Marvin X, the Human Earthquake, caused an 8.9 in the BAY at aproximately 9am ish, this Sunday at True Vine Ministries, meeting at Mclymonds High School in West Oakland

√

African Heritage Month commemoration with Marvin X, Corey Page, Ken McCollum, True Vine praise dancers and choir featuring Dale Anthony and Quinton Cooper & the band (Tommy Bradford, deLuca, Doug, Sandra & Cam)
— at True Vine Ministries.



Marvin X, the human earthquake went 8.9 on the Ricter scale at True Vine Ministries this Sunday, 9am. Invited by Oakland City Council President, Lynette McElhaney, her assistant Brigitt Cook said after Marvin X's sermon on Revolution, "I had no idea, but he was far beyond my imagination." 







During his talk, the poet said he had no idea he was going to preach rather than read poetry. The Holy Ghost took over so what could I do except go along for the ride? He told the young men forget hands up, it's pants up! You call yourselves pimping while staying at yo mama's house riding a bicycle. Our women need you but you are unacceptable with pants off your behinds. Where are our women going to find husbands. Women have B.A.s, M.A.s, PhDs, and you doing twenty-five to life. Some women have no choice except turning to you for husbands but it's pitiful.

Talk about Black History? Oscar Grant died on New Year's Day. Do you realize New Year's Day was the worst day in the history of our people? It was the day of the slave auction, when mothers were separated from children, husbands, and we still celebrate New Year's Day. It should be a day of prayer and a day to ask our ancestors to forgive us for giving up the struggle for liberation, a day we vow to never give up until freedom is won. The poet ended with his classic poem For the Women, especially since an earlier poet had said a poem that asked what will it take to make the Black woman smile? We think Marvin X made the women in the congregation smile!
Marvin X speaks tonight on Houston's Pacifica Radio station www.kpft.org, 8:30pm CT, 6:30 PT. Tune in on the Wild Crazy Ride called the Marvin X Experience.

THE WILD CRAZY RIDE OF THE MARVIN X EXPERIENCE: SUNDAY, 8:30PM CT, PACIFICA RADIO, HOUSTON, TEXAS,WWW.KPFT.ORG CT

BAM News Update: Life and Death in West Oakland

Wendy’s Cheesecake Bakery & Le`RoyaltyLadies Catering Service

Presents: The 18th Annual Black History Celebration

We invite you to participate in this years celebration themed: “Our Roots Run Deep.” Join us in honoring our Ancestors, whose shoulders we boldly stand on, recognizing the Blood, Sweat and Tears, that built the foundation of American History.
This year’s Celebration will be held at The West Oakland Youth Center, at: 3233 Market Street, Oakland, Ca. 94608; Friday, February, 20th 2015, 6:00pm – 9:30pm. Admission is FREE. Hors-d’oeuvres and Refreshments will be served from 6pm – 6:45pm.

Our Guest Speakers: 

Ms. Elaine Brown - Legacy of Black Panthers Movement 

Marvin X (Black Arts Movement)
Pastor Larry Austin - (Oakland City Church – 180 Degree, African American Male Achievement) Pastor James A. Long, Jr. – (True Faith Baptist Church - Our Souls Run Deep)
David Roach - (MoBetterfood.com)
Letitia Henderson (Olivet IMBC – History)
L. Karen Monroe - (Alameda County Superintendent of Schools)
Melody Powers - (The Bay Area Black United Funds)
Allensworth Descendants Association
Brenda Brumfield-Ross & Paula Kirkendoll - (Sister Cities International)
Douglas Steward - (Covered California)
I80 Degree Program / Piedmont Avenue Elementary School Gators
BOP - (Black Organizing Project)

Spoken Word Artist:
Dance Group

Musical Selections
Voices of Freedom “Keren Beloved”
Piwai of Acoustic Soul Stories

Montoya Mayo Aries Jordan Downtown TAY LaShawn Rabon

Participating Vendors:
The Bay Area Black United Fund KulCha Coloring Works, Inc. Montoya Mayo
Marvin X, Black Bird Press
Covered California
Bay Area Headwraps
Allensworth Descendants Association Aries Jordan
Women’s Chamber of Commerce The Aieste Star Foundation, 501(c)3 Sankofa Vine
Ankara Style

Chocolate Platinum Soul Line Dancers

 Marvin X at the West Oakland Youth Center Black History Event

photo Cathy Gent

As we came up on 3200 block of Market Street in West Oakland, we passed the flashing lights of police cars and saw the block of 32nd between Market and San Pablo was roped off by police tape, indicating a homicide. We slowed but continued to find a parking place so we could speak at a Black History program  at the City of Oakland's Youth Center.  We parked and went inside to find people lined up to eat dinner before the program began. While the OPD investigated the crime scene down the block, people inside were preparing to enjoy an evening of presentations on Black History. Elaine Brown was scheduled to speak on the Black Panther Party of which she was former chairwoman. I was representing the Black Arts Movement. The program was produced by Barbara Howard. The MC was George Pearson, PA, a former student of mine at Mills College.

As people ate dinner, I could hear them whispering about the homicide around the corner in the area we used to call the Dirty 30s. It is an area well familiar to me since I once lived at 32nd and Market as well as 32nd and Magnolia. Thirty Second Street was a freeway for drugs back in the day and apparently still is alive with medication for the oppressed.

The Dirty 30s is also known as an area for sex workers, one of whom was immortalized in my essay The Maid, the Ho, the Cook (In the Crazy House Called America, essays, Marvin X, Black Bird Press, 2002). The character with the triple crown was based on a sex worker I befriended and who came to live with me for a time. It was a time when I was already giving shelter to the director of my play One Day in the Life, Ayodele Nzinga, and her six children. The prostitute shared my one bedroom apartment along with Ayo and her children who were homeless at the time. Often when the prostitute came home from her runs up and down San Pablo, she would find us rehearsing One Day in the Life, a docudrama about my addiction and recovery from Crack, including a scene of my last meeting with Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton in a Crack house near the infamous Acorn Projects. She pretended not to notice us rehearsing and would often fall asleep on floor from exhausion, sleeping anywhere she could find space. But the play apparently seeped into her subconscious since she eventually gave up her sex work and went into recovery. She went to San Francisco and enrolled in a job training program to become a paralegal. So there is hope for those caught in the Dirty 30s. For sure, the Youth Center is making an impact, despite the fact that there are victims falling every minute in America's 400 year old war with North American Africans.
--Marvin X

 BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra, University of California, Merced, 2014

 Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at Laney College BAM celebration

LtoR: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Marvin X, Naima Joy in arms of Mayor Schaaf, Jah Amiel (grandchildren of Marvin X), Laney College President, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, President of Oakland City Council, Lynette McElhaney

photo South Park Ken Johnson

 Marvin X and daughter Nefertiti at the Laney College BAM 50th anniversary celebration; they participated on the BAM/Black Power babies panel

photo South Park Ken Johnson

Marvin X and the BAM 27 City Tour is coming to San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento. Stay tuned to www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com or call 510-200-4164 for booking in your city.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on the BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT #2

BAM VIDEO # 3: BLACK ARTS/BLACK POWER BABIES PANEL AT LANEY COLLEGE, OAKLAND, FEB 7, 2015

Video #1: The President of Laney, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, speaks at BAM 50th Anniversary Celebration

Don't Say Pussy or the Psycholingustic Crisis of North American Africans

 

Don't Say Pussy

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!

from the Mythology of Pussy and Dick (expanded version circa 400 pages)  by Marvin X, Black Bird Press, 2014

John Lewis at San Francisco State University

I am writing to our esteemed alumni and community members who were members of the 1968 BSU/TWLF-led strike for whom we have contact information. If you are attending tomorrow¹s event for Mr. John Lewis, please let me know. Also, if you can arrive before the start time of his talk, between noon and 1pm, we¹ve organized an informal time to meet with a smaller group and the Congressman. Please share this note with former ¹68 strikers and let me know asap who will be in attendance. Thank you,   Ken Monteiro

BAM NEWS update: ona move to Berkeley, San Francisco, Sacramento

 The BAM 27 City Tour moves on from Oakland to San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento. The Laney College BAM 50th Anniversary Celebration was an unqualified success. Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Marvin X, Mayor Libby Schaaf holding Naima Joy, Marvin's granddaughter, and grandson Jah Amiel, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, President of Laney College, Dr. Nathan Hare and Lynette McElhaney, President of the Oakland City Council.
photo South Park Kenny Johnson


The BAM News reports the 27 City Tour is ona move from Oakland to San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento.
 
We are in the planning stages for the SF Tour in partnership with the Hunters Point/Bay View YMCA Wellness Program, SF Recovery Theatre and the San Francisco Post.

The Berkeley BAM Tour will likely be in partnership with the Black Repertory Group Theatre which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as well.

Marvin X will be a featured writer at the Sacramento Book Fair, June 5-7. He may be joined by BAM poet Sonia Sanchez and co-editors (John Bracey and James Smethurst) of SOS, The Black Arts Movement Reader. We are in conversation with the planners for a  partnership agreement to present the BAM program at the Book Fair.

TONIGHT: FEBRUARY 17, 2015 

Is Harlem's Black History Month Tribute To 

Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad

 

  6pm - 10pm

@ The National Black Theater

2031 Fifth Avenue (bet. 125th & 126th Streets)

$10.00 Suggested Donation (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds)

Dinners Will Be Available ~ Vendors Welcome ~ Speakers ~ Cultural Performances

TRANSPORTATION: Take # 2,3,4,5,6 Trains To 125th Street Station Stop

INFORMATION: (347) 876-0122  or  buyblackcampaign@yahoo.com

Black Bird Press News & Review: Poems from the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience

Black Bird Press News & Review: Poems from the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Marvin X and Sun Ra, Master Musician and Philosopher of the Black Arts Movement. Sun Ra arranged the music for Marvin's drama Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business. Marvin produced a five hour concert without intermission with Sun Ra's Arkestra, along with a cast of fifty people, including the cast of TCB and the dancers of choreographers Raymond Sawyer and Ellendar Barnes at the the Hardiing Theatre on Divisadero, San Francisco, 1972. Also, Marvin X and Sun Ra taught in Black Studies at the University of California, Berkeley until the entire faculty was purged for being too radical for white supremacy academia

Black Bird Press News & Review: Sista Akua didn't get enough of the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Part Two, Next Sunday, same time, same station: 8:30pm CT

Black Bird Press News & Review: Sista Akua didn't get enough of the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Part Two, Next Sunday, same time, same station: 8:30pm CT www.kpft.org

Poems from the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience

MARVIN X, DAVID MURRAY, EARLE DAVIS, VAL SERRANT, MECHELLE LACHAUX WITH THE BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT POETS CHOIR AND ARKESTRA, MALCOLM X JAZZ/ART FESTIVAL, OAKLAND, MAY 17, 2014. BAM 27 CITY TOUR. COMING SOON TO SAN FRANCISCO, SACRAMENTO, FRESNO, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, AND BEYOND
FOR BOOKING CALL 510-200-4164; EMAIL JMARVINX@YAHOO.COM

PHOTO GENE HAZZARD


 SUN RA

 

Marvin X and Sun Ra, Master Musician and Philosopher of the Black Arts Movement. Sun Ra arranged the music for Marvin's drama Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business. Marvin produced a five hour concert without intermission with Sun Ra's Arkestra, along with a  cast of fifty people, including the cast of TCB and  the dancers of choreographers Raymond Sawyer and Ellendar Barnes at the the Hardiing Theatre on Divisadero, San Francisco, 1972. Also,  Marvin X and Sun Ra taught in Black Studies at the University of California, Berkeley until the entire faculty was purged for being too radical for white supremacy academia. 

JOHN COLTRANE, ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS AND LYNCHING TREE

I AM JOHN COLTRANE

I am John Coltrane
not with horn
but pen
beyond words to silence
not sound
words sacred
profane obscene
no proper politically correct
beyond bourgeoisie culture police
revolutionary puritans

who say
don't say nigguh but kill nigguhs at every turn
turn holy in prison doing push ups after killing all nigguhs in the hood
don't say motherfucker
but fuck their mothers, daughters, sons and anything else under the sun
but don't say motherfucker
don't say bitch

while they are the real bitch in disguise of mother Theresa

Fuck the King's English

the king and his mama
I am Freedom in discipline
all words in context
No political correctness
Sun Ra taught somebody else's idea of somebody else's world
not my idea
Sonny said I am not holy man
ain't crucifying me
that's for Jesus, Osiris, Malcolm, Martin, Medgar
My words shall crucify you
hang you on the cross and lynching tree of truth
people want low down dirty truth
Sonny taught me
no holy ghost truth
miller lite truth
watered down diluted polluted
pasteurized homogenized truth
Don't think nice of me
no politician here
vote for me I'll set you free here truth
hate me
more people love me
common people with common sense
no academic negores holy ghost negroes
common people with common sense

don't read book by cover common sense people

seeking truth and relief from suffering
light for children slipping in darkness
somebody help me
I am shaman truth
between darkness and light
before dawn truth
working my twist while wicked sleep
your world is not my world
and my world is not your world
to you your way and to me mine
lakum dinu kum waliya din.

Catch me in my hour of madness
did you invite me to your gladness
don't want your sadness
Sonny taught me this
holy rats
bourgeoisie swine
nigguh please!
get up outta here wit dat!
Square nigguhs will get ya killed
hustler podna's taught me that
I walk alone
Men of fear
cannot walk this road
I walk alone
men who snitch
who snibble
who take evidence to pharaoh
cannot walk this road
I walk alone
john coltrane
john coltrane
a love supreme
a love supreme
space is the place
space is the place.

Muhammad said live like you here for eternity
and live like death is tomorrow at dawn
why are you breathing
exercising
what reason what purpose
what program
Huey Newton asked me in our first meeting
what is your program, Jackmon?

I am John Coltrane
writing is fighting
writing is fighting
A love supreme
A love supreme

You can't touch this
beyond the beyond
beyond words
religion
politics money sex
vote for me
I'll set you free truth
see the stars. moon. sun.
I am blue man
blue trane.

Trane moving on
catch me if you can
my intensity consumes you
get out da kitchen
I am terror in the night
the dream the prayer of ancestors
for every hurtful thing
I speak and sing songs of the lion king
nothing holy nothing nice
catch me if you can
see my mask
the mask you fear
in your bones and blood
I am the wind
a pleasure to my people
I am the sun
A pleasure to my people
common sense people
beyond edumakion from the devil people
simple minded shit
where was he ten trillion years ago
Space is the place
Space is the place.
A love supreme
A love supreme.
--Marvin X
3/17/10

Christian Terrorists

Ever heard of WWI, WWII, WWIII, yeah, the eternal war on terrorism good for business as usual
Ask Africans was the Good Ship Jesus a nice ride to Mississippi,
Jamaica, Brazil, Cuba
How did Mali music turn into Blues in the Mississippi Delta
Ever heard of the Cross & Lynching Tree
Billi called it Strange Fruit nothin' to eat
Native Americans just love the teachings of Jesus
the small pox syphilis alcoholism wife beating
oh how we love Jesus in the concentration camps
called reservations
Now wasn't Hitler a Christian pure Christian 100%
Wasn't the KKK Christian burning crosses in the name of Jesus
the Blue eyed blond hanging on the cross looking like a hippie
How did blue eyed blonds get to Palestine, Jerusalem
was it on the Ra boat did they come from the river Hapi
Christians sliced Africa at the Berlin Conference
just split the pie Germany took a piece, France, England
Holland, Spain, took Arabia too, Egypt, Iran
did they practice human rights
administer justice kind to women
europeans cry bout Muuuuuuuuuuslims in their midst
how long did they stay in Muuuuuuuuuuuuuslim lands
did they treat Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuslims with tender loving kindness
did they not hang them, beat them, cut off arms legs lips hands
these Christian saviors of the savages saved them from nakedness
saved them from no heart attacks no high blood pressure no AIDS no Ebola
Do they not have 800 Christian army bases around the world today
occupying lands for the rights of corporations who are people too we heard the court say
corporations are people who murder in the name of Jesus rob in the name of Jesus exploit
plunder pollute like Shell in Nigeria India Peru
steal the forests for IKEDA furniture you want
Gold  and diamond mines so Negroes can have bling bling
extract African minerals so Negroes can talk on cell phones
Where you at, where you at, where you at
Is you outside Jesus you ain't back yet
been two thousand years
where you at, where you at, where you at.
Is you ISIS they look like Jesus
Is you Taliban they look like Jesus
Is you Hamas, Hezbollah, they look more like Jesus than Jesus we know
Is Al Quida Jesus
Who is Al Quida anyway
Ain't Al Quida America
Ain't Al Quida who America helped in Afghanistan then left them naked after the Russians ran home
Ain't the Bin Laden family and the Bush family lovers and friends
Bin Laden family flew out of American when nobody else could fly, remember 9/11
Baldwin said these people ain't Christians
your condition proves it
yes, Baldwin said
your condition proves it.
Where you at Jesus with your pretty blond hair pretty blue eyes
drone in the sky
poison water air food poison men women and children
Where you at, where you at, where you at
Oh, you love Native Americans so much
Your good Christian police love Negroes so much, ok they love Africans so
Ask Diallo how much they love Africans or did they think he was a Negro
we all look alike don't we
What's the difference between a Negro and African they both Black ain't they
You made them Christian didn't you
you gave them both the Cross and Lynching Tree
Messed up their minds for the next four hundred years
Dumping bleaching cream by the tons on Africa
Bleaching still in America, look at Sammy Sousa
Remember poor Michael
My grandson said he wanna be white like Michael Jackson
So why you good loving Christians crying bout Muuuuuuuuuuslims in your midst
didn't you make them devils like you
didn't they go to your good Christian colonial schools
didn't they study the Bible while you stole the land
little bait and switch here uh
Oh, now you morn in Europe
Muuuuuuuuuuuslim terrorists Muuuuuuuuuslim terrorists
all Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuslims are terrorists
All Christians are what good guys in white hats
Onward Christian soldiers kill the infidels heathens
drive them from Europe and America like Spain did in 1492
Put them on the Good Ship Muuuuuuuhammad
America is a Christian land Europe is good Christian land
let the world be a good Christian land let Jesus return in a space ship
to save us all, save us all.
where you at, where you at, where you at
--Marvin X
1/15/15 

The Negro Knows Everything

The Negro knows everything, don't tell him nothing
Cause he knows everything
History of the atom
Construction of the pyramids
Exact location of Bin Laden
How to grow marijuana with air
Everything
Expert
Scientist
Einstein's teacher
The Negro
He knew the world was round trillions of years before the white man
He was with God in the beginning
He knows how to be a loyal slave like no other
His drugs are holistic
He doesn't need treatment, but more drugs
What would a Negro be without drugs, his morning wake up
Start the day right
Ask him which way is east or west
He'll have a nervous breakdown
Wanna fight
Insulting his intelligence
But he knows everything
Does he have an exit plan
Just in case America falls and FEMA is closed?
Does he have water, food, guns?
Of course he does
Think the Negro is stupid
He knows everything
Don't tell him nothing
Leave him alone
He's dangerous to your healthâ?¦..
say peace when you see him.
On her dying bed, my Moma said,
"Marvin, leave them nigguhs aloneâ?¦.."
but I love dem nigguhs, Mama
LEAVE DEM NIGGUHS ALONE
Mama, I love dem sick crazy
hog eatin liquor drinkin
jesus lovin white man creation
nigguhs
MARVIN, LEAVE DEM NIGGUHS ALONE
Mama, I can't stay way from dem nigguhs
dem all nite party get down funky
ugly lookin wig wearin weave headed dreg locked dead locked nigguhs
Dem black african bilalian afro pan centric endemic nigguhs
anti freedom fightin job loving hate doing for self scared fearful
fearless when fightin for the white man
killling each other beatin they wife ass but never touch the white man
cowardly nigguhs
MARVIN, LEAVE DEM NIGGUHS ALONE....
Mama
MARVIN....
Mama but I
MARVIN
Please, Mama can I
MARVIN
I love
MARVIN
Mama dem nigguhs
MARVIN......
And Mama died........
and I love dem nigguhs................
and Mama died and I love dem nigguhs
and Mama died and I love dem nigguhs
and Mama died
and I love dem nigguhs.

10/5/01

Little African Woman

Little African woman
full of wisdom speak
strength of your silence
calls me like the Sirens
silence calms by soul
whisper your love energy
send it my way if you can
I will flow wit da flow
listening to you
screaming silence in my ears
calm down
the deal is done
no rats can bite this cheese
ancestors have this day in the sun
I listen to you
your soft words are the sea
the tide is in and we are happy.
--Marvin X
2/2/15


I AM AMERICAN
I am American
no citizen of the United States
gave that up years ago
in Toronto
protesting US in Vietnam
exiled in Canada
underground to Chicago, Harlem
crucified at Fresno State University
same time Angela Davis was on the cross at UCLA, 1969

I am American
exiled a second time in Mexico City
with all the exiled Americans from the Americas
from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Columbia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Brazil
they call me Pele Pele Pele on the streets of Mexico City
want to touch my hair for good luck

I am American
in Mexico City founded by Africans
now exiled by president for life regimes
we are young men of resistance
and women too, my wife is with me
young men
put aboard planes that landed in Chapultepec Park
cerca de Paseo de Reforma
my wife and I live near the Metro by the park
we see the lovers in the park on Sundays
and we are in love
she is pregnant with our daughter Nefertiti
I am American
I cannot speak with my brothers in exile
Jorge from Choco, Columbia
Enrique from Venezuela
I speak Spanish pochito
muy pochito
no Portuguese
I can only say Poder Negro to my revolutionary amigos.
They comprende
I give them the black power salute
I am American
I flee Mexico City for Belize
I pass through Yucatan, Vera Cruz, Merida, Chetumal
the land of Yanga el Africano Mexicano
Yanga was so bad the Spanish gave him a town
San Lorenzo de los Negroes
down in Vera Cruz
I flee against the advice of my Elizabeth Catlett Mora
my elder revolutionary artist
she begged me not to go
those negroes are in raw colonialism
not neo-colonialism she said
I am American
young and hard headed
easy to lead in the wrong direction
hard to lead in the right direction
I am American

I want to hear English
tired of Spanish
basta ya!
I want to see los Negroes
in Belize
esclavos pero Negroes
yo esclavos tambien
I am American

This is my land the Americas
all of it
I was here before Columbus
Before Maya Aztec Incas Olmec
I was here
I came by canoe from Ghana, Mali, Songhay
from the land of Sonni Ali, Askia the Great
the bling bling of Mansa Musa
a thousand camels with gold on his haj to Mecca

I am American
in Belize los Negroes speak English
pero muy rapido pero English
Espanol tambien
I am American
Norte Americano Africano
Simon Bolivar Americano
Simon Simon Simon

I am American
North Central South American
Caribbean American
I am American
from Toronto, Montreal
to Georgetown, Caracas

Slums of Mexico City are mine
shacks of Belize are mine
madness of Kingston are mine
cocaine of Port of Spain are mine
yes, Trinidad
land of C. Eric Williams
victim of Capitalism and Slavery
Guyana is mine
I interviewed PM Burnham at his residence
Africans with AK47s at his gate
the genocide of Jonestown
assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney
how can we forgive the reactionaries
who never turn into Buddha heads
who never put down their butcher knives

I am American
in Belize I join the revolution of Evan X and Shabazz
on trial for sedition
the government is games old people play
this is sedition
I covered the trial for Muhammad Speaks
this was my sin
a 1970 Wikileaks
exposing the emperor has no clothes
the people have no clothes
no water no electricity no toilet
no nothing
brothers want to know why I left American with no gold
they want to go to American to get the gold
why did I leave without the gold
good question

I am American
the people are rich in Belize
joy and peace, sun and land
gardens of paradise
islands in the sun
I love on Gales Point
a little shack with no water no electricity no bathroom
but I am happy
my wife is pregnant and happy
except for the sand flies
mosquitoes who love her blood
we bathe in the river
the out house is on the other side of the island
the catfish collect the waste
people do not swim on that side of the island

I am American
the people beg me to teach black power
I do not check in with the village headman

a drunk man sings outside my house
day comin ta git ya in da mornin
been down here teachin dat black power
day comin to get ya in da mornin, boy

my wife and I laugh
wish dat drunk nigguh git way from our door
but they come to get me in the morning

I am American
When I get on the boat into the city
five hour ride through the jungle
police on boat
I am under arrest
but don't know it
police undercover
don't say nothing to me
when we get to the city
he don't say nothing
police come to my friends house
call me out
I grab rifle
but put it down
surrender
a mulatto greets me outside
I am under arrest
take me to Ministry of Home Affairs
Minister reads my deportation order
Your presence is not beneficial to the welfare of the British Colony of Honduras
therefore you shall be deported to the United States on the next plane to Miami
leaving at 4pm.
Until then you are under arrest.
Mulatto takes me to police station
I am told to sit down. No cell, no handcuffs.
Soon the police gather around me
I am in the middle of a circle of police
I do not know what's up.
Soon they say, broder man, teach us about black power!
I am American

victim of the slave system
police victims too
teach us broder man.
I say
Marcus Garvey came here in 1923
told you to get the Queen of English off yo walls.
It's 1970 and you still got that white bitch on yo walls.
Get that bitch off yo walls!
police crack up
they say you all ite broder man
They point out uncle tom police
they say he black man wit white heart
black man wit white heart!
I am American

Plane came for me on time. Mulatto pushed me onto the plane. I refused to leave without my wife. The plane door slammed. Fly south to Tegucigalpa, Spanish Honduras.
I ask for asylum . Espera un momento, Negro!
I am marched back onto the plane.
We land in Miami. Two gentlemen greet me at the airport. Escort me to my hotel suite at Dade County Jail. I am put into a pit with dead, deaf dumb and blind negroes.
I call them brother.
They say we ain't yo brother, nigguh. I am silent.
After a few days the gentlemen come to transfer me to Miami City jail, the Federal facility.
White Cuban drug dealers greet me. What do you want, my brother, they say.
You need money, food? We send out for food to the restaurant, what do you want.
I am American
I want hamburger, fries and milkshake!
No problema, hermano!
They give me money to call my wife.
She is home in America.
I am American
Cubans say again, whatever you need just let us know.
I am American
like Simon Bolivar
like Che
like Fidel
Toussaint
like Nat Turner
Grabriel Prosser
Harriet Tubman
Malcolm
Like Garvey
Stokely
CLR James
Padmore
Chavez
Morales
I am American.
--Marvin X
1/29/11

Strong Black Women at the BAM 50th Annivesary Celebration, Laney College, Feb 7, 2015, a marvin x production

photos lamrichiego Gosha 

  elaine brown, mx, halifu osumare

portia anderson

kujichagulia

 Judy Juanita, novelist, poet, BAM artistic freedom fighter

below: Elaine Brown, singer, Chair of the Black Panther Party

Open Letter from the Black Arts Movement to the Citizens of Oakland CA

14 February 2015

 On behalf of the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration participants, and all BAM artistic freedom fighters throughout America, we sincerely thank our wonderful fellow citizens of Oakland who made possible the event at Laney College on February 7, 2015. Firstly, we thank the President of Laney College, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, for being brave enough and wise enough to invite the BAM artistic freedom fighters to her campus. We especially want to thank the Laney College faculty and staff who made the BAM celebration a success, in particular the facilities staff, technicians, security persons, culinary school, business office, art department and curator Dr. Leslee Stradford; and the President's staff: Maisha, Randolph and Brandi. We thank the Laney students and the community who took time from their schedules to learn something about the Black Arts Movement. We understand it was truly an educational experience for many. 

We truly appreciate the support of Mayor Libby Schaaf and President of the City Council, Lynette McElhaney. We look forward to their declaration of the Black Arts Movement District along 14th Street. We think the BAM District will serve as a model for other cities in America who wish to acknowledge the artistic, cultural and economic contributions of North American Africans to this society. We think BAM has and will continue to contribute to the cultural consciousness so urgently needed in this time of broken systems/broken minds. 

We pray that President of Laney College, the Mayor and City Council persons will spread the good word about BAM to other cities as we continue our journey to the 27 cities with significant populations of North American Africans, as suggested by ancestor Amiri Baraka. We suggest the City of Oakland establish a sisterly relationship with the City of Newark, New Jersey, especially since Amiri Baraka's son is the Mayor. As a BAM/Black Power Baby, Mayor Ras Baraka is in the tradition and this Oakland/Newark relationship can contribute new energy and inspiration so needed by both Oakland and Newark, NJ. 

We thank all the participants who gave freely of their time and energy, including the San Quentin Prison artists whose work will be exhibited throughout Black History Month in the Laney Art Gallery. Thanks to the William James Prison Art Project for making the exhibit happen on short notice. Thanks to Paul Cobb and the Post News Group for getting the word out along with LaNiece Jones Associates, KBLX, KPFA and KPOO. Conway Jones, Jr., we appreciate your advice, encouragement and words of inspiration. You said this BAM celebration is the most important event to happen in Oakland in the last 50 years. Thank you Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and US Congresswoman Barbara Lee for your commendations.

Sincerely,

Marvin X,

BAM artistic freedom fighter

Sista Akua didn't get enough of the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Part Two, Next Sunday, same time, same station: 8:30pm CT

Marvin X interviewed by Zin on Houston's Pacifica Radio Station www.kpft.org. 
On Sunday, February 15, 8:30pm CT, he will be interviewed by Sister Akua Holt on her Pan African Journal show

Aries Jordan on BAM at Laney College: the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience

 Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Marvin X, Mayor Libby Schaaf, holding Naima Joy, Marvin's granddaughter; his grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, Lynette McElhaney, President of Oakland City Council
photo South Park Ken Johnson

Marvin X, thank you for stopping me that day at the jazz festival and taking me on the wild crazy ride called the marvin x experience!--Aries Jordan

Aries Jordan (upper right corner) is a member of the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra. This performance was last year at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival in Oakland. Under Marvin X's mentorship, she has published two collections of poetry.
photo collage by Adam Turner

On February 7th I had the pleasure and honor to be apart of “The 50th anniversary of the Black Arts Movement: Passing the Baton” hosted by Laney College. In the tradition of the Black arts movement the day was filled with movement, visual arts, intellectual debates and performances. The Day began with the wellness boot camp facilitated by Micheal Bennet's wellness team from YMCA HP/ Bayview, that got the participants blood flowing and into our bodies.

The wellness boot camp was followed with a peer group on “How to Recover from White Supremacy facilitated by Dr. Nathan Hare and MSW Suzzette Celeste. The facilitators opened up with a definition of White Supremacy from Marvin X’s book “How to Recover from White Supremacy” and asked participants for their thoughts.

The conversation among the peer group took an intellectual flow and facilitators challenged the group to move beyond intellectual conversations to one more grounded in our everyday experience. It took a while for people to drop into their hearts and remove the mask of intellect. However, the Peer group ended with folks desiring to have more sacred spaces for Blacks to Recover from White Supremacy.
The afternoon included an author’s talk and open mic with some of the Bays gifted authors and performers which included James Gayle, Judy Juanita, Menhuam Ayele and myself.
 
 Elaine Brown, Halifu Osumare, Judy Juanita, Marvin X, Portia Anderson, Phavia Kujichagulia, Aries Jordan
photo South Park Ken Johnson

The highlight of my day was the panel discussions. I had the honor of joining Elaine Brown, Phavia Kujichagulia and Judith Juanita on the women writers panel. As the youngest panelist I had a moment of self doubt as to whether I was even qualified to be sitting at the table with women of this caliber, after all I was probably not even a born during the Black arts Movement. I quickly shook it off and discussed how the Black Arts movement has inspired my writing and challenged me to move beyond my New York hustle to create works of art that challenges the status quo, heals and inspires. My fellow panelist covered a range of topics from spirituality to Black love. I was awed and inspired by the women on the panel. The “Women Writers” panel was followed by the “Black Power Babies” panel
The" Black Power Babies" panel brought together the elders of the Black Arts movement and their offsprings. The conversation was moderated by Davey D who eloquently guided the discussion and asked powerful questions of panelist. Panelist discussed their role in Black Arts Movement and how they attempted to instill the values of the movement in their children. As their children spoke I saw their parents light up as they shared how they have advanced the BAM movement in their own way. The panel got even more interesting as the topic of passing the baton to the next generation came up. The panelist discussed the challenges for elders in passing the baton and the lack of rite of passages for elders. In a society that wants to be forever young our elders struggle to find their place; causing them to hold on to the few opportunities they have to share their wisdom. The panel also discussed elders intently grooming the younger generation to take their place.
The evening continued with a reception for exhibit of visual arts by SanQuentin Prison art and Bay area visual artist. The new Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf, Publisher Paul Cobb of Post News Group and Laney President Elñora Tena Webb presented Marvin X, Black Arts West freedom fighter with a Proclamation. The proclamation acknowledged the Black Arts Movement impact on the United Sates and the world and declared Feb 5th Black Arts movement day. The Mayor also endorsed the Black Arts Movement proposal for a Black Arts District in downtown Oakland. The full day came to a close with a dramatic performance of Marvin X’s play “Flowers for the Trashman” by the Lower Bottom Players. The Poets choir ended the night with electrifying poems that got the crowd going.
The 50th anniversary of the Black arts movement was a success and brought together people from all over the Bay area and some as far as San Diego. The celebration was holistic; feeding mind, body and soul. I was deeply moved by the entire day and left with a sense of responsibility and dedication to continue the tradition of the Black Arts movement. The celebration was inspirational and renewed my commitment to writing. As artist we have the sacred task of using colors, words, sound and movement for spiritual transformation and Black liberation. The Black Arts movement did not do art for the sake of art or applause but as a weapon to reshape the narrative, evolve language and remind us of who really are. Special thanks to organizer Marvin X and all the artist old and young that answered the call!

Rev. Blandon Reems, Aries Jordan, Toya Williams, Marvin X on visit to Juvenile Hall

BAM 27 City Tour Update: San Francisco and Sacramento, Get ready for the BAM Thang!

We are happy to announce that Marvin X will be meeting with members of the BAM San Francisco planning comitttee to plan the San Francisco BAM tour of Hunters Point/Bayview, Fillmore, Tenderloin and Lakeview, areas with significant populations of North American Africans. BAM is considering a possible partnership with the San Francisco Juneteenth Committee. The planners (Geoffery Grier, Michael Bennett and Marvin X) will meet with their mentor Rev. Cecil Williams of Glide Church at the earliest, along with his wife Janic
e Mirikitani, a poet who once said, "Through the poetry of Marvin X, I became conscious of my own ethnicity."

Congresswoman to Marvin X and The Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration

FYI, Marvin X received a call today from Congresswoman Barbara Lee's office, who will be sending Marvin X and the Black Arts Movement a commendation for 50 years as artistic freedom fighters. Marvin X was approached at Laney College by a member of her staff. The poet is contemplating what he wants Congresswoman Lee to do as per BAM. The spirit tells Marvin X to tell Congresswoman Lee, "When you become US Ambassador to Cuba, I want you to fly out my family and all BAM members who want to relocate to Cuba."

Assata Shakur, Revolutionary Black Nationalist, BLA, exiled in Cuba

BAM ona move to Sacramento 

The Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour is establishing a partnership with the Sacramento Black Book Fair.  We are working on participating in the Sacramento Black Book Fair with our physical and wellness boot camps, BAM women authors panel, BAM Black Arts Babies panel and a performance by the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra. June, 2015. Stay tuned for more information. 510-200-4164; www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com

Marvin X on Pacifica Radio, Houston, Texas, Sunday, 8:30pm

Marvin X will be interviewed on Pacifica Radio's sister station in Houston, Texas, Sunday, 8:30pm. Sister Akua will interview the brother who is a frequent visistor to Houston, often speaking at Texas Southern University and University of Houston, as well as SHAPE Community Center and elsewhere. 

More Video: BAM Physical Wellness Bootcamp at Laney College

Video: BAM Physical Wellness Bootcamp at Laney College, Michael Bennett, Lynn Cole

Video: BAM 50th Anniversary - Laney College, Oakland, CA