LOS ANGELES 2012-2013 BOOK FESTIVAL NAMES GRAND PRIZE WINNER
LOS ANGELES _ Inspiring poetry that examines a man’s struggle for dignity and acceptance is the grand prize winner of the 2012-2013 Los Angeles Book Festival.
Dr. Neal Hall’s “Nigger for Life” reflects the author’s painful, later life discovery that in “unspoken America,” race is the one thing on which he is first judged and measured. The book examines Dr. Hall’s deep sense of betrayal, yet offers clarity and inspiration while considering a topic often considered taboo. Dr. Hall will be honored at a private reception on Friday, March 8 at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.
Dr. Neal Hall’s “Nigger for Life” reflects the author’s painful, later life discovery that in “unspoken America,” race is the one thing on which he is first judged and measured. The book examines Dr. Hall’s deep sense of betrayal, yet offers clarity and inspiration while considering a topic often considered taboo. Dr. Hall will be honored at a private reception on Friday, March 8 at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.
Other winners in the competition:
POETRY
WINNER: Nigger for Life – Neal Hall
RUNNER-UP: A Lot to Say, Sumthin To Talk About – Mschell
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- But By the Chance of War – Richard C. Lyons
- If Dreams Come True – Noorah Deen
- A Conscious Guide to Daily Living – Amna Ahktar and Kiran Kaur
Dr. Nigger
Dr. Nigger
Can you cure me without
touching me with nigga hands
touching me with nigga hands
Can you save my life
without changing my life
without changing my life
Can you dance soft-shoe while
humming those negro tunes
when my white life codes blue
humming those negro tunes
when my white life codes blue
Can you reach inside yourself
beyond the shit we put in you…
past painful moments we put in you…
past despair and hopelessness
we’ve put in you and
find that old black magic in you
to save my life without changing
all the shit we put in you
beyond the shit we put in you…
past painful moments we put in you…
past despair and hopelessness
we’ve put in you and
find that old black magic in you
to save my life without changing
all the shit we put in you
Dr. Nigger
Can you breathe in me
air free of nigga
from a nigger not free
to breathe in free air
air free of nigga
from a nigger not free
to breathe in free air
Can you stay on the colored side
of the color line and reach across
without touching me with nigga hands
to restart my blue heart without
changing my cold heart
of the color line and reach across
without touching me with nigga hands
to restart my blue heart without
changing my cold heart
Can you reach past the life
we’ve taken from you to
save my life and not
let white life pass me by
we’ve taken from you to
save my life and not
let white life pass me by
Dr. Nigger
save my life
without taking my life
without taking my life
Cure me without
touching me with nigga hands
touching me with nigga hands
Dance soft-shoe while
humming negro tunes
while you save my life
without changing my life
when my white life codes blue
humming negro tunes
while you save my life
without changing my life
when my white life codes blue
Neal Hall, M.D., Copyright 2009
“…a warrior of the mind … a warrior of the spirit,
an activist, a poet.”
- Cornel West, Ph.D.
Neal Hall, M.D., graduate of Cornell and Harvard, ophthalmologist and poet, has published a critically acclaimed anthology of verse, Nigger For Life, reflecting his painful, later life discovery, that in “unspoken America,” race is the one thing on which he is “first” judged, by which he is “first” measured, “first”, against which his life and accomplishments are metered diminished value, dignity, equality and justice. All of which have everything to do with accessing choice, opportunity, power and freedom in America.
It’s no ordinary muse that has Dr. Hall becoming as much a part of his poetry as his poetry has become a part of him. Rather it’s a deep sense of betrayal combined with a passion for life that shows through. He can’t help but bare his intelligence, his wit and his dreams. His anthology is as confronting as it is illuminating, as disarming as it is thought provoking
Two notable and well respected minds best describe why Nigger For Life is important and timely: Cornel West, Ph.D., (Princeton University) said of the book “…his poetry has the capacity to change ordinary people’s philosophy on social and racial issues”. Beth Richie, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Chicago) stated the “ … images and issues addressed in Nigger For Life are tremendously important to our [African American] people and the academic field of African American Studies”
Nigger For Life’s candid, gut wrenching clarity gives it it’s tremendous power and impact to provoke both thought and honest dialog regarding race, racism, equality and freedom, not just in America, but throughout the world. The book’s unique ability to open minds, touch hearts and change philosophies of ordinary people is immeasurable.
The body of poetry is extraordinary … meaningful beyond black and white, worthy of – down through the ages – analytical and academic study for their compelling, empowering commentary. Nigger for Life should be read, studied and included amongst the great poetry volumes written.
Nigger For Life can be obtained at: www.surgeonpoet.com
Email: info@NiggerForLifeBook.com
Online Interview at: www.caribbeanbookblog.wordpress.com.
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