentimental, but we can and must flip the script as they say in the hood.
Again, like Jack, we must jump out the box of mental and physical oppression by taking a new look at reality, by stopping a moment to wonder at the pleasure in the sun, the trees, the sea and mountains, the glory of being alive each moment to share human love, being grateful we have a moment on this earth to whisper truth to children that they may rise and be a pleasure to the ancestors watching everywhere. Yes, we must transcend block man and block woman, the block within ourselves even, and reach forth into the realm of new possibilities, not allowing evil and her brothers and sisters to control the air and sun that comes each day blessing us with another moment to walk in the light, escaping the darkness of ignorance, greed and lust and violence.
Black men, go into the hood and take the guns from your sons, yes the sons you abandoned, neglected and rejected, the sons who look like you although you deny this, the sons who walk with sad hearts, hardened because they long for you, for your love and guidance, for your wisdom and strength, after all, Mama did all she could to raise her manchild in the promised land.
* * * * *
A Response to "Killing in the Pan Africa Hood"
By Rudolph Lewis
Marvin, there is great wisdom that should be heeded in your essay "How To Stop The Killing in the Pan African Hood." I am aware that a new set of values (though possessed by our enslaved ancestors but now abandoned under the "new world order") and a new perspective of our place in the world, of our past and future are earnestly needed in these dire times.
The most important of these new perspectives is couched in your paragraph that reads as follows:
Has Africa asked forgiveness of herself, yet she wails for apology from the slave masters' children. Has she given reparations to her descendants lost in the wilderness of North America? Has she ever sent a symbolic ship or plane to bring them home? So Pan Africa lives a slow death because she allows corrupt, boastful, arrogant leaders to control her nations, her leaders shelter each other, covering their multiple sins, protecting themselves from people's justice who would rightfully hang them like Mussolini and his wife.
In short, you suggest our critical sword should have a double edge—that is, the slave trade involved African nations and European nations collaborating for the purposes of wealth and power. They got rid of their "niggertrash." Many of those descendants of the tribal kings and chiefs who sold millions of slaves still play significant roles in the politics of today's African nations. And they will sell us again and their people again in the 21st century, if the World Bank and other internationalist (globalist), corporatist agencies offer the right price. (Check out Paul Kingsnorth's essay on South Africa and the ANCA Shattered Dream.)
In the contest for wealth and power, "black" and "white," however, are not real distinctions but illusions, a means for escapism or sidetracking those who wish to do the "good." I know "evil" has become a popular theme in the discussion of international politics and the resistance to corporate imperialism, especially from the bully pulpit of the presidency. So-called righteous men love to stand behind such symbolic bulwarks. I hope we do not become agents of such trite rhetoric—it indeed will lead us astray. It is necessary that we keep on the straight and narrow and keep both edges of our sword whetted sharp.
At no time must we sink back into mythologizing the world for the sake of political convenience, to hear merely the rhythm of our own voices. Beneath most Pan-African rhetoric (from the 19th century to the present), there is this underlying notion of Africa as paradise into which Satan (the white man) introduced evil. I recommend strongly that all Pan-Africanists and sympathizers and all other petty-bourgeois, pseudo-revolutionaries read the Malian Yambo Olouloguem's novel Bound to Violence. Or any non-romantic account of Africa before European trade began. Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart will provide some evidence even in the "wholeness" of tribal life, all was not well. Even though there was a sense of justice, and right and wrong. There were some practices or acts that were just horrid, unnecessary, and "evil."
If true be told, there was more evil in Africa than one could shake a stick at. The process of empire building in Africa by Africans themselves and the perennial struggles for power and the retention of power included the wholesale slaughter of tribes (genocide), butchery, debauchery of every sort (religious, political and social), cannibalism, incest, and so on—all these acts of evil existed before modern Europe stepped onto the soil of Africa or worked out its first deal for a cargo of slaves. The emperors, kings and queens, and chiefs—to whom we have become so inured (and want to imitate by dress, manners, and religion)—did not achieve those aristocratic titles by their sweetness and benevolence but by the same means we are familiar with today in those who strive to rule and conquer. That is, they did it the old-fashioned way—by violence, exploitation, and oppression..
The aberrations we see in Africa and at home are not new. This violence for wealth and power is just as old as the first time one brother killed another for his wife or his ass. This contest for dominance has always been bloody and this violence and evil were not invented by Europe or whites. We must do away with this myth—the white man alone as incarnate Devil. Otherwise, in a perverse way, we make Africans less than human—we make them into externally corrupted angels.
There is no sanctity in having a black skin or in Africanity. This type of mythologizing gives our leaders too much credit and too much room for collaboration with corporate power and a means of duping the masses of the poor and the black working classes. It is no longer sustainable that we ask or recommend that the masses of "Pan-Africa" to live vicariously by distant observation and/or proximity to power and wealth. That an elite should live in comfort and security while the great masses attend them hand and foot with all their hearts and souls is no longer acceptable if we truly have egalitarian goals for our society. .
That kind of barbaric nobility is no longer proper in a civilized world in which democracy and human rights have been given revitalized meanings in which every man is a king and queen, or at least be acknowledged with that kind of respect, integrity, and dignity.
Our critical sword should not only land on the heads of the great aberrations of society—the likes of a Idi Amin, a Mobutu, a Bokassa, or a Sgt. Doe or a Charles Taylor, but also those respectable heads of state like Mbeki, Obasanjo, and the other African leaders who smilingly welcomed Bush to Africa and are ever-ready to make their deals with globalization. Such African leaders with such narrow interests sold our ancestors into the Americas.
And not only those African leaders there, but also here at home, we should do some swinging at our black elected and appointed officials (city councilmen, legislators, cabinet secretaries), yes and also corporate and ecclesiastical functionaries, and other notable heads, such as the leaders of civil rights organizations like the NACCP, whose board is ruled by corporate executives or such flunkies and running dogs. They too must be made to pay for their sins of neglect and moral blindness.
If we lapse into the anti-white, anti-American, anti-Western rhetoric, we will sorely miss the point and provide more fuel for these black elites to further misdirect the energies of the masses of Pan-Africa along lines of escapism and support for the status quo.
If we are to make real changes within our communities some of our petty bourgeois aspirations must be abandoned. We can no longer naively defend black middle-class sellout politicians and preachers. We must recognize a real change in the face, rhetorical aspirations, and the present corporate ties that our leaders have established. It is fine to cite Walter Rodney's How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, as some Pan-Africanist Marxists tend to do. That is well indeed. I am far from a white apologist—a corner in which some may want to paint me. But I do not want to be a black apologist, either -- I was not taught that way.
The NAACP is headquartered here in Baltimore and they just had a conference and they had nothing to say about the 40% unemployment rate here among black males (18-35); the high murder rate (about 300 a year, mostly young black males); a 50% drop-out rate from high school; neighborhoods in which only 25% of adults have a high school diploma. Brothers and sisters are paraded to jails like our ancestors to Goree Island!!! Whatever the justification for their apprehension is inadequate and should cause some shame to those who run this city and those who support the powers to be—which here in a majority black city, means a black middle class and those who work government jobs or receive money from corporate elites
Damn, brother, we have grown ass men on the corner selling single cigarettes for 35 cents a piece. What kind of enterprise is that? And it is not just a few. Is that any way to gain a livelihood? And our shit-head leaders are worrying about whether Bush or democratic presidential candidates come to their meeting. Ain't that a matter to be indignant and upset about? But it seems we are so spiritually sick we take it as a norm the misery and the downtrodden state of the poor (black and white). That the oppressed are overlooked and allowed to continue to sink into the abyss is a grand betrayal by our leaders. Murder and mayhem is not just coming from the bottom dregs of society. We have a general slavery and devastation in which silence and passivity is imposed by poverty, the gun, and prisons? With these reservations, I support heartily the sentiments contained in your plea for earnest black work, black renewal, and black progress.
Marvin X has taught English, African American literature, journalism, creative writing, drama, technical writing at various colleges and universities, including: University of California, Berkeley and San Diego, San Francisco State University, University of Nevada, Reno and elsewhere.
For more writings by Marvin X, go to www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com. Or write to Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley CA 94702.
Marvin X is available for speaking/readings. Call 510-355-6339 or email: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Monday, November 16, 2009
San Pablo Police Murder Charlie Walker's Grandson
San Pablo Police Murder Charlie Walker's Grandson
We heard the news all weekend that the San Pablo police killed a 16 year old fleeing from an alleged car jacking. The news said although the 16 year old did not have a gun, he was shot anyway because they "thought" he might have a gun. We thought this was strange for the police to kill the young man because they "thought" he had a gun.
My friend Charlie Walker called this morning to tell me the young man was his grandson, the son of his oldest daughter, Yolanda. Shortly before his call my daughter had dropped off my grandson for me to baby-sit while she ran an errand. After the news from Charlie, I looked at my grandson a different way, although he is only two I wondered will he live to 16. We all live in a danger zone--if the police don't kill us because they think we have a gun, a brother might take us out for some meaningless reason.
What must be done in the danger zone? We must put on the armor of God as protection against the police and our brothers. The armor of God is consciousness of our mission and purpose. It is being ever on the alert and not getting caught up in meaningless bullshit, petty crimes and activities that put our lives in jeopardy.
Our prayers go out to the Walker family and especially his daughter, Yolanda.
As-salaam-Alaikum,
Marvin X
We heard the news all weekend that the San Pablo police killed a 16 year old fleeing from an alleged car jacking. The news said although the 16 year old did not have a gun, he was shot anyway because they "thought" he might have a gun. We thought this was strange for the police to kill the young man because they "thought" he had a gun.
My friend Charlie Walker called this morning to tell me the young man was his grandson, the son of his oldest daughter, Yolanda. Shortly before his call my daughter had dropped off my grandson for me to baby-sit while she ran an errand. After the news from Charlie, I looked at my grandson a different way, although he is only two I wondered will he live to 16. We all live in a danger zone--if the police don't kill us because they think we have a gun, a brother might take us out for some meaningless reason.
What must be done in the danger zone? We must put on the armor of God as protection against the police and our brothers. The armor of God is consciousness of our mission and purpose. It is being ever on the alert and not getting caught up in meaningless bullshit, petty crimes and activities that put our lives in jeopardy.
Our prayers go out to the Walker family and especially his daughter, Yolanda.
As-salaam-Alaikum,
Marvin X
Mythology of Love
The Mythology of Love
Don't Say Pussy
just beat your woman half to death
because you own her
she yo private property
don't say pussy
just gang rape from America to Africa
from the streets of Richmond to the DA's office
don't say pussy
that's a nasty word
just cut off clitoris
it's African tradition
and we african to the bone
don't say pussy
let AIDS infect the world
but don't say pussy
say vagina
cunt
anything but pussy
say cat
dog
boo
anything but pussy
nastiest word in creation
we presume
don't say pussy
just be a church ho
jezebel in the temple
don't say pussy
people might understand
it's a woman's body not man's
not his pussy but hers
24/7 she owns it
you don't have a pussy
you don't have a pussy
pussy man
get the concept baby boy
now you got 25 to life for rape
don't say pussy
say asshole from now on
don't say pussy
abuse yo wife cause she gave up some
to yo buddy
only after you fucked her best friend
but don't say pussy
cause you own it
paid for it
got it legal
not in the alley
in yo house
so abuse it accuse it
but don't say it
send yo woman to the hospital
two black eyes
why not kill her cause she gave it up
in a revenge fuck
you taught her to say
"You don't have no evidence
I gave it up"
you told her that many times
on yo pussy runs
but don't say pussy
in anger management class
court mandated
since you so warped
wanna beat her
why not beat the white man
beat yo boss
not yo woman, yo pussy
you love so much
but it's gone now
ain't coming back
you so crude and rude
don't say pussy
just think about it.
think about who taught you pussy was dirty, nasty
the church, the pope, the bishop fucking little boys
what he know bout pussy
ain't pussy God's mother
holy mary mother of God
who taught you pussy was nasty, funky
was it religions of men
wanting control of women and the fruit of their womb
control of property
control of the world
who are these men
did they come from women
did women teach them this madness
was it her breast milk
her kindness
wiping their asses
snotty noses
was it mama's hands taught them this
yet they hate pussy
will beat it to death, throw it in the Bay, on the roadside, in the woods
in the backyard, in the wall
what kind of people are these
constructing a world to hate pussy
the very thing that gave them life
won't let it be free
want to cage it box it handcuff it tie it up in the closet
what manner of man is this
what beast what cave animal what dog
still cave acting in the modern world
actually hating that which he loves
some kind of schizophrenic devil
can't do without pussy for five minutes
he wants to cum
wants some head
wants some yeah pussy
wants some ass
wants wants wants
but hates hates hates pussy
a sick man really
go to the pussy doctor
not the gyno but the psycho
talk to him bout yo problem
why you so warped demented deranged
want to get violent over her pussy
that you can't own no matter what the papers say
no matter how much you pay on yo pussy bill
you can't own it dog
don't think you own it for a minute cause you don't you can't
it's not yours to own baby boy
get a life a real life in a hurry
before the end of the world
don't you see it coming
and you still stuck on stupid
go be dead in this life
dead in the hereafter
be careful
pussy gives life and pussy takes life
you can't beat it
too strong
you lose in the end
pussy always wins
pussy bad
better ax somebody.
go get a healing!
--Marvin X
11/15/09
Don't Say Pussy
just beat your woman half to death
because you own her
she yo private property
don't say pussy
just gang rape from America to Africa
from the streets of Richmond to the DA's office
don't say pussy
that's a nasty word
just cut off clitoris
it's African tradition
and we african to the bone
don't say pussy
let AIDS infect the world
but don't say pussy
say vagina
cunt
anything but pussy
say cat
dog
boo
anything but pussy
nastiest word in creation
we presume
don't say pussy
just be a church ho
jezebel in the temple
don't say pussy
people might understand
it's a woman's body not man's
not his pussy but hers
24/7 she owns it
you don't have a pussy
you don't have a pussy
pussy man
get the concept baby boy
now you got 25 to life for rape
don't say pussy
say asshole from now on
don't say pussy
abuse yo wife cause she gave up some
to yo buddy
only after you fucked her best friend
but don't say pussy
cause you own it
paid for it
got it legal
not in the alley
in yo house
so abuse it accuse it
but don't say it
send yo woman to the hospital
two black eyes
why not kill her cause she gave it up
in a revenge fuck
you taught her to say
"You don't have no evidence
I gave it up"
you told her that many times
on yo pussy runs
but don't say pussy
in anger management class
court mandated
since you so warped
wanna beat her
why not beat the white man
beat yo boss
not yo woman, yo pussy
you love so much
but it's gone now
ain't coming back
you so crude and rude
don't say pussy
just think about it.
think about who taught you pussy was dirty, nasty
the church, the pope, the bishop fucking little boys
what he know bout pussy
ain't pussy God's mother
holy mary mother of God
who taught you pussy was nasty, funky
was it religions of men
wanting control of women and the fruit of their womb
control of property
control of the world
who are these men
did they come from women
did women teach them this madness
was it her breast milk
her kindness
wiping their asses
snotty noses
was it mama's hands taught them this
yet they hate pussy
will beat it to death, throw it in the Bay, on the roadside, in the woods
in the backyard, in the wall
what kind of people are these
constructing a world to hate pussy
the very thing that gave them life
won't let it be free
want to cage it box it handcuff it tie it up in the closet
what manner of man is this
what beast what cave animal what dog
still cave acting in the modern world
actually hating that which he loves
some kind of schizophrenic devil
can't do without pussy for five minutes
he wants to cum
wants some head
wants some yeah pussy
wants some ass
wants wants wants
but hates hates hates pussy
a sick man really
go to the pussy doctor
not the gyno but the psycho
talk to him bout yo problem
why you so warped demented deranged
want to get violent over her pussy
that you can't own no matter what the papers say
no matter how much you pay on yo pussy bill
you can't own it dog
don't think you own it for a minute cause you don't you can't
it's not yours to own baby boy
get a life a real life in a hurry
before the end of the world
don't you see it coming
and you still stuck on stupid
go be dead in this life
dead in the hereafter
be careful
pussy gives life and pussy takes life
you can't beat it
too strong
you lose in the end
pussy always wins
pussy bad
better ax somebody.
go get a healing!
--Marvin X
11/15/09
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Marvin X Reads My friend the Devil, Eldridge Cleaver
On Saturday, November 21, 8pm
Marvin X reads and discusses
his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver--
My Friend the Devil
intro by Amiri Baraka
Readers include: Ayodele Nzingha, Suzzette Celese, Geoffrey Grier,
Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen, James W. Sweeney, Charlie Walker
Musical accompanient by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance Linda Johnson, Raynetta Raynetta
Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd,
Oakland
call 510-533-6629
donation $10.00
"This is the funniest book of 2009.
The more you know about black
history, the funnier it is.
--Dr. James Garrett
Marvin X is one of America's
great story tellers. Maybe second
only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place
Marvin X ahead of him even.
--Rudolph Lewis, editor, www.nathanielturner.com
Hallelujah! MX is reminiscing, I must say, entertainingly,
about his historic dalliance w/shaitan.
--Amiri Baraka, from intro
Thank you Marvin...get it all out, write it out, dance it out,
cry it out, swear it out, walk it out, work it out, thank you
for sharing. --Tarika Lewis, violinist, activist and first Black Panther female
Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley 94702
510-355-6339
$19.95
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
To book Marvin X at colleges and universities:
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
510-355-6339
If you missed the Marvin X Production of Amiri Baraka's 75th Birthday Celebration at San Francisco's Jazz Heritage Center Monday afternoon, please don't miss his reading this Sat., Nov 21, 8pm at Eastside Culture Center, 2277 International Blvd. The Jazz Heritage Center event was an explosion of black spiritual consciousness produced by the co-founder of the Black Arts Movement. In 1966, along with playwright Ed Bullins, Ethna Wyatt (Hurriyah Asar), Duncan Barber, Hillary Broadous and Carl Bossiere, Marvin X established the Black Arts West Theatre at Fillmore and Turk, in an abandoned theatre around the corner from Dr. Carlton Goodlett's Sun Reporter newspaper office. Black Arts West was the west coast counterpart of Amiri Baraka's Black Arts Repertory Theatre in Harlem. Marvin later came to Harlem and joined Ed Bullins at the New Lafayette Theatre. Marvin was associate editor of Black Theatre Magazine, a publication of the New Lafayette. He also contributed to Black Dialogue, the Journal of Black Poetry, Soulbook, Negro Digest/Black World, Black Scholar and Muhammad Speaks. In Harlem he worked with Askia Toure, Milford Graves, Mae Jackson, Amiri Baraka, Sun Ra, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Haki Madhubuti, the Last Poets, Barbara Ann Teer and others.
On Saturday he will read from his memoir of Black Panther Minister of Information, Eldridge Cleaver, author of the 60s bestseller Soul on Ice. Marvin X met Cleaver when the staff of Black Dialogue visited the Soledad Prison black culture club, 1966. Upon his release from Soledad, Cleaver hooked up with Marvin X and they organized Black House, a political/cultural center on Broderick Street in San Francisco. Black House associates included Ed Bullins, Hurriyah Asar, Willie Dale, Samual Napier, Emory Douglas, Chicago Art Ensemble, Amiri and Amina Baraka, Avotcja,Sarah Webster Fabio, Lil Bobby Hutton and others. After a dispute with the cultural workers, Black House transformed into the San Francisco headquarters of the Black Panther Party.
Marvin X had introduced Eldridge Cleaver to Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, his classmates from Oakland's Merritt College. Cleaver immediately joined the BPP and became minister of information. The Panthers tried to recruit Marvin but he joined the Nation of Islam and later fled into exile to Toronto, Canada because he opposed the war in Vietnam. He returned underground to America but after he was denied a teaching position at Fresno State University, 1969 (at Gov. Ronald Reagan's request) and was found guilty of refusing induction, he fled into exile a second time, this time to Mexico City and Belize, Central America. Marvin was deported from Belize and returned to the US. He spent five months in Federal prison, Terminal Island. After his 1968 shootout with Oakland police (Lil Bobby Hutton was murdered in cold blood by the OPD), Cleaver followed Marvin X into exile, fleeing to Cuba,
Algeria, France, the Middle East, North Vietnam, North Korea and China.
On Saturday, Marvin, along with Ayodele Nzingha, Geoffrey Grier, James W. Sweeney, Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen,Suzzette Celeste, (with music and dance accompaniment by Rashidah Mwongozi, Linda Johnson, Raynetta Rayzetta), will read from his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver. This narrative is black liberation history, black arts movement history and radical American literature.
Marvin's narrative covers his relationship with Cleaver from the 1966 Soledad prison meeting to his death, May 1, 1998. Marvin officiated his memorial service in Oakland. When Cleaver returned from exile, Marvin organized his ministry to Born Again Christians, Mormons and Moonies. He was Cleaver's chief of staff, secretary, editor of his newsletter, body guard and driver. In the docudrama One Day in the Life, Marvin recounted his crack addiction along with Cleaver and Huey Newton. One critic says My Friend the Devil is as much an autobiography of Marvin X as it is a biography of Eldridge Cleaver.
Marvin X reads and discusses
his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver--
My Friend the Devil
intro by Amiri Baraka
Readers include: Ayodele Nzingha, Suzzette Celese, Geoffrey Grier,
Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen, James W. Sweeney, Charlie Walker
Musical accompanient by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance Linda Johnson, Raynetta Raynetta
Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd,
Oakland
call 510-533-6629
donation $10.00
"This is the funniest book of 2009.
The more you know about black
history, the funnier it is.
--Dr. James Garrett
Marvin X is one of America's
great story tellers. Maybe second
only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place
Marvin X ahead of him even.
--Rudolph Lewis, editor, www.nathanielturner.com
Hallelujah! MX is reminiscing, I must say, entertainingly,
about his historic dalliance w/shaitan.
--Amiri Baraka, from intro
Thank you Marvin...get it all out, write it out, dance it out,
cry it out, swear it out, walk it out, work it out, thank you
for sharing. --Tarika Lewis, violinist, activist and first Black Panther female
Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley 94702
510-355-6339
$19.95
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
To book Marvin X at colleges and universities:
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
510-355-6339
If you missed the Marvin X Production of Amiri Baraka's 75th Birthday Celebration at San Francisco's Jazz Heritage Center Monday afternoon, please don't miss his reading this Sat., Nov 21, 8pm at Eastside Culture Center, 2277 International Blvd. The Jazz Heritage Center event was an explosion of black spiritual consciousness produced by the co-founder of the Black Arts Movement. In 1966, along with playwright Ed Bullins, Ethna Wyatt (Hurriyah Asar), Duncan Barber, Hillary Broadous and Carl Bossiere, Marvin X established the Black Arts West Theatre at Fillmore and Turk, in an abandoned theatre around the corner from Dr. Carlton Goodlett's Sun Reporter newspaper office. Black Arts West was the west coast counterpart of Amiri Baraka's Black Arts Repertory Theatre in Harlem. Marvin later came to Harlem and joined Ed Bullins at the New Lafayette Theatre. Marvin was associate editor of Black Theatre Magazine, a publication of the New Lafayette. He also contributed to Black Dialogue, the Journal of Black Poetry, Soulbook, Negro Digest/Black World, Black Scholar and Muhammad Speaks. In Harlem he worked with Askia Toure, Milford Graves, Mae Jackson, Amiri Baraka, Sun Ra, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Haki Madhubuti, the Last Poets, Barbara Ann Teer and others.
On Saturday he will read from his memoir of Black Panther Minister of Information, Eldridge Cleaver, author of the 60s bestseller Soul on Ice. Marvin X met Cleaver when the staff of Black Dialogue visited the Soledad Prison black culture club, 1966. Upon his release from Soledad, Cleaver hooked up with Marvin X and they organized Black House, a political/cultural center on Broderick Street in San Francisco. Black House associates included Ed Bullins, Hurriyah Asar, Willie Dale, Samual Napier, Emory Douglas, Chicago Art Ensemble, Amiri and Amina Baraka, Avotcja,Sarah Webster Fabio, Lil Bobby Hutton and others. After a dispute with the cultural workers, Black House transformed into the San Francisco headquarters of the Black Panther Party.
Marvin X had introduced Eldridge Cleaver to Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, his classmates from Oakland's Merritt College. Cleaver immediately joined the BPP and became minister of information. The Panthers tried to recruit Marvin but he joined the Nation of Islam and later fled into exile to Toronto, Canada because he opposed the war in Vietnam. He returned underground to America but after he was denied a teaching position at Fresno State University, 1969 (at Gov. Ronald Reagan's request) and was found guilty of refusing induction, he fled into exile a second time, this time to Mexico City and Belize, Central America. Marvin was deported from Belize and returned to the US. He spent five months in Federal prison, Terminal Island. After his 1968 shootout with Oakland police (Lil Bobby Hutton was murdered in cold blood by the OPD), Cleaver followed Marvin X into exile, fleeing to Cuba,
Algeria, France, the Middle East, North Vietnam, North Korea and China.
On Saturday, Marvin, along with Ayodele Nzingha, Geoffrey Grier, James W. Sweeney, Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen,Suzzette Celeste, (with music and dance accompaniment by Rashidah Mwongozi, Linda Johnson, Raynetta Rayzetta), will read from his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver. This narrative is black liberation history, black arts movement history and radical American literature.
Marvin's narrative covers his relationship with Cleaver from the 1966 Soledad prison meeting to his death, May 1, 1998. Marvin officiated his memorial service in Oakland. When Cleaver returned from exile, Marvin organized his ministry to Born Again Christians, Mormons and Moonies. He was Cleaver's chief of staff, secretary, editor of his newsletter, body guard and driver. In the docudrama One Day in the Life, Marvin recounted his crack addiction along with Cleaver and Huey Newton. One critic says My Friend the Devil is as much an autobiography of Marvin X as it is a biography of Eldridge Cleaver.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Amiri Baraka at Black Arts West, SF
Amiri Baraka Entertains in SF
“Lowku” versus Haiku, revives Fillmore Spirit
By Lee Hubbard and Marvin X
Wearing a black suit with a kente cloth tie, Amiri Baraka, celebrating his 75th birthday, was at ease in the center stage at Yoshi’s jazz club in San Francisco, as the Howard Wiley trio played.The crowd featured a cross section of racially mixed older men and women who remembered the golden days when Baraka was one of the most controversial poets in the country during the 1960’s and 1970’s. It was during this time he was one of the main forces behind the Black Arts Movement, which was a reaffirmation on black culture and aimed to change the cultural and social conditions of African American people. In his performance with the Howard Wiley trio playing background music to go along with his poetry which lasted roughly an hour and twenty minutes, Baraka displayed a level of feistiness and political awareness in his works.He performed several of his poems including Newark, which talks about Baraka’s hometown and the love he has for the city in
its bright and dark time. He named this form of poetry as “Lowku”, a “take off of Haiku, but for the illiterate.” His show was broken into two acts and after performing for forty minutes and taking a fifteen minute break; he came back with some of his most political and up-tempo poems of the evening.“Undirected, misdirected/be unknown to the most except the host,” said Baraka in the poem Funk lore. Baraka also performed Play Dat, which was performed over a fast up-tempo jazz beat. This poem was dedicated to poets John Hicks and Hilton Rueves, who Baraka spent time with before they died. He received a standing ovation. He ended the evening with, “Somebody Blew up America,” which was based on the 9/11 bombings and his interpretation of terror. This poem caused the then Governor at the time Jim McGreevy to tell Baraka he had to apologize because Baraka was the poet laureate of the state. Baraka refused. The practice of naming poet
laureates was ended, which Baraka joked, made him the last poet laureate of New Jersey. Baraka’s electric performance showed the power of words. And the performance by the Howard Wiley Trio was equally as solid as they played tunes from Ornette Coleman, “Kansas City" by Count Basie and several other classical jazz tunes.Earlier in the day, Baraka conducted a book reading and was on a panel discussion with various writers including Cecil Brown, Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta, Jimmy Garrett, Abdul Sabry, Ptah Allah El, Rev. George Murray, and Marvin X who had invited Baraka to the bay area, and others at the Fillmore Heritage Center. His life and legacy was later celebrated at his 75th birthday celebration at the Lush Life Center, which brought back many of the old poets and writers to celebrate his career and writing.“This is bringing back the old Fillmore spirit,” said Marvin X. His event at the Media Center opened with a welcome only Charlie Walker
can deliver. Then the invocation by Suzzette Celeste, picking up on Charlie's plea for black folks to "get involved and do something for self."
Various poets and writers gave a two-minute praise of AB, including Black Dialogue magazine founder Arthur Sheridan, San Francisco poet emeritus devorah major; the mother of Bay Area journalism, Jerri Lange, and other poets. The poet segment was facilated by Ayodele Nzingha, who read a recently penned poem entitled Reasons. Musicians Augusta Collins and Rashidah Mwongozi provided a musical interlude.
After Duke Williams gave the libation, in came a procession of the Linda Johnson African dancers, including Linda, Raynetta Rayzetta and Rashidah, with drummer Val Serrant and another drummer. The dancers praised Amiri Baraka at his feet. Queen Rev. Mutima Imani facilitated a blessing ritual inviting everyone to send Baraka love by saying together, "We honor you and respect you."
The dance segment was too much for event organizer Marvin X who was so moved with emotion he broke into tears of joy and was unable to speak for a moment as he began moderating the panel discussion Black Studies and Community. He called up James W. Sweeney who introduced Baraka with a praise poem.
Baraka talked of his work in black studies, including the time he came to San FranciscoState University to help establish black studies, after an invitation from BSU leader Jimmy Garrent, who spoke on the panel. Rev. George Murray presented his views, stressing his spiritual work in the community after going to jail during the '68 strike. An English instructor, George became minister of education of the Black Panther party. Abdul Sabry, a BSU founder, also editor of Black Dialogue (a key publication of the Black Arts Movement), stressed the Islamic roots of black studies.
Ptah Allah el, a former Black Studies major, coined the time "Black Studies went to college and never came home." He read a poem on that theme, then introduced Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta of the Black Studies department. She tried to explain the good black studies has done the last forty years but encountered static from her fellow panelists who disagreed with her, citing the failure of black studies to create community projects. Bernard Stringer, a BSU and strike leader, had told Marvin X that black studies lasted one year in the community. After than, reaction sat in and has continued to this day. UC Berkeley professor Cecil Brown, author of Hey, Dude, What Happened to My Black Studies Department, spoke on the origin of the student movement in the south with the protests and sit-ins. He told how the student struggle was throughout the Bay Area, California and the nation. He cited the UC Berkeley student strike. Marvin X was himself the target of Gov. Ronald
Reagan’s attack on black intellectuals. The same time Reagan attempted to removed Angela Davis from UCLA, he moved on Marvin X at Fresno State University, 1969.
Marvin X said told the audience this event is just the beginning of dialogue on critical issues in our community. The Jazz Heritage Center director, Peter Fitzsimmons was so elated with the turnout that he told Marvin X he has the green light to plan future events at the Jazz Heritage Center and Lush Life Gallery. Marvin X thanks the following for their support: Paul Cobb, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Walter Riley, Rev. George Murray, Terri Collins, Jimmy Garrett, Christine Harris, Norman Brown, Dr. J Vern Cromartie, Suzzette Celeste, HuNia, Thomas Simpson, Wade Woods, Aubrey Labrie, Duke Williams, Geoffrey Grier, James W. Sweeney, Mutima Imani, Davey D, Eugene Allen, Paradise, Charlie Walker, Khalid Waajib, Emory Douglas, Wanda Sabir, Michael Lange, Duane Deterville, Earl Davis, Ken Johnson, Renee, Leon and Carolyn Teasley.
“Lowku” versus Haiku, revives Fillmore Spirit
By Lee Hubbard and Marvin X
Wearing a black suit with a kente cloth tie, Amiri Baraka, celebrating his 75th birthday, was at ease in the center stage at Yoshi’s jazz club in San Francisco, as the Howard Wiley trio played.The crowd featured a cross section of racially mixed older men and women who remembered the golden days when Baraka was one of the most controversial poets in the country during the 1960’s and 1970’s. It was during this time he was one of the main forces behind the Black Arts Movement, which was a reaffirmation on black culture and aimed to change the cultural and social conditions of African American people. In his performance with the Howard Wiley trio playing background music to go along with his poetry which lasted roughly an hour and twenty minutes, Baraka displayed a level of feistiness and political awareness in his works.He performed several of his poems including Newark, which talks about Baraka’s hometown and the love he has for the city in
its bright and dark time. He named this form of poetry as “Lowku”, a “take off of Haiku, but for the illiterate.” His show was broken into two acts and after performing for forty minutes and taking a fifteen minute break; he came back with some of his most political and up-tempo poems of the evening.“Undirected, misdirected/be unknown to the most except the host,” said Baraka in the poem Funk lore. Baraka also performed Play Dat, which was performed over a fast up-tempo jazz beat. This poem was dedicated to poets John Hicks and Hilton Rueves, who Baraka spent time with before they died. He received a standing ovation. He ended the evening with, “Somebody Blew up America,” which was based on the 9/11 bombings and his interpretation of terror. This poem caused the then Governor at the time Jim McGreevy to tell Baraka he had to apologize because Baraka was the poet laureate of the state. Baraka refused. The practice of naming poet
laureates was ended, which Baraka joked, made him the last poet laureate of New Jersey. Baraka’s electric performance showed the power of words. And the performance by the Howard Wiley Trio was equally as solid as they played tunes from Ornette Coleman, “Kansas City" by Count Basie and several other classical jazz tunes.Earlier in the day, Baraka conducted a book reading and was on a panel discussion with various writers including Cecil Brown, Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta, Jimmy Garrett, Abdul Sabry, Ptah Allah El, Rev. George Murray, and Marvin X who had invited Baraka to the bay area, and others at the Fillmore Heritage Center. His life and legacy was later celebrated at his 75th birthday celebration at the Lush Life Center, which brought back many of the old poets and writers to celebrate his career and writing.“This is bringing back the old Fillmore spirit,” said Marvin X. His event at the Media Center opened with a welcome only Charlie Walker
can deliver. Then the invocation by Suzzette Celeste, picking up on Charlie's plea for black folks to "get involved and do something for self."
Various poets and writers gave a two-minute praise of AB, including Black Dialogue magazine founder Arthur Sheridan, San Francisco poet emeritus devorah major; the mother of Bay Area journalism, Jerri Lange, and other poets. The poet segment was facilated by Ayodele Nzingha, who read a recently penned poem entitled Reasons. Musicians Augusta Collins and Rashidah Mwongozi provided a musical interlude.
After Duke Williams gave the libation, in came a procession of the Linda Johnson African dancers, including Linda, Raynetta Rayzetta and Rashidah, with drummer Val Serrant and another drummer. The dancers praised Amiri Baraka at his feet. Queen Rev. Mutima Imani facilitated a blessing ritual inviting everyone to send Baraka love by saying together, "We honor you and respect you."
The dance segment was too much for event organizer Marvin X who was so moved with emotion he broke into tears of joy and was unable to speak for a moment as he began moderating the panel discussion Black Studies and Community. He called up James W. Sweeney who introduced Baraka with a praise poem.
Baraka talked of his work in black studies, including the time he came to San FranciscoState University to help establish black studies, after an invitation from BSU leader Jimmy Garrent, who spoke on the panel. Rev. George Murray presented his views, stressing his spiritual work in the community after going to jail during the '68 strike. An English instructor, George became minister of education of the Black Panther party. Abdul Sabry, a BSU founder, also editor of Black Dialogue (a key publication of the Black Arts Movement), stressed the Islamic roots of black studies.
Ptah Allah el, a former Black Studies major, coined the time "Black Studies went to college and never came home." He read a poem on that theme, then introduced Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta of the Black Studies department. She tried to explain the good black studies has done the last forty years but encountered static from her fellow panelists who disagreed with her, citing the failure of black studies to create community projects. Bernard Stringer, a BSU and strike leader, had told Marvin X that black studies lasted one year in the community. After than, reaction sat in and has continued to this day. UC Berkeley professor Cecil Brown, author of Hey, Dude, What Happened to My Black Studies Department, spoke on the origin of the student movement in the south with the protests and sit-ins. He told how the student struggle was throughout the Bay Area, California and the nation. He cited the UC Berkeley student strike. Marvin X was himself the target of Gov. Ronald
Reagan’s attack on black intellectuals. The same time Reagan attempted to removed Angela Davis from UCLA, he moved on Marvin X at Fresno State University, 1969.
Marvin X said told the audience this event is just the beginning of dialogue on critical issues in our community. The Jazz Heritage Center director, Peter Fitzsimmons was so elated with the turnout that he told Marvin X he has the green light to plan future events at the Jazz Heritage Center and Lush Life Gallery. Marvin X thanks the following for their support: Paul Cobb, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Walter Riley, Rev. George Murray, Terri Collins, Jimmy Garrett, Christine Harris, Norman Brown, Dr. J Vern Cromartie, Suzzette Celeste, HuNia, Thomas Simpson, Wade Woods, Aubrey Labrie, Duke Williams, Geoffrey Grier, James W. Sweeney, Mutima Imani, Davey D, Eugene Allen, Paradise, Charlie Walker, Khalid Waajib, Emory Douglas, Wanda Sabir, Michael Lange, Duane Deterville, Earl Davis, Ken Johnson, Renee, Leon and Carolyn Teasley.
Marvin X Reads His Eldridge Cleaver memoir: My Friend the Devil
On Saturday, November 21, 8pm
Marvin X reads and discusses
his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver--
My Friend the Devil
intro by Amiri Baraka
Readers include: Ayodele Nzingha, Suzzette Celese, Geoffrey Grier,
Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen, James W. Sweeney, Charlie Walker
Musical accompanient by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance Linda Johnson, Raynetta Raynetta
Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd,
Oakland
call 510-533-6629
donation $10.00
"This is the funniest book of 2009.
The more you know about black
history, the funnier it is.
--Dr. James Garrett
Marvin X is one of America's
great story tellers. Maybe second
only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place
Marvin X ahead of him even.
--Rudolph Lewis, editor, www.nathanielturner.com
Hallelujah! MX is reminiscing, I must say, entertainingly,
about his historic dalliance w/shaitan.
--Amiri Baraka, from intro
Thank you Marvin...get it all out, write it out, dance it out,
cry it out, swear it out, walk it out, work it out, thank you
for sharing. --Tarika Lewis, violinist, activist and first Black Panther female
Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley 94702
510-355-6339
$19.95
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
To book Marvin X at colleges and universities:
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
510-355-6339
Marvin X reads and discusses
his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver--
My Friend the Devil
intro by Amiri Baraka
Readers include: Ayodele Nzingha, Suzzette Celese, Geoffrey Grier,
Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen, James W. Sweeney, Charlie Walker
Musical accompanient by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance Linda Johnson, Raynetta Raynetta
Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd,
Oakland
call 510-533-6629
donation $10.00
"This is the funniest book of 2009.
The more you know about black
history, the funnier it is.
--Dr. James Garrett
Marvin X is one of America's
great story tellers. Maybe second
only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place
Marvin X ahead of him even.
--Rudolph Lewis, editor, www.nathanielturner.com
Hallelujah! MX is reminiscing, I must say, entertainingly,
about his historic dalliance w/shaitan.
--Amiri Baraka, from intro
Thank you Marvin...get it all out, write it out, dance it out,
cry it out, swear it out, walk it out, work it out, thank you
for sharing. --Tarika Lewis, violinist, activist and first Black Panther female
Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley 94702
510-355-6339
$19.95
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
To book Marvin X at colleges and universities:
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
510-355-6339
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thanks!
From: Marvin X
To: Paul Cobb, Conway Jones, Maxine Ussery, Jack Naidu, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Ken Johnson, Kamau Amen-Ra, Khalid Waajib, Rev. George Murray, Walter Riley, Jimmy Garrett, Abdul Sabry,Aubrey Labrie, James W. Sweeney, Charlie Walker, Renee, Suzzette Celeste, Ayodele Nzingha, HuNia, Arthur Sheridan, Terry Collins, Oba T'shaka, Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta, Christine Harris, Cecil Brown,Linda Johnson, Augusta Collins, Rashidah Mwongozi, Val Serrant, Raynetta Rayzetta, Mutima Imani, Peter Fitzsimmons, Delores, Jerri Lange, Michael Lange, devorah major, jahahara, Cecil Brown, Eugene Allen, Ptah Allah El, Duke Williams, J Vern Cromartie, Zahieb Mwongozi, Charles Blackwell, Geoffrey Grier, Shukuru, Phil Hutchins, Wanda Sabir, Safi, Paradise, devorah major, thomas Simpson, Jahahara, Carolyn and Leon Teasley
Re: Thanks
Dear Friend,
We deeply appreciate your support and participation in helping the Bay Area Writers, Artist, and Activists celebrate the 75th Birthday of Amiri Baraka. Thank you for attending because your presence and spirit helped to make this a most memorable event. In the future we ask that you continue to share your energy with us and support events sponsored by Blacks Arts West, and The Bay Area Writers, Artists, and Activist Coalition.
Peace and Love,
Marvin X
Next Event
On Saturday, November 21, 8pm
Marvin X reads and discusses
his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver--
My Friend the Devil
intro by Amiri Baraka
Readers include: Ayodele Nzingha, Suzzette Celese, Geoffrey Grier, Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen
Musical accompanient by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance Linda Johnson, Raynetta Raynetta
Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd,
Oakland
call 510-533-6629
donation $10.00
"This is the funniest book of 2009.
The more you know about black
history, the funnier it is.
--Dr. James Garrett
Marvin X is one of America's
great story tellers. Maybe second
only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place
Marvin X ahead of him even.
--Rudolph Lewis, editor, www.nathanielturner.com
Hallelujah! MX is reminiscing, I must say, entertaningly,
about his historic dalliance w/shaitan.
--Amiri Baraka, from intro
Thank you Marvin...get it all out, write it out, dance it out,
cry it out, swear it out, walk it out, work it out, thank you
for sharing. --Tarika Lewis, violinist, activist and first Black Panther female
To: Paul Cobb, Conway Jones, Maxine Ussery, Jack Naidu, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Ken Johnson, Kamau Amen-Ra, Khalid Waajib, Rev. George Murray, Walter Riley, Jimmy Garrett, Abdul Sabry,Aubrey Labrie, James W. Sweeney, Charlie Walker, Renee, Suzzette Celeste, Ayodele Nzingha, HuNia, Arthur Sheridan, Terry Collins, Oba T'shaka, Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta, Christine Harris, Cecil Brown,Linda Johnson, Augusta Collins, Rashidah Mwongozi, Val Serrant, Raynetta Rayzetta, Mutima Imani, Peter Fitzsimmons, Delores, Jerri Lange, Michael Lange, devorah major, jahahara, Cecil Brown, Eugene Allen, Ptah Allah El, Duke Williams, J Vern Cromartie, Zahieb Mwongozi, Charles Blackwell, Geoffrey Grier, Shukuru, Phil Hutchins, Wanda Sabir, Safi, Paradise, devorah major, thomas Simpson, Jahahara, Carolyn and Leon Teasley
Re: Thanks
Dear Friend,
We deeply appreciate your support and participation in helping the Bay Area Writers, Artist, and Activists celebrate the 75th Birthday of Amiri Baraka. Thank you for attending because your presence and spirit helped to make this a most memorable event. In the future we ask that you continue to share your energy with us and support events sponsored by Blacks Arts West, and The Bay Area Writers, Artists, and Activist Coalition.
Peace and Love,
Marvin X
Next Event
On Saturday, November 21, 8pm
Marvin X reads and discusses
his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver--
My Friend the Devil
intro by Amiri Baraka
Readers include: Ayodele Nzingha, Suzzette Celese, Geoffrey Grier, Ptah Allah El, Eugene Allen
Musical accompanient by Rashidah Mwongozi
Dance Linda Johnson, Raynetta Raynetta
Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd,
Oakland
call 510-533-6629
donation $10.00
"This is the funniest book of 2009.
The more you know about black
history, the funnier it is.
--Dr. James Garrett
Marvin X is one of America's
great story tellers. Maybe second
only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place
Marvin X ahead of him even.
--Rudolph Lewis, editor, www.nathanielturner.com
Hallelujah! MX is reminiscing, I must say, entertaningly,
about his historic dalliance w/shaitan.
--Amiri Baraka, from intro
Thank you Marvin...get it all out, write it out, dance it out,
cry it out, swear it out, walk it out, work it out, thank you
for sharing. --Tarika Lewis, violinist, activist and first Black Panther female
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Staff of Baraka Celebration at Jazz Heritage Center
Earl Davis, trumpet player and longtime associate of Marvin X when he played at the Black Arts West/Theatre (circa 1966, along with Dewey Redman, Oliver Johnson, Rafeal Garrett, Monte Waters, BJ, et al) will serve as music director for the Amiri Baraka celebration at the Jazz Heritage Center. Earl also played with Sun Ra, one of the cofounders of the Black Arts Theatre in Harlem. Sun Ra also worked with Marvin X on the west coast at his Black Educational Theatre on O'farrel between Fillmore and Webster.
Earl will coordinate the musicians for the musical/dance interlude. He will perform during the reception at Lush Life Gallery. Please give him respect as an elder and legend in his own right.
Linda Johnson will serve as dance director for the processional. She will work with Rayetta Rayzetta, Rashidah Mwongozi, drummers Kele Nitoto and Val Serrant and additional dancers
Ayodele Nzingha will be stage manager and co-facilitator of the words of praise segment, co-facilitator is Arthur Sheridan.
Geoffrey Grier will assist Ayo on the stage.
Hunia and Marvin X will serve as MCs.
Ptah Allah El will coordinate the video production team that consists of Adam Turner, Ken Johnson, Khalid Waajib, and photographers Kamau Amen-Ra and Gene Hazzard.
Black Dialogue Brothers will head security (Abdul Sabry, Aubry Labrie, Duke Williams, Arthur Sheridan, Saadat Ahmed, Marvin X)
Earl will coordinate the musicians for the musical/dance interlude. He will perform during the reception at Lush Life Gallery. Please give him respect as an elder and legend in his own right.
Linda Johnson will serve as dance director for the processional. She will work with Rayetta Rayzetta, Rashidah Mwongozi, drummers Kele Nitoto and Val Serrant and additional dancers
Ayodele Nzingha will be stage manager and co-facilitator of the words of praise segment, co-facilitator is Arthur Sheridan.
Geoffrey Grier will assist Ayo on the stage.
Hunia and Marvin X will serve as MCs.
Ptah Allah El will coordinate the video production team that consists of Adam Turner, Ken Johnson, Khalid Waajib, and photographers Kamau Amen-Ra and Gene Hazzard.
Black Dialogue Brothers will head security (Abdul Sabry, Aubry Labrie, Duke Williams, Arthur Sheridan, Saadat Ahmed, Marvin X)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Fort Hood: When the Doctor Goes Crazy
Fort Hood: When the Doctor Goes Crazy
Maj. Malik Hasan was a mental health worker who refused to return to the battle field. What did he know and when did he know it that caused him to unleash such terror upon his comrades? The irony is that it makes us wonder if the doctor was this sick, what might be the condition of his patients? Imagine, if they are sicker than he then we have a problem of an extreme degree. We know the post traumatic stress syndrome of soldiers returning from war--had Dr. Hasan seen too much stress in his patients, to the degree he would rather kill them than see them return to the battlefield, himself included?
These are questions we must ask ourselves, since these are our sons and daughters going off to war. We know America has no business in Muslim lands--nothing can come of their presence no matter how long they remain. The war in Iraq appears to be winding down but in my mind the war has not started because the ultimate war shall be between the Sunnis and Shia who have a date with destiny and America can only delay the day of judgment between two sects that have been at war since the death of Prophet Muhammad.
To delay the rise of Shia Islam and its expansion to the Mediterranean at the urging of the corrupt, oppressive Sunni regimes in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf States and Israel, the Americans will prolong their departure until they have diluted Shia majority rule in Iraq, and in the process check Iran, a brother Shia nation.
With its presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, America sinks deeper into the lands of people who clearly have no fear of death and worship it like a thirsty man craves water. So we should expect more suicides and homicides among the American military as they continue encountering Muslim death angels. The Christian soldiers will eventually depart the Muslim lands as they did during the Crusades, even if it takes one hundred years. For sure, the Muslims will never stop fighting until they depart. Meanwhile, we shall continue seeing the mental deterioration of US troops who have no mission other than to escape poverty and ignorance by becoming mercenaries for the capitalist war machine who profits greatly from supplying the tools of war made by corporations headed by retired military men and women.
--Marvin X
Marvin X (El Muhajir) is the father of Muslim American literature and a cofounder of the Black Arts Movement. Some of his notable books include Fly to Allah (a seminal work in Muslim American literature), Woman-Man's Best Friend, Love and War, Wish I Could Tell You The Truth, In the Crazy House Called America, Land of My Daughters, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality, How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, Eldridge Cleaver: My Friend the Devil, the Mythology of Pussy, the Wisdom of Plato Negro: A Hustler's Guide to the Game Called Life.
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
Maj. Malik Hasan was a mental health worker who refused to return to the battle field. What did he know and when did he know it that caused him to unleash such terror upon his comrades? The irony is that it makes us wonder if the doctor was this sick, what might be the condition of his patients? Imagine, if they are sicker than he then we have a problem of an extreme degree. We know the post traumatic stress syndrome of soldiers returning from war--had Dr. Hasan seen too much stress in his patients, to the degree he would rather kill them than see them return to the battlefield, himself included?
These are questions we must ask ourselves, since these are our sons and daughters going off to war. We know America has no business in Muslim lands--nothing can come of their presence no matter how long they remain. The war in Iraq appears to be winding down but in my mind the war has not started because the ultimate war shall be between the Sunnis and Shia who have a date with destiny and America can only delay the day of judgment between two sects that have been at war since the death of Prophet Muhammad.
To delay the rise of Shia Islam and its expansion to the Mediterranean at the urging of the corrupt, oppressive Sunni regimes in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf States and Israel, the Americans will prolong their departure until they have diluted Shia majority rule in Iraq, and in the process check Iran, a brother Shia nation.
With its presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, America sinks deeper into the lands of people who clearly have no fear of death and worship it like a thirsty man craves water. So we should expect more suicides and homicides among the American military as they continue encountering Muslim death angels. The Christian soldiers will eventually depart the Muslim lands as they did during the Crusades, even if it takes one hundred years. For sure, the Muslims will never stop fighting until they depart. Meanwhile, we shall continue seeing the mental deterioration of US troops who have no mission other than to escape poverty and ignorance by becoming mercenaries for the capitalist war machine who profits greatly from supplying the tools of war made by corporations headed by retired military men and women.
--Marvin X
Marvin X (El Muhajir) is the father of Muslim American literature and a cofounder of the Black Arts Movement. Some of his notable books include Fly to Allah (a seminal work in Muslim American literature), Woman-Man's Best Friend, Love and War, Wish I Could Tell You The Truth, In the Crazy House Called America, Land of My Daughters, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality, How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, Eldridge Cleaver: My Friend the Devil, the Mythology of Pussy, the Wisdom of Plato Negro: A Hustler's Guide to the Game Called Life.
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
Black Arts West Celebrates Amiri Baraka
Program for Amiri Baraka Celebration at the Jazz Heritage Center
November 9, 2009, 3-7PM
Jazz Heritage Media Center (1330 Fillmore), San Francisco
Musical/Dance Interlude
Augusta Collins, Rashidah Mwongozi, Phavia Khujichagulia,Tarika Lewis,
Linda Johnson Dancers, Raynetta Rayzetta, Earl Davis, Val Serrant, Kele Nitoto
Welcome Charlie Walker
Invocation Suzzette Celeste
Libations Mutima Imani
Words of Praise (2 min. max) Bay Area Writers
Facilitators: Art Sheridan, Ayodele Nzingha
Confirmed Particpants for Amiri Baraka Celebration
devorah major
Jahahara
Wade "Speedy" Woods
Jerri Lange
Michael Lange
Dr. Oba'Tshaka
Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta
Norman Brown
Aubrey Labrie
Abdul Sabry
Tarika Lewis
Augusta Collins
Linda Johnson
Raynetta Rayzetta
Val Serrant
Rashidah Mwongozi
Kele Nitoto
James Sweeney
Mutima Imani
Suzzette Celeste
Earl Davis
Charlie Walker
Adam Turner
Ken Johnson
Gene Hazzard
Arthur Sheridan
Duke Williams
Walter Riley
Rev. George Murray
Cecil Brown
Dr. James Garrett
Terry Collins
Christine Harris
Kamau Amen-Ra
Phavia Kujichagulia
Paradise
Ptah Allah El
Elliott Bey
Paul Cobb
Leon Teasley
Thomas Simpson
Avotcja
HuNia
Saadat Ahmed
Timothy Reed
Pat Brown
Shukuru
Billy X Jennings
Emory Douglas
Wanda Sabir
Introduction of Amiri Baraka by James Sweeney
Amiri Baraka
“Black Studies Went to College and Never Came Home!”—Ptah Allah El
Panel Discussion on Black Studies and Community
Amiri Baraka, Abdul Sabry, Mary Lewis, Rev. George Murray, Ptah Allah El,
Cecil Brown, Dorothy Tsuruta, Jimmy Garrett
Moderator: Marvin X
Q and A
Reception at Lush Life Gallery (1320 Fillmore)
Organizers, Supporters, Sponsors:
Post Newspaper Group (Paul Cobb, Jack Naidu, Conway Jones, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Maxine Ussery), Jazz Heritage Center/Lush Life Gallery (Peter Fitzgerald), Black Dialogue Brothers (Aubrey Labrie, Abdul Sabry, Duke Williams, Saadat Ahmed, Al Young, Marvin X), Black Bird Press, San Francisco Recovery Theatre (Geoffrey Grier), Lower Bottom Playaz (Ayodele Nzingha), Dr. J. Vern Cromartie, James W. Sweeney, KPOO radio (Terry Collins, JJ), Afro-Solo (Thomas Simpson), Charlie Walker, August Collins, Khalid Waajib, Kamau Amenra, Kenneth Johnson, Paradise, Phavia, Raynetta Rayzetta,Ptah Allah el, Elliott Bey, Tony, Eugene Allen, Hunia, Rehema Ba, Walter Riley, Leon Teasley.
A Marvin X Production
November 9, 2009, 3-7PM
Jazz Heritage Media Center (1330 Fillmore), San Francisco
Musical/Dance Interlude
Augusta Collins, Rashidah Mwongozi, Phavia Khujichagulia,Tarika Lewis,
Linda Johnson Dancers, Raynetta Rayzetta, Earl Davis, Val Serrant, Kele Nitoto
Welcome Charlie Walker
Invocation Suzzette Celeste
Libations Mutima Imani
Words of Praise (2 min. max) Bay Area Writers
Facilitators: Art Sheridan, Ayodele Nzingha
Confirmed Particpants for Amiri Baraka Celebration
devorah major
Jahahara
Wade "Speedy" Woods
Jerri Lange
Michael Lange
Dr. Oba'Tshaka
Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta
Norman Brown
Aubrey Labrie
Abdul Sabry
Tarika Lewis
Augusta Collins
Linda Johnson
Raynetta Rayzetta
Val Serrant
Rashidah Mwongozi
Kele Nitoto
James Sweeney
Mutima Imani
Suzzette Celeste
Earl Davis
Charlie Walker
Adam Turner
Ken Johnson
Gene Hazzard
Arthur Sheridan
Duke Williams
Walter Riley
Rev. George Murray
Cecil Brown
Dr. James Garrett
Terry Collins
Christine Harris
Kamau Amen-Ra
Phavia Kujichagulia
Paradise
Ptah Allah El
Elliott Bey
Paul Cobb
Leon Teasley
Thomas Simpson
Avotcja
HuNia
Saadat Ahmed
Timothy Reed
Pat Brown
Shukuru
Billy X Jennings
Emory Douglas
Wanda Sabir
Introduction of Amiri Baraka by James Sweeney
Amiri Baraka
“Black Studies Went to College and Never Came Home!”—Ptah Allah El
Panel Discussion on Black Studies and Community
Amiri Baraka, Abdul Sabry, Mary Lewis, Rev. George Murray, Ptah Allah El,
Cecil Brown, Dorothy Tsuruta, Jimmy Garrett
Moderator: Marvin X
Q and A
Reception at Lush Life Gallery (1320 Fillmore)
Organizers, Supporters, Sponsors:
Post Newspaper Group (Paul Cobb, Jack Naidu, Conway Jones, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Maxine Ussery), Jazz Heritage Center/Lush Life Gallery (Peter Fitzgerald), Black Dialogue Brothers (Aubrey Labrie, Abdul Sabry, Duke Williams, Saadat Ahmed, Al Young, Marvin X), Black Bird Press, San Francisco Recovery Theatre (Geoffrey Grier), Lower Bottom Playaz (Ayodele Nzingha), Dr. J. Vern Cromartie, James W. Sweeney, KPOO radio (Terry Collins, JJ), Afro-Solo (Thomas Simpson), Charlie Walker, August Collins, Khalid Waajib, Kamau Amenra, Kenneth Johnson, Paradise, Phavia, Raynetta Rayzetta,Ptah Allah el, Elliott Bey, Tony, Eugene Allen, Hunia, Rehema Ba, Walter Riley, Leon Teasley.
A Marvin X Production
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Reasons
Reasons
by
Ayodele Nzingha
I got reasons
Reasons for war
Reasons for inner peace
Reasons
for my reasoning
it ain't random
you can put it on the margin
call it fringe
it’s a matter of the matter
ya condition is in
or the paradigm ya
lens is in
if its crazy to be sane
then
you know
how a double
consciousness go
walking and wounded
wounded still walking
behind the veil
seeing
I got my reasons
reasons
why I flaunt my nappy hair
still think in Ebonics
fluent in my overstanding of
the lens in ya literacy
and i still be me
got my reasons
why I don't care bout
ya reasons
season after season
it looks the same
it ain't geography that's
easy to see
its beyond the lie of race
it’s not nuanced in class
(I pray ya the last of a dying
breed) cuz I
can't explain the greed
what kind of fear
prompts that kind of need
but I see it
and I reason
I don't matter
so I stay brave
enough to smell rain coming
get my news from the dead
eat well
sleep on clean sheets
and wear oils of lavender and frankincense
while I can
I reason time belongs to God
and you are
not
God
you got ya reasons
I guess to be confused
manipulating thangs
the way you do
what's a lie told
over and over
its the truth
broadcast it and
make it divine
but season
after season
I resist the
change necessary
to see through your
eyes
I got my reasons
with this target
on my back
I lack the motivation
to see how you reason
your rationales
decide ya bottom lines
devise ya acceptable collateral
damage tolerance
i got little tolerance
for ignorance
and reasons
not to trust you
done studied you thru Tuskegee
and the subways
don't trust you on the airways
seen you thru the haze
covering the hi ways
as you follow the oil pipe ways
seen you
my eyes were open
(heard you plotting death
and everyone's destruction)
my ears were open
(God don't forgive em
they don't care what
dem do)
feel you wining
when i am quiet
so I got reasons
to scream
i got reasons
to sleep eyes open
I got reasons
not to forget you
jailer keys jangling from the
belt below your fat belly
I remember them dumb
(its true you eat your young)
big ass eco foot prints
yes and ships
planes
bombs
weapons of mass destruction
and doctrine
manifesting ya reasons
to suit ya actions
I got reasons to
fear your secret thoughts
and your out loud lies
got reasons
to hit ya with the stank eye
while keeping my good eye on you
got reasons
to say ju ju when you pass
spit in the road and burn herbs
where are the souls that
should show though the eyes
I fear the reality
behind your disguise
I got reasons
to pray to old Gods
got reasons to
read more than the gospel
(yeah though I live in
in Babylon where idiots do
get they babble on)
got reasons to
teach my young to
beware merry go rounds
and lies about shiny things
that you pay for with ya soul
teaching em to remember
no matter how it hurts
to know the truth
instructing them to
ward off evil
by working
hex the devil
by dreaming
saying to them
write poems
don't kill one another
even lyrically
love the old
protect the young
sharpen intellects
to sword points
to make my point
got reasons
to keep reasoning
with the tone deaf choir
(more fire aya)
until its
too late
for reason
reasoning or
reasons.
by
Ayodele Nzingha
I got reasons
Reasons for war
Reasons for inner peace
Reasons
for my reasoning
it ain't random
you can put it on the margin
call it fringe
it’s a matter of the matter
ya condition is in
or the paradigm ya
lens is in
if its crazy to be sane
then
you know
how a double
consciousness go
walking and wounded
wounded still walking
behind the veil
seeing
I got my reasons
reasons
why I flaunt my nappy hair
still think in Ebonics
fluent in my overstanding of
the lens in ya literacy
and i still be me
got my reasons
why I don't care bout
ya reasons
season after season
it looks the same
it ain't geography that's
easy to see
its beyond the lie of race
it’s not nuanced in class
(I pray ya the last of a dying
breed) cuz I
can't explain the greed
what kind of fear
prompts that kind of need
but I see it
and I reason
I don't matter
so I stay brave
enough to smell rain coming
get my news from the dead
eat well
sleep on clean sheets
and wear oils of lavender and frankincense
while I can
I reason time belongs to God
and you are
not
God
you got ya reasons
I guess to be confused
manipulating thangs
the way you do
what's a lie told
over and over
its the truth
broadcast it and
make it divine
but season
after season
I resist the
change necessary
to see through your
eyes
I got my reasons
with this target
on my back
I lack the motivation
to see how you reason
your rationales
decide ya bottom lines
devise ya acceptable collateral
damage tolerance
i got little tolerance
for ignorance
and reasons
not to trust you
done studied you thru Tuskegee
and the subways
don't trust you on the airways
seen you thru the haze
covering the hi ways
as you follow the oil pipe ways
seen you
my eyes were open
(heard you plotting death
and everyone's destruction)
my ears were open
(God don't forgive em
they don't care what
dem do)
feel you wining
when i am quiet
so I got reasons
to scream
i got reasons
to sleep eyes open
I got reasons
not to forget you
jailer keys jangling from the
belt below your fat belly
I remember them dumb
(its true you eat your young)
big ass eco foot prints
yes and ships
planes
bombs
weapons of mass destruction
and doctrine
manifesting ya reasons
to suit ya actions
I got reasons to
fear your secret thoughts
and your out loud lies
got reasons
to hit ya with the stank eye
while keeping my good eye on you
got reasons
to say ju ju when you pass
spit in the road and burn herbs
where are the souls that
should show though the eyes
I fear the reality
behind your disguise
I got reasons
to pray to old Gods
got reasons to
read more than the gospel
(yeah though I live in
in Babylon where idiots do
get they babble on)
got reasons to
teach my young to
beware merry go rounds
and lies about shiny things
that you pay for with ya soul
teaching em to remember
no matter how it hurts
to know the truth
instructing them to
ward off evil
by working
hex the devil
by dreaming
saying to them
write poems
don't kill one another
even lyrically
love the old
protect the young
sharpen intellects
to sword points
to make my point
got reasons
to keep reasoning
with the tone deaf choir
(more fire aya)
until its
too late
for reason
reasoning or
reasons.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Rape and Mythology
Rape and Mythology
The recent rape of the young lady at Richmond High School reveals the urgency of my monograph The Mythology of Pussy. Yes, the title may be abhorrent and offensive to many, but the content is essential manhood and womanhood training that speaks directly to how youth can become socialized beyond the patriarchal mythology that is totally dysfunctional in the global village—a socialization that breeds animal and savage behavior in men and often women who are taught values of domination, ownership,violence, emotional and verbal abuse.
Rape is the ultimate expression of the patriarchal or male dominated society wherein the female has no value other than as a sexual animal that must serve men at every turn, willingly or unwillingly. So how can we be shocked when we know this society was founded upon rape, kidnapping, murder—the total exploitation of human beings. America is the place where women had their bellies cut open and lynched along with men during our enslavement.
Even as we speak, America is raping, torturing, murdering and exploiting poor people around the world, from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan. She is endorsing such behavior throughout the Americas, in Mexico, Guatemala, and Columbia. All for the profit motive, for the glories of capitalism.
Yet, little Johnny is supposed to behave peacefully in the hood—he is supposed to act civilized in spite of his poverty, ignorance and disease. His ghetto life is the culture of violence—and it is merely a reflection of the larger society of violence—violence in the news, movies, books, sports, and yes, sex. America cannot tell little Johnny not to rape when she goes around the world raping!
But we cannot only blame America because such animal behavior is worldwide—even as I write, women, men and children are being raped in the Congo, Sudan and South Africa.
They were raped in the Balkans, Iraq and all wars throughout history. Women are called “the spoils of war” or “booty.” Every soldier knows women are the prize they get for killing “the enemy.”
The youth in Richmond were acting out the same behavior we did as teenagers when I grew up in Fresno. As teenagers, my friends used to gang rape every Sunday at the show—every Sunday girls were taken behind the movie screen while we sat eating popcorn and watched the white man kill Indians—and in our ignorance, some of us cheered the slaughter of the Native Americans, even while many of us had Native American blood in our veins. And if the girls were not gang raped behind the screen, they were raped on the train yard as we crossed the tracks going home to the projects. We called gang rape “pulling a train” on the girl. The boys lined up to wait their turn—just as in the Richmond case, nobody said stop, this is wrong, this is criminal, this is somebody’s sister. This was our culture, thus normal behavior. If you didn’t engage in this behavior you were considered a “punk.”
Gang rape was thus part of expressing manhood—it was the only mythology we knew. Violence was not only toward women, but toward other men as well. We went to the show to fight Mexicans because few whites came to our theatre—we wanted to fight the whites but the Mexicans were a reasonable facsimile. We went to the dance and concerts to fight Mexicans and brothers from “the country,” since we considered ourselves “city nigguhs.” Yes, we were city nigguhs who picked cotton, cut grapes and pitched watermelons almost as much as the so-called country nigguhs.
Violence against woman and men will not end until we deconstruct the mythology of the patriarchal or male dominated culture globally—rape is happening worldwide—it is an epidemic in South Africa. Even before the Richmond incident, a brother told me how the young women are raped in hotel rooms downtown Oakland. He pointed out to me the girls walking pass my outdoor classroom at 14th and Broadway—he said all of them have been given drugs in drinks and then raped.
As long as the mythology of world culture (including the religions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, African traditional religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, et al) promotes the domination of women, rape shall the ultimate expression. As long as men are taught women are chattel or personal property, rape will persist, along with domestic and partner violence, verbal and emotional violence.
We must understand rape has nothing to do with sex—rape is an act of violence! It is an expression of power, control, authority, domination. Religion perpetuates such violence by promoting male authority and ownership. The religious community must be prepared to make radical and revolutionary changes in its theology, mythology and ritual. It must rid its theology of women as chattel or personal property of men. We are descendants of slaves, yet our relationships are the embodiment of slavery with the resulting partner violence, verbal and emotional abuse.
The sad truth is that the religious community or leadership cannot advocate changing traditional values because to do so would decrease the power of leadership, a leadership that is often guilty of the same said violence, rape, domination and exploitation of females—and often males!
The only solution is radical and revolutionary manhood and womanhood rites of passage, wherein young men and women evolve to see themselves as spiritual beings in human form. I will end with a quote from a poem by Phavia Kujichagulia, “If you think I am just a physical thing, wait til you see the spiritual power I bring.”
I encourage the reader to obtain a copy of my Mythology of Pussy: A Manual for Manhood and Womanhood Rites of Passage. Go to www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com.
I just returned from a national tour promoting this monograph—I dropped seeds in Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Newark, NJ, and Harlem, NY. It is indeed sad to return home to the Bay Area and learn of the incident in Richmond. We must stand up from animal to divine—from bestiality to spirituality—there is no other way! –Marvin X
The recent rape of the young lady at Richmond High School reveals the urgency of my monograph The Mythology of Pussy. Yes, the title may be abhorrent and offensive to many, but the content is essential manhood and womanhood training that speaks directly to how youth can become socialized beyond the patriarchal mythology that is totally dysfunctional in the global village—a socialization that breeds animal and savage behavior in men and often women who are taught values of domination, ownership,violence, emotional and verbal abuse.
Rape is the ultimate expression of the patriarchal or male dominated society wherein the female has no value other than as a sexual animal that must serve men at every turn, willingly or unwillingly. So how can we be shocked when we know this society was founded upon rape, kidnapping, murder—the total exploitation of human beings. America is the place where women had their bellies cut open and lynched along with men during our enslavement.
Even as we speak, America is raping, torturing, murdering and exploiting poor people around the world, from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan. She is endorsing such behavior throughout the Americas, in Mexico, Guatemala, and Columbia. All for the profit motive, for the glories of capitalism.
Yet, little Johnny is supposed to behave peacefully in the hood—he is supposed to act civilized in spite of his poverty, ignorance and disease. His ghetto life is the culture of violence—and it is merely a reflection of the larger society of violence—violence in the news, movies, books, sports, and yes, sex. America cannot tell little Johnny not to rape when she goes around the world raping!
But we cannot only blame America because such animal behavior is worldwide—even as I write, women, men and children are being raped in the Congo, Sudan and South Africa.
They were raped in the Balkans, Iraq and all wars throughout history. Women are called “the spoils of war” or “booty.” Every soldier knows women are the prize they get for killing “the enemy.”
The youth in Richmond were acting out the same behavior we did as teenagers when I grew up in Fresno. As teenagers, my friends used to gang rape every Sunday at the show—every Sunday girls were taken behind the movie screen while we sat eating popcorn and watched the white man kill Indians—and in our ignorance, some of us cheered the slaughter of the Native Americans, even while many of us had Native American blood in our veins. And if the girls were not gang raped behind the screen, they were raped on the train yard as we crossed the tracks going home to the projects. We called gang rape “pulling a train” on the girl. The boys lined up to wait their turn—just as in the Richmond case, nobody said stop, this is wrong, this is criminal, this is somebody’s sister. This was our culture, thus normal behavior. If you didn’t engage in this behavior you were considered a “punk.”
Gang rape was thus part of expressing manhood—it was the only mythology we knew. Violence was not only toward women, but toward other men as well. We went to the show to fight Mexicans because few whites came to our theatre—we wanted to fight the whites but the Mexicans were a reasonable facsimile. We went to the dance and concerts to fight Mexicans and brothers from “the country,” since we considered ourselves “city nigguhs.” Yes, we were city nigguhs who picked cotton, cut grapes and pitched watermelons almost as much as the so-called country nigguhs.
Violence against woman and men will not end until we deconstruct the mythology of the patriarchal or male dominated culture globally—rape is happening worldwide—it is an epidemic in South Africa. Even before the Richmond incident, a brother told me how the young women are raped in hotel rooms downtown Oakland. He pointed out to me the girls walking pass my outdoor classroom at 14th and Broadway—he said all of them have been given drugs in drinks and then raped.
As long as the mythology of world culture (including the religions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, African traditional religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, et al) promotes the domination of women, rape shall the ultimate expression. As long as men are taught women are chattel or personal property, rape will persist, along with domestic and partner violence, verbal and emotional violence.
We must understand rape has nothing to do with sex—rape is an act of violence! It is an expression of power, control, authority, domination. Religion perpetuates such violence by promoting male authority and ownership. The religious community must be prepared to make radical and revolutionary changes in its theology, mythology and ritual. It must rid its theology of women as chattel or personal property of men. We are descendants of slaves, yet our relationships are the embodiment of slavery with the resulting partner violence, verbal and emotional abuse.
The sad truth is that the religious community or leadership cannot advocate changing traditional values because to do so would decrease the power of leadership, a leadership that is often guilty of the same said violence, rape, domination and exploitation of females—and often males!
The only solution is radical and revolutionary manhood and womanhood rites of passage, wherein young men and women evolve to see themselves as spiritual beings in human form. I will end with a quote from a poem by Phavia Kujichagulia, “If you think I am just a physical thing, wait til you see the spiritual power I bring.”
I encourage the reader to obtain a copy of my Mythology of Pussy: A Manual for Manhood and Womanhood Rites of Passage. Go to www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com.
I just returned from a national tour promoting this monograph—I dropped seeds in Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Newark, NJ, and Harlem, NY. It is indeed sad to return home to the Bay Area and learn of the incident in Richmond. We must stand up from animal to divine—from bestiality to spirituality—there is no other way! –Marvin X
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Program for Amiri Baraka Celebration at Jazz Heritage Center, SF
Program for Amiri Baraka Celebration at the Jazz Heritage Center
November 9, 2009, 3-7PM
Jazz Heritage Media Center (1330 Fillmore), San Francisco
Musical Interlude
Augusta Collins, Rashidah Mwongozi, Phavia Khujichagulia
Welcome Charlie Walker
Invocation Suzzette Celeste
Libations Mutima Imani
Words of Praise (2 min. max) Bay Area Writers
Facilitators: Art Sheridan, Ayodele Nzingha
Invited Writers:
Angela Davis
Al Young
Art Sheridan
Conyus
Devorah major
Opal Palmer Adisa
Paul Cobb
Bobby Seale
Emory Douglas
Charlie Walker
Geoffrey Grier
Wanda Sabir
Cecil Williams
Janice Miritani
Naru
Cecil Brown
Jerri Lange
Michael Lange
Avotcja Jiltonilro
Andriette Earl
Tarika Lewis
Dr. Julia Hare
Dr. Nathan Hare
Duane Deterville
Adam David Miller
Peter Labrie
Dorothy Tsuruta
Oba T'Shaka
Wade Nobles
Chinaka Hodge
Roxanne Hanna-Ware
Paradise
Introduction of Amiri Baraka by James Sweeney
Amiri Baraka
Panel Discussion on Black Studies and Community
“Black Studies Went to College and Never Came Home!”—Ptah Allah El
Amiri Baraka, Abdul Sabry, Mary Lewis, Rev. George Murray, Ptah Allah El,
Cecil Brown
Moderator: Marvin X
Q and A
Reception at Lush Life Gallery (1320 Fillmore)
Organizers, Supporters, Sponsors:
Post Newspaper Group (Paul Cobb, Jack Naidu, Conway Jones, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Maxine Ussery), Jazz Heritage Center/Lush Life Gallery (Peter Fitzgerald), Black Dialogue Brothers (Aubrey Labrie, Abdul Sabry, Duke Williams, Saadat Ahmed, Al Young, Marvin X), Black Bird Press, San Francisco Recovery Theatre (Geoffrey Grier), Lower Bottom Playaz (Ayodele Nzingha), Dr. J. Vern Cromartie, James W. Sweeney, KPOO radio (Terry Collins, JJ), Afro-Solo (Thomas Simpson), Charlie Walker, August Collins, Khalid Waajib, Kamau Amenra, Kenneth Johnson, Paradise, Phavia, Raynetta Rayzetta,Ptah Allah el, Elliott Bey, Tony, Eugene Allen, Hunia, Rehema Ba.
November 9, 2009, 3-7PM
Jazz Heritage Media Center (1330 Fillmore), San Francisco
Musical Interlude
Augusta Collins, Rashidah Mwongozi, Phavia Khujichagulia
Welcome Charlie Walker
Invocation Suzzette Celeste
Libations Mutima Imani
Words of Praise (2 min. max) Bay Area Writers
Facilitators: Art Sheridan, Ayodele Nzingha
Invited Writers:
Angela Davis
Al Young
Art Sheridan
Conyus
Devorah major
Opal Palmer Adisa
Paul Cobb
Bobby Seale
Emory Douglas
Charlie Walker
Geoffrey Grier
Wanda Sabir
Cecil Williams
Janice Miritani
Naru
Cecil Brown
Jerri Lange
Michael Lange
Avotcja Jiltonilro
Andriette Earl
Tarika Lewis
Dr. Julia Hare
Dr. Nathan Hare
Duane Deterville
Adam David Miller
Peter Labrie
Dorothy Tsuruta
Oba T'Shaka
Wade Nobles
Chinaka Hodge
Roxanne Hanna-Ware
Paradise
Introduction of Amiri Baraka by James Sweeney
Amiri Baraka
Panel Discussion on Black Studies and Community
“Black Studies Went to College and Never Came Home!”—Ptah Allah El
Amiri Baraka, Abdul Sabry, Mary Lewis, Rev. George Murray, Ptah Allah El,
Cecil Brown
Moderator: Marvin X
Q and A
Reception at Lush Life Gallery (1320 Fillmore)
Organizers, Supporters, Sponsors:
Post Newspaper Group (Paul Cobb, Jack Naidu, Conway Jones, Gene Hazzard, Adam Turner, Maxine Ussery), Jazz Heritage Center/Lush Life Gallery (Peter Fitzgerald), Black Dialogue Brothers (Aubrey Labrie, Abdul Sabry, Duke Williams, Saadat Ahmed, Al Young, Marvin X), Black Bird Press, San Francisco Recovery Theatre (Geoffrey Grier), Lower Bottom Playaz (Ayodele Nzingha), Dr. J. Vern Cromartie, James W. Sweeney, KPOO radio (Terry Collins, JJ), Afro-Solo (Thomas Simpson), Charlie Walker, August Collins, Khalid Waajib, Kamau Amenra, Kenneth Johnson, Paradise, Phavia, Raynetta Rayzetta,Ptah Allah el, Elliott Bey, Tony, Eugene Allen, Hunia, Rehema Ba.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Marvin X and Fresno State University, Forty Years Later
From: Ali
To: jmarvinx@yahoo. com
Sent: Sun, October 25, 2009 12:14:45 PM
Subject: Concerned CSU, Fresno Student!
Dear Mr. Marvin X,
I am a current Fresno State student. You should know that we had one of the largest protests on campus last Wednesday, October 21 in opposition of the unfair treatment of students at the hands of administration. Over 600 students marched in solidarity! Among the many problems we are facing is the risk of loosing many if not all ethnic and gender studies programs at Fresno State. Since you played a critical role in bringing ethnic studies to our campus, we thought you should know. In this time of academic crisis on our campus students need all the allies we can find.
You should also know that our protest forced President Welty to meet with students on November 3, 2009 to negotiate a list of demands put forth by students. This negotiation meeting will take place at the Peace Garden on campus. We would really like you to visit our campus sometime very soon.
I look forward to your reply!
Sincerely,
~Ali Espinoza
Reply by Marvin X to Ali
I would be honored to visit your campus ASAP. Tell your president Welty to bring Marvin X on campus and honor him for fighting for justice at FSU. In fact, fighting for justice for Fresno. Retired police sargeant Jack Kelly, founder of the Afro-American Museum, says, "When Marvin X fought to teach at FSU in 1969, he made things better for all of us, not just students. Black police couldn't patrol the white neighborhoods until he fought at FSU." Tell the president my fee is five grand plus fare and lodging. This is partial compensation for setting me up for assassination on the orders of Gov. Ronald Reagan, "Get that nigger off campus by any means necessary."
Peace,
Marvin X
To: jmarvinx@yahoo. com
Sent: Sun, October 25, 2009 12:14:45 PM
Subject: Concerned CSU, Fresno Student!
Dear Mr. Marvin X,
I am a current Fresno State student. You should know that we had one of the largest protests on campus last Wednesday, October 21 in opposition of the unfair treatment of students at the hands of administration. Over 600 students marched in solidarity! Among the many problems we are facing is the risk of loosing many if not all ethnic and gender studies programs at Fresno State. Since you played a critical role in bringing ethnic studies to our campus, we thought you should know. In this time of academic crisis on our campus students need all the allies we can find.
You should also know that our protest forced President Welty to meet with students on November 3, 2009 to negotiate a list of demands put forth by students. This negotiation meeting will take place at the Peace Garden on campus. We would really like you to visit our campus sometime very soon.
I look forward to your reply!
Sincerely,
~Ali Espinoza
Reply by Marvin X to Ali
I would be honored to visit your campus ASAP. Tell your president Welty to bring Marvin X on campus and honor him for fighting for justice at FSU. In fact, fighting for justice for Fresno. Retired police sargeant Jack Kelly, founder of the Afro-American Museum, says, "When Marvin X fought to teach at FSU in 1969, he made things better for all of us, not just students. Black police couldn't patrol the white neighborhoods until he fought at FSU." Tell the president my fee is five grand plus fare and lodging. This is partial compensation for setting me up for assassination on the orders of Gov. Ronald Reagan, "Get that nigger off campus by any means necessary."
Peace,
Marvin X
Black Panthers Celebrate Bobby Seale's 73rd Birthday at Laney College
Today, Saturday, November 24, surviving members of the Black Panther Party gathered at Oakland's Laney College to celebrate the legacy of the BPP and co-founder Bobby Seale's 73rd birthday. The Laney College forum was filled with elder Panthers, social activists, students and youth, seeking the meaning of the legendary Black Panther Party that shook up Oakland, America and the world. Panther leaders included Bobby Seale, Emory Douglas, Big Man Howard, Melvin Dixson, Rev. Dixon, Frank Vellum, and others. Activists present were Yuri Kochiyama, Greg Morozumi, Ann Williams, Wanda Sabir, Refa 1, Clarence Thomas et al.
Bobby Seale was the keynote speaker and he gave a detailed history of the BPP, but letting the people know it was the rank and file who did the hard work, the many brothers and sisters history has forgotten or never knew who gave their sweat, blood and tears, indeed, their very lives in the cause of black liberation from American oppression.
In a conversation with a Laney College BSU member, Marvin X called for BPP elders and other senior activists to form the Elder's Council to address community issues, especially problems of street and partner violence. Why not set up an 800 number that people can call to for conflict resolution, rather than call 911 or resort to senseless violence. Let the elders meet to reconcile the matter. Youth should be able to call upon the Elder's Council for advice and wisdom. Elder Terry Collins noted that every elder should be assigned five youth to mentor and they should accompany elders in their daily round.
If elders made their presence felt on the street it would cause a decrease in violence, but too many elders are afraid of their own children so they say nothing for fear youth will disrespect them. We must cast away our fears and help our children. A youth passed me at my outdoor classroom downtown Oakland. His pants were sagging and I started to say something to him, but he apparently read my mind because before I could say anything he pulled up his pants and continued down the street. Sometimes it only takes a thought!
It was good to see Bobby Seale's mind is sharp as ever and his memory is impeccable.
We thank Billy X Jennings of It’s About Time and Melvin Dixon of the Commemorator for organizing the two day event.
--Marvin X
Today, Saturday, November 24, surviving members of the Black Panther Party gathered at Oakland's Laney College to celebrate the legacy of the BPP and co-founder Bobby Seale's 73rd birthday. The Laney College forum was filled with elder Panthers, social activists, students and youth, seeking the meaning of the legendary Black Panther Party that shook up Oakland, America and the world. Panther leaders included Bobby Seale, Emory Douglas, Big Man Howard, Melvin Dixson, Rev. Dixon, Frank Vellum, and others. Activists present were Yuri Kochiyama, Greg Morozumi, Ann Williams, Wanda Sabir, Refa 1, Clarence Thomas et al.
Bobby Seale was the keynote speaker and he gave a detailed history of the BPP, but letting the people know it was the rank and file who did the hard work, the many brothers and sisters history has forgotten or never knew who gave their sweat, blood and tears, indeed, their very lives in the cause of black liberation from American oppression.
In a conversation with a Laney College BSU member, Marvin X called for BPP elders and other senior activists to form the Elder's Council to address community issues, especially problems of street and partner violence. Why not set up an 800 number that people can call to for conflict resolution, rather than call 911 or resort to senseless violence. Let the elders meet to reconcile the matter. Youth should be able to call upon the Elder's Council for advice and wisdom. Elder Terry Collins noted that every elder should be assigned five youth to mentor and they should accompany elders in their daily round.
If elders made their presence felt on the street it would cause a decrease in violence, but too many elders are afraid of their own children so they say nothing for fear youth will disrespect them. We must cast away our fears and help our children. A youth passed me at my outdoor classroom downtown Oakland. His pants were sagging and I started to say something to him, but he apparently read my mind because before I could say anything he pulled up his pants and continued down the street. Sometimes it only takes a thought!
It was good to see Bobby Seale's mind is sharp as ever and his memory is impeccable.
We thank Billy X Jennings of It’s About Time and Melvin Dixon of the Commemorator for organizing the two day event.
--Marvin X
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Soulbook Editor Makes Transition
Mamadu Lumumba (Ken Freeman) was among the students at Oakland's Merritt College who came into black consciousness and sparked the black liberation movement in northern California during the early 1960s. He was a classmate of Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Ernie Allen, Carol Freeman (his wife), Ann Williams, Richard Thorne, Isacc Moore, Sunni Shabazz, Marvin X and others who gathered on the steps of Merritt College, then located on Grove Street in the Oakland flatlands. Like most of the others, Ken was a member of Donald Warden's Afro-American Association, a black nationalist organization. He became the west coast editor of Soulbook, one of the major radical publications of the radical 1960s. Soulbook was associated with RAM or the Revolutionary Action Movement, spearheaded by Robert F. Williams and Max Stanford (Muhammad Ahmed). Ken also started the first Black Panther organization in the Bay.
For Mamadu Lumumba (Kenny Freeman)
Old warriors
go home to the sun
each day
we get the news
no longer shocking
we wipe our eyes
go about our work
it is lonely at the top
who can we visit
who can we call
have a drink at the bar
rap on the corner
smoke a joint
even women friends
join the sun
there is no escape
for anyone
only the line
to the sun.
--Marvin X
10.21.09
For Mamadu Lumumba (Kenny Freeman)
Old warriors
go home to the sun
each day
we get the news
no longer shocking
we wipe our eyes
go about our work
it is lonely at the top
who can we visit
who can we call
have a drink at the bar
rap on the corner
smoke a joint
even women friends
join the sun
there is no escape
for anyone
only the line
to the sun.
--Marvin X
10.21.09
Friday, October 16, 2009
Open Mike and Panel Discussion at Baraka 75 Celebration
Lush Life Gallery, 1320 Fillmore St., San Francisco
Monday, November 9, 3-7pm
Open Mike for Amiri Baraka75
There will be an open mike for writers/poets to express their love for
Amiri Baraka--two minute max! Open mike will follow 3pm photo shoot.
Invited writers include:
Al Young
Art Sheridan
Angela Davis
Bobby Seale
Emory Douglas
Tarika Lewis
Cecil Williams
Jan Mirikitani
Reginal Major
devorah major
Opal Palmer Adisa
Paradise
Ptah Allah El
Wanda Sabir
Cecil Brown
Ishmael Reed
Avotcja
Peter Labrie
Oba T'Shaka
Dr. Wade Nobles
Dr. Julia Hare
David Hilliard
Mayor Willie Brown
Charlie Walker
Alice Walker
Jerri Lange
Dr. Lige Dailey
Khalid Abdullah Tariq Al Mansur
Ula Taylor
Deborah Day
Duke Williams
Aubrey Labrie
Rashidah Mwongozi
Geoffrey Grier
Ayodele Nzingha
Tureeda MIkal
Jerri Lange
Michael Lange
Phavia Khujichagulia
Reginal James
Panel Discussion: Black Studies 40 Years Later—A Dialogue on
the Past and Future
Date: Monday, November 9
Time: 4pm
Place: Gallery, adjacent Yoshi's San Francisco
Invited speaker: Dr. Nathan Hare
Invited Panelists: Mar’yam Wadai, Angela Davis, Dhamera Ahmed, Bobby
Seale, Amiri Baraka, Abdul Sabry
Moderator: Marvin X
This discussion will be followed by a reception/celebration of Amiri
Baraka's 75th birthday. All Bay Area writers, artists, activists are invited to a photo shoot at
3pm.
Calling All Bay Area Writers: Let’s Salute Amiri Baraka on His 75th
Birthday
Marvin X, West Coast co-founder of the Black Arts Movement, is calling
upon all Bay Area writers and artists to celebrate the 75th birthday of
Amiri Baraka (aka LeRoi Jones), co-founder of Black Arts Movement, the
most radical literary and artistic movement in American history. Through
the creativity, energy of such writers as Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki
Giovanni, Ed Bullins, Askia Toure, Larry Neal, the Last Poets, Haki
Madhubuti, Woody King, Ron Milner, June Jordan, Avotcja Jiltonilro,
Marvin X and others, the Black Arts Movement was established nationwide.
This movement or BAM was inspired by the writings and organizing of
Amiri Baraka and co-workers, working in tandem with the black power or
black liberation movement to raise the cultural and political
consciousness of North American Africans.
The East coast celebrated and honored Amiri Baraka for his leadership in
BAM. Now it is time for the West coast to show its love for our greatest
living poet, playwright, essayist, musicologist and political organizer.
We are calling together all writers and artists to honor and celebrate
Baraka’s 75th birthday when he arrives in the Bay Area on November 6.
Marvin X is organizing a special event for writers on Monday, November
9, 4-7pm, sponsored by the Post Newspaper Group, Black Dialogue
Brothers, KPOO radio, and Charlie Walker. Lush Life Gallery, 1320 Fillmore St.,San Francisco, next door to Yoshi's. Call 510-355-6339 for
information.
BAY:
Sat 7 Nov 7pm EastSide Cultural Center : reading/panel on Black music;
an exhibit & birthday party
Sun 8 Nov 1pm SF Public Library: A talk on Obama
Sun 8 Nov 7pm Black New World: reading/ video
Mon 9 Nov 3-7pm Bay Area Black Writers Celebrate Baraka's 75th at the Lush Life
Gallery, 1320 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, next to Yoshi's
Call Marvin X if you want to be listed as a participant:510-355-6339
Mon 9 Nov 8pm AB performs w/Howard Wiley Trio at Yoshi's SF
LA:
Wed 11 Nov Esowan Books: book party, Leimert Park
Thu 12 Nov 730pm Beyond Baroque, Venice
Fri 13 Nov 830pm Still Waters Lounge/Dream Center, Carson
Sat 14 Nov 7pm Echo Club, Sunset Blvd Echo Park
Monday, November 9, 3-7pm
Open Mike for Amiri Baraka75
There will be an open mike for writers/poets to express their love for
Amiri Baraka--two minute max! Open mike will follow 3pm photo shoot.
Invited writers include:
Al Young
Art Sheridan
Angela Davis
Bobby Seale
Emory Douglas
Tarika Lewis
Cecil Williams
Jan Mirikitani
Reginal Major
devorah major
Opal Palmer Adisa
Paradise
Ptah Allah El
Wanda Sabir
Cecil Brown
Ishmael Reed
Avotcja
Peter Labrie
Oba T'Shaka
Dr. Wade Nobles
Dr. Julia Hare
David Hilliard
Mayor Willie Brown
Charlie Walker
Alice Walker
Jerri Lange
Dr. Lige Dailey
Khalid Abdullah Tariq Al Mansur
Ula Taylor
Deborah Day
Duke Williams
Aubrey Labrie
Rashidah Mwongozi
Geoffrey Grier
Ayodele Nzingha
Tureeda MIkal
Jerri Lange
Michael Lange
Phavia Khujichagulia
Reginal James
Panel Discussion: Black Studies 40 Years Later—A Dialogue on
the Past and Future
Date: Monday, November 9
Time: 4pm
Place: Gallery, adjacent Yoshi's San Francisco
Invited speaker: Dr. Nathan Hare
Invited Panelists: Mar’yam Wadai, Angela Davis, Dhamera Ahmed, Bobby
Seale, Amiri Baraka, Abdul Sabry
Moderator: Marvin X
This discussion will be followed by a reception/celebration of Amiri
Baraka's 75th birthday. All Bay Area writers, artists, activists are invited to a photo shoot at
3pm.
Calling All Bay Area Writers: Let’s Salute Amiri Baraka on His 75th
Birthday
Marvin X, West Coast co-founder of the Black Arts Movement, is calling
upon all Bay Area writers and artists to celebrate the 75th birthday of
Amiri Baraka (aka LeRoi Jones), co-founder of Black Arts Movement, the
most radical literary and artistic movement in American history. Through
the creativity, energy of such writers as Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki
Giovanni, Ed Bullins, Askia Toure, Larry Neal, the Last Poets, Haki
Madhubuti, Woody King, Ron Milner, June Jordan, Avotcja Jiltonilro,
Marvin X and others, the Black Arts Movement was established nationwide.
This movement or BAM was inspired by the writings and organizing of
Amiri Baraka and co-workers, working in tandem with the black power or
black liberation movement to raise the cultural and political
consciousness of North American Africans.
The East coast celebrated and honored Amiri Baraka for his leadership in
BAM. Now it is time for the West coast to show its love for our greatest
living poet, playwright, essayist, musicologist and political organizer.
We are calling together all writers and artists to honor and celebrate
Baraka’s 75th birthday when he arrives in the Bay Area on November 6.
Marvin X is organizing a special event for writers on Monday, November
9, 4-7pm, sponsored by the Post Newspaper Group, Black Dialogue
Brothers, KPOO radio, and Charlie Walker. Lush Life Gallery, 1320 Fillmore St.,San Francisco, next door to Yoshi's. Call 510-355-6339 for
information.
BAY:
Sat 7 Nov 7pm EastSide Cultural Center : reading/panel on Black music;
an exhibit & birthday party
Sun 8 Nov 1pm SF Public Library: A talk on Obama
Sun 8 Nov 7pm Black New World: reading/ video
Mon 9 Nov 3-7pm Bay Area Black Writers Celebrate Baraka's 75th at the Lush Life
Gallery, 1320 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, next to Yoshi's
Call Marvin X if you want to be listed as a participant:510-355-6339
Mon 9 Nov 8pm AB performs w/Howard Wiley Trio at Yoshi's SF
LA:
Wed 11 Nov Esowan Books: book party, Leimert Park
Thu 12 Nov 730pm Beyond Baroque, Venice
Fri 13 Nov 830pm Still Waters Lounge/Dream Center, Carson
Sat 14 Nov 7pm Echo Club, Sunset Blvd Echo Park
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Comment from the Philly Locs Conference
From: Kenyalyn M. Makone-Anunda
To: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, October 5, 2009 10:59:14 AM
Subject: Feedback: Locs Conference October 3-4, 2009
Dear Marvinx,
It is not often that I write commentaries but you asked for some feedback.
You will not remember me because so many people must have come by your table. However, the title of your book dis-stablized me so much so that I returned on Sunday - drove all the way from Delaware to purchase the $5 mythology series. I strive not to use graphic language in my speech so it is jarring to see it in text. I strive to avoid most graphic communicative language as much as possible, so I was surprised to find myself intrigued and captivated by the boldness of the title. It was awkward experience to visit your table. Perhaps because I am researching female circumcision in Africa which was a rite of passage ritual for me at age 9.
We are a people coming to the truth too late. We have taught each other that one can only stand guard over their own soul and that we are unable to be our communities keeper . I speak to my daughter and two sons about the choices available to them today. I tell my children that they have absolute freedom of choice to do whatever action they desire. But I also tell them that what they do not have is the freedom to chose the consequences of those choices whether deliberate or unintentional. The laws of the universe; the laws of nature; and also the laws of society determine the consequences of our choices. I tell them the truth not so much that they will change the world but that they can protect, guard and armor themselves. Ultimately, we are all individually responsible for whatever choices we make.
Slavery and its aftermath did not happen in a vacuum. In Africa, Africans sold Africans into slavery; colonialism was only able to flourish because African chiefdoms worked against themselves and each other (then and now); its African women who accept and engage in polygamy (then and now); its African women who circumcise the girl child (then and now); it’s a black women beauty industry that mutilate ’s African hair (then and now); and the list could go on…... It’s not that I am without hope but it’s a lonely place to be when one can see past the rhetoric. Traumatized and broken we are a people coming to the truth too late. In many, many areas of our lives the “horse has already left the barn.”
Perhaps there should be a Mythology Eight that attempts to address what could be done after the horse has left the barn…..?
Kenya
Kenyalyn Makone-Anunda
Assistant Director
Institute of Global Management Studies/CIBER
Temple University - Fox School of Business
506 Alter Hall 1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
T: (215) 204-3671
F: (215) 204-1662
E: kmakone.anunda@temple.edu
www.fox.temple.edu/ciber
To: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, October 5, 2009 10:59:14 AM
Subject: Feedback: Locs Conference October 3-4, 2009
Dear Marvinx,
It is not often that I write commentaries but you asked for some feedback.
You will not remember me because so many people must have come by your table. However, the title of your book dis-stablized me so much so that I returned on Sunday - drove all the way from Delaware to purchase the $5 mythology series. I strive not to use graphic language in my speech so it is jarring to see it in text. I strive to avoid most graphic communicative language as much as possible, so I was surprised to find myself intrigued and captivated by the boldness of the title. It was awkward experience to visit your table. Perhaps because I am researching female circumcision in Africa which was a rite of passage ritual for me at age 9.
We are a people coming to the truth too late. We have taught each other that one can only stand guard over their own soul and that we are unable to be our communities keeper . I speak to my daughter and two sons about the choices available to them today. I tell my children that they have absolute freedom of choice to do whatever action they desire. But I also tell them that what they do not have is the freedom to chose the consequences of those choices whether deliberate or unintentional. The laws of the universe; the laws of nature; and also the laws of society determine the consequences of our choices. I tell them the truth not so much that they will change the world but that they can protect, guard and armor themselves. Ultimately, we are all individually responsible for whatever choices we make.
Slavery and its aftermath did not happen in a vacuum. In Africa, Africans sold Africans into slavery; colonialism was only able to flourish because African chiefdoms worked against themselves and each other (then and now); its African women who accept and engage in polygamy (then and now); its African women who circumcise the girl child (then and now); it’s a black women beauty industry that mutilate ’s African hair (then and now); and the list could go on…... It’s not that I am without hope but it’s a lonely place to be when one can see past the rhetoric. Traumatized and broken we are a people coming to the truth too late. In many, many areas of our lives the “horse has already left the barn.”
Perhaps there should be a Mythology Eight that attempts to address what could be done after the horse has left the barn…..?
Kenya
Kenyalyn Makone-Anunda
Assistant Director
Institute of Global Management Studies/CIBER
Temple University - Fox School of Business
506 Alter Hall 1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
T: (215) 204-3671
F: (215) 204-1662
E: kmakone.anunda@temple.edu
www.fox.temple.edu/ciber
Comment from the Philly Locs Conference
From: Kenyalyn M. Makone-Anunda
To: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, October 5, 2009 10:59:14 AM
Subject: Feedback: Locs Conference October 3-4, 2009
Dear Marvinx,
It is not often that I write commentaries but you asked for some feedback.
You will not remember me because so many people must have come by your table. However, the title of your book dis-stablized me so much so that I returned on Sunday - drove all the way from Delaware to purchase the $5 mythology series. I strive not to use graphic language in my speech so it is jarring to see it in text. I strive to avoid most graphic communicative language as much as possible, so I was surprised to find myself intrigued and captivated by the boldness of the title. It was awkward experience to visit your table. Perhaps because I am researching female circumcision in Africa which was a rite of passage ritual for me at age 9.
We are a people coming to the truth too late. We have taught each other that one can only stand guard over their own soul and that we are unable to be our communities keeper . I speak to my daughter and two sons about the choices available to them today. I tell my children that they have absolute freedom of choice to do whatever action they desire. But I also tell them that what they do not have is the freedom to chose the consequences of those choices whether deliberate or unintentional. The laws of the universe; the laws of nature; and also the laws of society determine the consequences of our choices. I tell them the truth not so much that they will change the world but that they can protect, guard and armor themselves. Ultimately, we are all individually responsible for whatever choices we make.
Slavery and its aftermath did not happen in a vacuum. In Africa, Africans sold Africans into slavery; colonialism was only able to flourish because African chiefdoms worked against themselves and each other (then and now); its African women who accept and engage in polygamy (then and now); its African women who circumcise the girl child (then and now); it’s a black women beauty industry that mutilate ’s African hair (then and now); and the list could go on…... It’s not that I am without hope but it’s a lonely place to be when one can see past the rhetoric. Traumatized and broken we are a people coming to the truth too late. In many, many areas of our lives the “horse has already left the barn.”
Perhaps there should be a Mythology Eight that attempts to address what could be done after the horse has left the barn…..?
Kenya
Kenyalyn Makone-Anunda
Assistant Director
Institute of Global Management Studies/CIBER
Temple University - Fox School of Business
506 Alter Hall 1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
T: (215) 204-3671
F: (215) 204-1662
E: kmakone.anunda@temple.edu
www.fox.temple.edu/ciber
To: jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, October 5, 2009 10:59:14 AM
Subject: Feedback: Locs Conference October 3-4, 2009
Dear Marvinx,
It is not often that I write commentaries but you asked for some feedback.
You will not remember me because so many people must have come by your table. However, the title of your book dis-stablized me so much so that I returned on Sunday - drove all the way from Delaware to purchase the $5 mythology series. I strive not to use graphic language in my speech so it is jarring to see it in text. I strive to avoid most graphic communicative language as much as possible, so I was surprised to find myself intrigued and captivated by the boldness of the title. It was awkward experience to visit your table. Perhaps because I am researching female circumcision in Africa which was a rite of passage ritual for me at age 9.
We are a people coming to the truth too late. We have taught each other that one can only stand guard over their own soul and that we are unable to be our communities keeper . I speak to my daughter and two sons about the choices available to them today. I tell my children that they have absolute freedom of choice to do whatever action they desire. But I also tell them that what they do not have is the freedom to chose the consequences of those choices whether deliberate or unintentional. The laws of the universe; the laws of nature; and also the laws of society determine the consequences of our choices. I tell them the truth not so much that they will change the world but that they can protect, guard and armor themselves. Ultimately, we are all individually responsible for whatever choices we make.
Slavery and its aftermath did not happen in a vacuum. In Africa, Africans sold Africans into slavery; colonialism was only able to flourish because African chiefdoms worked against themselves and each other (then and now); its African women who accept and engage in polygamy (then and now); its African women who circumcise the girl child (then and now); it’s a black women beauty industry that mutilate ’s African hair (then and now); and the list could go on…... It’s not that I am without hope but it’s a lonely place to be when one can see past the rhetoric. Traumatized and broken we are a people coming to the truth too late. In many, many areas of our lives the “horse has already left the barn.”
Perhaps there should be a Mythology Eight that attempts to address what could be done after the horse has left the barn…..?
Kenya
Kenyalyn Makone-Anunda
Assistant Director
Institute of Global Management Studies/CIBER
Temple University - Fox School of Business
506 Alter Hall 1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
T: (215) 204-3671
F: (215) 204-1662
E: kmakone.anunda@temple.edu
www.fox.temple.edu/ciber
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