Black Arts/Black Studies 27 City Tour

At the recent Black Studies 40 Yeas Later Conference at Temple University, May 1-3, 2009, one of the resolutions that passed unanimously and with applause, came out of Culture Workshop, directed by Sonia Sanchez, Askia Toure and Marvin X. The resolution proposed a 27 city tour of the the founders of the Black Arts Movement and Radical Black Studies that revolutionized the academic curriculum in America. The tour would be a teach-in to help heal the forty years of reaction and backwardness that has occurred in the arts and black studies coast of coast. It would be an intergenerational tour with a manhood and womanhood rites of passage that would pass the baton from the elders to the next generation of arts/scholars/activitists. Elder scholars, artists and activists would be paired in workshops and panels to enlighten the new generation of youth seeking conscous knowledge. Artists and scholars would pass knowlege in free discussions with youth and conscious-knowledge seeking adults. We recognize we have scholars in the community who lack degreess from the white man but are wise men and women who must be heard and will be heard. Furthermore, we want this tour to be about the people, let the people speak and be heard, not just the wise eldrers and special youth who have been blessed. Let the people speak who have never had an opportunity. This must be stressed.Partial list of artists/scholars/activists: Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, Askia Toure, Marvin X, Nikki Giovanni, Haki Mahdubuti, Sister Souljah, Kevin Powell, Greg Carr, Ptah Allah El, Davey D, Muhammida El Muhajir, Dr. Julia Hare, Dr. Nathan Hare, Ras Baraka,Ayodele Nzingha, Danna Randall, Nisa Ra, Pam Africa, Dr. John Bracey, Muhammad Ahmed, Jimmy Garrett, Last Poets, Mos Def,Common, India Iree, Dead Prez, Snoop Dog, Fillmore Slim, Mabel Williams. Contact: Marvin X for more information or sponsorship. Budget for 27 City Tour, $3 million dollars at $100,000 per city plus misc. costs.510-355-6339, jmarvinx@yahoo.com.