Comments for for those of us who believe healing is possible, WE SPEAK! http://communityspeak.wordpress.com join us 9/15-9/18 for our fall residency in Greensboro, NC www.myspace.com/righteousaim Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:44:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Perry Brown http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-33 Perry Brown Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:44:33 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-33 In response to Question #3, I have two communities (home in New york, and here in Greensboro) that I would describe completely different from the other. In New york, my community is defined as a place that nurtures success. It is somewhat of a nest for all generations to feel safe and comfortable while being able to learn and grown from the experiences of others, no matter the age difference. Everyone felt as if he/she had a place, role, or responsibility that could be of benefits to another. However, the community that I am a part of here in Greensboro is defined as a place that enhances the laws of competition. A place where you're pride is more valuable than any lesson you could possibly instill within another beings life. Why? I have the slightest idea. Now, the bigger question is, "what is the difference between the two communities?" And the sad answer is, my community in New York is at least, 90% Caucasian while my community here in NC is the complete opposite. What does that say about African Americans? Possibly, that we aren't as unified as we would like to believe. In this day in age, a change is needed. But who's going to initiate the change if the community doesn't support the vision? In response to Question #3, I have two communities (home in New york, and here in Greensboro) that I would describe completely different from the other.
In New york, my community is defined as a place that nurtures success. It is somewhat of a nest for all generations to feel safe and comfortable while being able to learn and grown from the experiences of others, no matter the age difference. Everyone felt as if he/she had a place, role, or responsibility that could be of benefits to another.
However, the community that I am a part of here in Greensboro is defined as a place that enhances the laws of competition. A place where you’re pride is more valuable than any lesson you could possibly instill within another beings life. Why? I have the slightest idea.
Now, the bigger question is, “what is the difference between the two communities?” And the sad answer is, my community in New York is at least, 90% Caucasian while my community here in NC is the complete opposite.
What does that say about African Americans? Possibly, that we aren’t as unified as we would like to believe.
In this day in age, a change is needed. But who’s going to initiate the change if the community doesn’t support the vision?

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Cynthia Williams http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-32 Cynthia Williams Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:52:36 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-32 This is in response to Dr. Ahmad’s question. How can your words, as poets/performers, be of use to members of your own communities? Are you serious? YO, THIS IS SERIOUS MAN!! The world and its grave concerns Sorrow and depression darkening the days of happiness A little joy speckling the night’s sky All in all it’s beautiful How do you recognize good days with out bad ones? What’s politically correct when right is a point of view? So where does “seriousness” begin To a 5 year old needing a pink crayon but only getting a standard set is a serious issue Though to you it may be cute; to me it’s hilarious But on the flip side genocide in Darfur carries more weight or at least it does in an adult mind state The severity of “seriousness” varies from person to person and that’s what makes the human race amazing Diversity is the key, the spectrum through which we see and are seen So what’s urgent to him may be minor to them Yet in the same context “seriousness” is collectively defined What do I mean when I say that this is serious business? Ask me and see that answer I come up with Because even in the most playful of minds lies a person with a valid point to make Don’t make the mistake of judging a problem through a narrow scope Open your mind and be susceptive to what ever seriousness is presented to you This is in response to Dr. Ahmad’s question. How can your words, as poets/performers, be of use to members of your own communities?

Are you serious?

YO, THIS IS SERIOUS MAN!!
The world and its grave concerns
Sorrow and depression darkening the days of happiness
A little joy speckling the night’s sky
All in all it’s beautiful
How do you recognize good days with out bad ones?
What’s politically correct when right is a point of view?
So where does “seriousness” begin
To a 5 year old needing a pink crayon but only getting a standard set is a serious issue
Though to you it may be cute; to me it’s hilarious
But on the flip side genocide in Darfur carries more weight or at least it does in an adult mind state
The severity of “seriousness” varies from person to person and that’s what makes the human race amazing
Diversity is the key, the spectrum through which we see and are seen
So what’s urgent to him may be minor to them
Yet in the same context “seriousness” is collectively defined
What do I mean when I say that this is serious business?
Ask me and see that answer I come up with
Because even in the most playful of minds lies a person with a valid point to make
Don’t make the mistake of judging a problem through a narrow scope
Open your mind and be susceptive to what ever seriousness is presented to you

]]> Comment on Students and Participant Responses by Lauren L. Smith http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/students-and-participant-responses/#comment-31 Lauren L. Smith Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:38:51 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?page_id=61#comment-31 My comment is in response to Michael Lee's poem Yes We Speak. There are many of times we may say things and feel like our talking is all in vain. Its not that what we are saying is going in vain its just that we seem to hear only what we want to hear. Even then we have the tendency to interpret words however we feel they should be. When speaking we have to be careful because a lot of times what we do not realize is that our words turn in to actions which allows others to hear by seeing. I personally feel it is okay for us to speak but we must choose our words wisely and keep an open mind to others speaking around us. My comment is in response to Michael Lee’s poem Yes We Speak. There are many of times we may say things and feel like our talking is all in vain. Its not that what we are saying is going in vain its just that we seem to hear only what we want to hear. Even then we have the tendency to interpret words however we feel they should be. When speaking we have to be careful because a lot of times what we do not realize is that our words turn in to actions which allows others to hear by seeing. I personally feel it is okay for us to speak but we must choose our words wisely and keep an open mind to others speaking around us.

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Cynthia Williams http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-30 Cynthia Williams Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:29:37 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-30 This is in response to the question that said what the job of black poets and performers. I personally feel that our job is to express things as we see them, nothing mor and nothing less. Census Hello this is a survey are you willing to participate. Yes Please answer the questions as honestly as possible What’s your name? Cynthia Williams Where are you from? Raleigh, NC What’s your ethnicity and sex? African American Female Now who are you? I just told you my name I didn’t ask you your name I asked you who you were Ok I’m a poet Still not the answer I’m looking for who are you I’m a black poet Listen closely and think carefully before you answer this time who are you I am Eve’s daughter, Lucy’s descendant My mother’s daughter and my grandmother’s baby I am the bust made from the mold of feminism And painted the rich hue of warm caramel I am a combination of my ancestors cross breeding I am the miracle of God’s creation I am who I choose to be, I am that preverbal blackness A mixture of everything known to man I am the Great American Melting pot A little bit of this a little bit of that I am a watcher, a recorder I snap images and tape scenes of life I use my pen constantly painting pictures of how things accrue to me and artistically regurgitate culture I am a story teller, a griotee A history keeper of my time I am limitless and undefined Through my expression I am invincible and immortal Who am I, I am who I am Next question! This is in response to the question that said what the job of black poets and performers. I personally feel that our job is to express things as we see them, nothing mor and nothing less.

Census

Hello this is a survey are you willing to participate.
Yes
Please answer the questions as honestly as possible
What’s your name?
Cynthia Williams
Where are you from?
Raleigh, NC
What’s your ethnicity and sex?
African American Female
Now who are you?
I just told you my name
I didn’t ask you your name I asked you who you were
Ok I’m a poet
Still not the answer I’m looking for who are you
I’m a black poet
Listen closely and think carefully before you answer this time who are you
I am Eve’s daughter, Lucy’s descendant
My mother’s daughter and my grandmother’s baby
I am the bust made from the mold of feminism
And painted the rich hue of warm caramel
I am a combination of my ancestors cross breeding
I am the miracle of God’s creation
I am who I choose to be, I am that preverbal blackness
A mixture of everything known to man
I am the Great American Melting pot
A little bit of this a little bit of that
I am a watcher, a recorder
I snap images and tape scenes of life
I use my pen constantly painting pictures of how things accrue to me and artistically regurgitate culture
I am a story teller, a griotee
A history keeper of my time
I am limitless and undefined
Through my expression I am invincible and immortal
Who am I, I am who I am
Next question!

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Christen Adair http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-29 Christen Adair Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:08:36 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-29 The responsibility of the black poet to his or her community is to voice truth. It is a terrible thing that the negatives are highlighted and praised in the media. Stop writing about drugs, sex and violence. Start writing about creating a movement of power and esteem. Free your mind and your soul to voice truth about poverty and racism of all forms. Embrace one another and be open to all kinds of differences. This world needs african american poets that will uplift and empower the community. If you want to tell a love story, write about the love you have for your community. If you want to write about drugs...write about a new prescription, anti-drug that will heal and set free. If you want to talk about violence, let's talk about how violence is NOT the way to solve problems. If ALL poets put forth the work and effort to voice truth the people will listen and perform in such a way as the black poet speaks. The responsibility of the black poet to his or her community is to voice truth. It is a terrible thing that the negatives are highlighted and praised in the media. Stop writing about drugs, sex and violence. Start writing about creating a movement of power and esteem. Free your mind and your soul to voice truth about poverty and racism of all forms. Embrace one another and be open to all kinds of differences. This world needs african american poets that will uplift and empower the community. If you want to tell a love story, write about the love you have for your community. If you want to write about drugs…write about a new prescription, anti-drug that will heal and set free. If you want to talk about violence, let’s talk about how violence is NOT the way to solve problems. If ALL poets put forth the work and effort to voice truth the people will listen and perform in such a way as the black poet speaks.

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Christen Adair http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-28 Christen Adair Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:02:25 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-28 Good Question When will we speak? The idea of such a question The audacity "Let us speak", but what's the point if no one's listening? What's the point of uttering a word if you won't hear me? What's the purpose of making noise if it doesn't make a sound? We live in a time that would rather speak tomorrow then tell the truth right now. When will we speak for the voiceless you ask? Good Question…you tell me. How about the day that the voiceless consists of those born mute, respectively? The Voiceless Is Me And the voiceless is you. The government seems to have all the answers, ask them… They'll know what to do. It's as if those that did not die physically Perished mentally Stuck in this medium like life after death, Missing loved ones and family. The voiceless is we. Until we decide to speak up For injustice and the war, the day were fed up. Will be the day we call tomorrow Then slowly turn to yesterday Because we failed to speak up and forgot what to say. The weight of speaking must be a ton… Because we so choose to hold our tongue. Instead of speaking truth that will liberate We fill our silence with loss and hate. Our youth will remain hopeless unable to seek us Because our voices remain hidden And we've yet to speak up. Good Question

When will we speak?
The idea of such a question
The audacity
“Let us speak”, but what’s the point if no one’s listening?
What’s the point of uttering a word if you won’t hear me?
What’s the purpose of making noise if it doesn’t make a sound?
We live in a time that would rather speak tomorrow then tell the truth right now.
When will we speak for the voiceless you ask?
Good Question…you tell me.
How about the day that the voiceless consists of those born mute, respectively?
The
Voiceless
Is
Me
And the voiceless is you.
The government seems to have all the answers, ask them…
They’ll know what to do.
It’s as if those that did not die physically
Perished mentally
Stuck in this medium like life after death,
Missing loved ones and family.
The voiceless is we.
Until we decide to speak up
For injustice and the war,
the day were fed up.
Will be the day we call tomorrow
Then slowly turn to yesterday
Because we failed to speak up and forgot what to say.
The weight of speaking must be a ton…
Because we so choose to hold our tongue.
Instead of speaking truth that will liberate
We fill our silence with loss and hate.
Our youth will remain hopeless unable to seek us
Because our voices remain hidden
And we’ve yet to speak up.

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Lauren L. Smith http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-27 Lauren L. Smith Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:29:20 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-27 I feel as though alot of the college educated Black do not use their college education to better their community and others around them. Being the college educated Black we should use our education as an advantage to build up our community. We should encourage each other to stop using lack of education as a crutch and learn how to lend out a helping hand. Though some of us are educated it is our own ignorance that is holding us back as a race. I feel as though alot of the college educated Black do not use their college education to better their community and others around them. Being the college educated Black we should use our education as an advantage to build up our community. We should encourage each other to stop using lack of education as a crutch and learn how to lend out a helping hand. Though some of us are educated it is our own ignorance that is holding us back as a race.

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by STACEY EKECHUKWU http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-26 STACEY EKECHUKWU Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:49:13 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-26 What is the responsibility of the Black poet/performance artist to her or his community? I feel that the responsibility of an African American poet to their commuinty is to express his/her thoughts and speak for the community as a whole.What I mean by that is standing up for what everyone,including themselves,believes an going out and trying to make a difference for the black community.I feel that the people would look for a peraon that will be bold and not afraid speak their mind about trying to make a change in the community. What is the responsibility of the Black poet/performance artist to her or his community?
I feel that the responsibility of an African American poet to their commuinty is to express his/her thoughts and speak for the community as a whole.What I mean by that is standing up for what everyone,including themselves,believes an going out and trying to make a difference for the black community.I feel that the people would look for a peraon that will be bold and not afraid speak their mind about trying to make a change in the community.

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by Gian Spells http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-25 Gian Spells Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:19:01 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-25 just another poem “What If “ What if Slavery never Existed What if the ship never Sailed Would Martin Luther King Still have a Dream? Would Malcolm X still be part of the Muslim Scene? What would the NAACP stand For Would HBCU’s still be the Core? What happened to the civil War? Would they still have Confederate Flags? Would Blacks be seen as Bad? Sad, Sad, Sad Most of us don’t even know who we are But Who would we be if not for the Sky’s and the Stars Could we heal if not for Pain And Scars? Would there be any Importance If not for Chains and Bars Sold, Sold, Sold Niggers for Sale on the Local Boulevard Not Talking Houses And Cars Talking Humans, Emotions, Feelings of “God” NO Respect MORE Disrespect for Feelings of SOB “Man Up bOy” Take These Harsh Whippings like A Plastic TOY Let The Glass stick in your Back like Vanes Let The Salt Roll Down the Cracks Like Rain “Why You Cryin “BoY” its Just a Little Pain” That’s What they Yell OUT While the Black Man is Getting Slained Shame, Shame, Shame Willie Lynch Done set us against Each other like Day and Night Now it’s an ongoing fight just to get up right WE Blind WE Blind!!! Blocked from Vision and Sight WE Lost WE Lost!!! We can’t find our way home Unlike Others we Stand Alone Shunned From oneself, forced to assimilate to others WE know other Families but Don’t understand our own Mothers SPLIT AND CLUSTERD We See Brothers And Sisters as Distant Strangers IT GETS STRANGER We’ll Fight against our own before we Fight for our own I’ll Degrade mine before I Insult Yours I’ll expand the Issue and Deepen The Soars Confused, Confused The mind is misunderstood and misused Very abused Beaten and Bruised How Much will we take before we finally dish out We the Spider in the Water Spout Bout to Get Washed Out When will we unite to stir a never-ending fright Among the other community that wants us to fade into the night TIME, TIME, TIME Time Awaits For us To awake Been Sleep to long TIME to claim Our Base African KINGS and QUEENS are back to the Chase Blacks ARE Now Leaders Of an Ongoing Race United States OF Africa OR Africa’s United States WE ALL STAND TOGETHER ON THIS NEW FOUND BASE WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF just another poem

“What If “
What if Slavery never Existed
What if the ship never Sailed
Would Martin Luther King Still have a Dream?
Would Malcolm X still be part of the Muslim Scene?
What would the NAACP stand For
Would HBCU’s still be the Core?
What happened to the civil War?
Would they still have Confederate Flags?
Would Blacks be seen as Bad?
Sad, Sad, Sad
Most of us don’t even know who we are
But Who would we be if not for the Sky’s and the Stars
Could we heal if not for Pain And Scars?
Would there be any Importance If not for Chains and Bars
Sold, Sold, Sold
Niggers for Sale on the Local Boulevard
Not Talking Houses And Cars
Talking Humans, Emotions, Feelings of “God”
NO Respect MORE Disrespect for Feelings of SOB
“Man Up bOy”
Take These Harsh Whippings like A Plastic TOY
Let The Glass stick in your Back like Vanes
Let The Salt Roll Down the Cracks Like Rain
“Why You Cryin “BoY” its Just a Little Pain”
That’s What they Yell OUT
While the Black Man is Getting Slained
Shame, Shame, Shame
Willie Lynch Done set us against Each other like Day and Night
Now it’s an ongoing fight just to get up right
WE Blind WE Blind!!! Blocked from Vision and Sight
WE Lost WE Lost!!! We can’t find our way home
Unlike Others we Stand Alone
Shunned From oneself, forced to assimilate to others
WE know other Families but Don’t understand our own Mothers
SPLIT AND CLUSTERD
We See Brothers And Sisters as Distant Strangers
IT GETS STRANGER
We’ll Fight against our own before we Fight for our own
I’ll Degrade mine before I Insult Yours
I’ll expand the Issue and Deepen The Soars
Confused, Confused
The mind is misunderstood and misused
Very abused Beaten and Bruised
How Much will we take before we finally dish out
We the Spider in the Water Spout
Bout to Get Washed Out
When will we unite to stir a never-ending fright
Among the other community that wants us to fade into the night
TIME, TIME, TIME
Time Awaits For us To awake
Been Sleep to long TIME to claim Our Base
African KINGS and QUEENS are back to the Chase
Blacks ARE Now Leaders Of an Ongoing Race
United States OF Africa
OR
Africa’s United States
WE ALL STAND TOGETHER ON THIS NEW FOUND BASE
WHAT IF
WHAT IF
WHAT IF

]]> Comment on Dr. Ahmad’s Assignment by brian lawrence http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/dr-ahmads-assignment/#comment-24 brian lawrence Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:47:56 +0000 http://communityspeak.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-24 Question: How do you see the black family The black family has perpetuated the slave masters breed and separate mentality. We have more men fathering children but not taking responsibility for raising them. anybody can father a child but it takes a man to raise a child. We have to teach our young men that it is important to a child to have their father in their life. on the same token we have to teach our young females to be sensitive to the plight of the black man in America today. It is not easy for anyone in the black race in America, where they say we are free to pursue the American Dream, As Black Americans we have to remember the American Dream wasn't a dream that included Black people. As black people and as the Black Family we have to dream our own dream and make that dream come true... The one thing that we as a black family must do is become a cohesive unit and not a Dis-functional unit. Question: How do you see the black family

The black family has perpetuated the slave masters breed and separate mentality. We have more men fathering children but not taking responsibility for raising them. anybody can father a child but it takes a man to raise a child. We have to teach our young men that it is important to a child to have their father in their life. on the same token we have to teach our young females to be sensitive to the plight of the black man in America today. It is not easy for anyone in the black race in America, where they say we are free to pursue the American Dream, As Black Americans we have to remember the American Dream wasn’t a dream that included Black people. As black people and as the Black Family we have to dream our own dream and make that dream come true… The one thing that we as a black family must do is become a cohesive unit and not a Dis-functional unit.

]]>