Marvin X: The Philadelphia Negro

 

A brother now living in the Bay Area told Marvin X, "Marvin, I heard more about you in Philly than here in the Bay. You are well known and well loved in Philadelphia."


 Keyboard genius Elliot Savoy Bey works with Marvin X coast to coast.

After listening to Marvin X interviewed on Laney College Radio, http://www.9thfloorradio.com/…/1/22/yakety-yak-with-marvin-x his Philly musician friend, keyboard genius Elliot Savoy Bey said "Marvin X must be read and listened to like one is at a buffet--don't take too much at one time, just a little, then go back for more. Don't pile the plate--too much will make you sick, you will have a nervous breakdown." After listening to the interview, another Philly brother said, Marvin X is the Clifford Brown of spoken word. He put on a Clifford Brown album for Elliot Bey to
hear.

 Pam Africa

Philly's Harriet Tubman, i.e., Pam Africa, told Marvin that he needs to come set up shop in Philly, especially if he wants to do the Philly leg of his Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour.  Philly poets told Marvin don't bring all them West coast poets to Philly, we can handle this! 

Marvin X and Philly's legendary musician/philosopher Sun Ra. Marvin worked with Sun Ra coast to coast. Marvin's mythological extravaganzas reveal Sun Ra's influence as well as Amiri Baraka's. Sun Ra and Marvin taught in Black Studies at UC Berkeley until the entire faculty was removed for being too radical. More pliant Negroes were hired.

Sarah Lomax Reese, owner of WURD Radio, Marvin X, Muhammida El Muhajir and Mrs. Amina Baraka. WURD sponsored Muhammida's production of Black Power Babies on Philly's Theatre row.

Marvin X reading at Black Love Lives, accompanied by Philly pianist Alfie Pollitt. Event was produced at the University of Penn by Nisa Ra.

Michael Shoatz, Jr., son of imprisoned Black Panther, Michael Shoatz, Sr., and Marvin X

Philadelphia's Queen of Poetry, Sonia Sanchez, co-founder of the Black Arts Movement

"Marvin, just the idea of a 27 city tour makes me tired."


Greg Corbin, founder of the Philly Youth Poetry Movement


 Philly Professor/poet/editor Ewuare Osayande

Philly native, Muhammad Ahmad, aka Max Stanford, during the 60s, he was  one of the most dangerous men in America as leader of RAM, the Revolutionary Action Movement. RAM was headed by exiled revolutionary Robert F. Williams, author Negroes With Guns.

Dr. Tony Montiero, ousted Temple University professor. Dr. Muhammad Ahmad was ousted as well in a conspiracy with the administration and the Afro-centric Negro Dr. Molefe Asante.

 Marvin with the Philadelphia Poets Award Ceremony produced by Maurice Henderson. Marvin was given a special award as an honorary Philly Poet.

Marvin X and Sarah Lomax Reese, owner of WURD Radio. She was in Oakland for A Conversation with Angela Davis and Sonia Sanchez, which she produced. She told Marvin X, "Don't think about coming to Philly with your BAM 27 City Tour and not have WURD as a sponsor."

Philly comes to Oakland: L to R: Sarah Lomax Reese, Angela Davis and Sonia Sanchez

BAY AREA FOLKS CAN CATCH MARVIN X AND THE BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT POET'S CHOIR AND ARKESTRA AT LANEY COLLEGE, FEBRUARY 7, 10AM THRU 8PM. OAKLAND'S NEW MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF AND PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL LYNETTE MCELHANEY WILL BE THERE. WILL YOU?

 Marvin X, accompanied by David Murray and Earl Davis at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, Oakland, May 17, 2014

 The Black Arts Movement Poet's Choir and Arkestra, University of California, Merced, Feb/Mar, 2014. A Kim McMillan/Marvin X production

 Laney College President, Dr. Elnora T. Webb and Marvin X, aka The Chancellor

The BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra Divas: Tureada Mikel, Mechelle LaChaux, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga and Tarika Lewis on violin. They performed at the 80th Birthday Party for Dr. Nathan Hare, father of Black and Ethnic Studies, founding publisher of the Black Scholar Magazine. He will be at the Laney BAM celebration, facilitating a mental health peer group: How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy.

 Dr. Nathan Hare, PhD sociology, PhD clinical psychology

Fired from Howard University--too Black; fired from San Francisco State University--too Black!

 Hare was a professional boxer while teaching at Howard. They didn't like that either. As Paradise Jah Love says in his classic poem (which he will read at the BAM celebration at Laney College), "They like everything about you but you."

 President of the Oakland City Council, Lynette McElhaney

 Marvin X with BAM co-founder Danny Glover. Danny may show.

photo South Park Kenny Johnson

 Former Black Panther Party Chairwoman Elaine Brown, MX and Mama Ayanna of the Malcolm X Grass Roots Organization

 Phavia Kujichagulia will be in da house. "If you think I'm just a physical thing, wait til you see the spiritual power I bring."

 Empress Diamond, assistant to Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and the Chancellor

 President of the Oakland City Council, Lynette McElhaney, Empress Diamond, the Chancellor

 Empress Diamond, City Councilwoman Desley Brooks, Chancellor

 "Oh, how I miss my drinking buddy." "Marvin, you get drunk and say the damnest things."

 Carol Newborg of the William James Prison Art Project, Chancellor, Dr. Leslee Stradford, curator of the San Quentin Prison art exhibit at the Laney BAM 50th Anniversay Celebration

 Muhammida El Muhajir, creator of the Black Arts/Black Power Babies Conversation, now living in Ghana, West Africa. Right: Samantha Akwei, Special Assistant to Marvin X. She visited Ghana during the holidays, connected with Muhammida, Marvin and Nisa Ra's daughter.

WURD Speaks: Black Power Babies in Philadelphia

Muhammida
El Muhajir produced Black Power Babies in Philadelphia, featuring Mrs.
Amina Baraka, Amiri Baraka, Jr., Marvin X, et al. Black Arts Movement/Black Powers Babies panel discussion will take place at the Laney College BAM celebration on February 7, 2015.

From the Archives: Woman--Man's Best Friend by El Muhajir, aka Marvin X

first edition

1973] · [San Francisco

by EL MUHAJIR [pseud. Marvin X]

[San Francisco: Al Kitab Sudan Publications, 1973]. First Edition. Octavo (21.5cm.); original orange pictorial wrappers printed in brown; [6],iv,[2],88pp.; text printed in brown on tan stock. Fine. Collected short poetical pieces by Marvin X, written between 1969 and 1972. He assures the reader in his introduction that he is not pushing for the women's liberation movement ("Women will be liberated when men are liberated" (p. i)). (Inventory #: 24996) $100.00 ABAA

Marvin X speaks on The History of the Black Arts Movement, Yakety-Yak Radio, Laney College

Marvin X interviewed by Chris Stroffolino, reads his poetry, some of Baraka's, talks about the founding of the Black Arts Movement, introducing Eldridge Cleaver to Bobby Seale, and the forthcoming Oakland Black Arts District on 14th St. http://www.9thfloorradio.com/…/1/22/yakety-yak-with-marvin-x

 Marvin X sporting Borsalino Fedora

photo Kamau Amen Ra

Black Bird Press News & Review: BAM update: San Quentin Prison Art arrives at Laney College for Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration, Feb. 7

Black Bird Press News & Review: BAM update: San Quentin Prison Art arrives at Laney College for Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration, Feb. 7

New Poem by Marvin X: Abortion

Abortion

Men need to stay out of women's pussy

unless invited

but you still can't own it boss it control it

in that sick patriarchal mentality

makes you want to beat it kill it then say you love it so much

just shut up unless invited

don't say nothing bout her bizness

you don't bleed five days a month motherfucker 

you can't bleed for five minutes sucker

control yo shit and shut up

get out the women's rest room pervert

the men's room is over there see the sign

why you put yo penis in her pussy if you know how she is

now you coming after the fact with some man shit

just shut the fuck up

all you want to do is raise the baby so he/she can be a killer in your eternal wars for white supremacy

don't kill the baby now, let it grow up so it can die in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia for the 1% Club who supply guns to both sides just to make a dollar, ain't no ideology except money, greed lust lechery

white day is done dude get over it

don't you see all your guns ain't shit

yo drones planes bombs missles

ain't won shit since Viet Nam

Korean War still goin on I hear

so drink yo beer Billy Bob

stay out of other people's bizness

unless invited.

--Marvin X

1/23/15

Black Arts Movement West at Laney College, Saturday, February 7, all day, free/donations accepted

BAM update: San Quentin Prison Art arrives at Laney College for Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration, Feb. 7

Left to Right: Carol Newborg of the William James Prison Art Project, Black Arts Movement co-founder, poet/playwright Marvin X and Dr. Leslee Stradford, Laney College Professor of Art and curator of the exhibit produced by the BAM/Post News Group Isaiah 61 Art and Literature Project.
photo Nicole

Cornel West in Oakland, Jan. 31, First Congregational Church, 7:30

 

Cornel West supports Marvin X and the Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour. Save the date: Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 7, 10AM thru 8pm, Laney College.

GAME by Augusta Lee Collins

Augusta Lee Collins will perform at the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration at Laney College, Feb. 7, 2015, 10am thru 8pm Free Admission/donations accepted

Marvin X's fable of the Black Bird

The Black Bird—A Fable By 

Marvin X

1968

The cage door was always open, but the little bird wouldn't come out. He loved the cage, he had been in it so long. Other birds would fly into the white house and beg the little bird to come out, but he wouldn't. Sad, the other birds would fly away home to paradise, their hearts white with anger and sorrow for their lost brother who loved the cage. "He is so hard-headed, "the other birds said on their way home, "but we will get him out, we will get him out...." He was a smart bird. Nobody could tell him anything—except his master.

He could sing too. When the master sang, the little bird sang. He knew all of the master's songs by heart. He didn't like to sing bird songs. From all around, people came to see him do tricks. The little bird knew a lot of tricks the master had trained him to do when visitors came to the white house. He was a good house pet. The little bird was so good his master always left his cage door open; he knew the little bird had forgotten what freedom was. "Come, fly away to freedom with us," the other birds would say. But the little bird didn't want to go for self!  "I like being in a cage," he said. "You birds are the crazy ones—get away from me!!!"

For days and days, the black bird would sit in the cage looking at himself in the mirror. "He is such a beautiful black bird," all the visitors said. "Yes," the master said, "I have a good bird." To himself, the master said, "This little black fool has made me rich doing tricks and he's too dumb to fly away to freedom—what a stupid bird!"

The master would feed the bird crumbs from his table. The little bird loved the crumbs so much he wouldn't eat anything else, not even when the other birds sneaked into the master's house and offered the little bird some righteous soulfood.

One day the master's house caught on fire. Nobody knew how the fire started, not even the little black bird. The master fought hard to put the fire out, but there were too many flames, so he ran outside, leaving the little black bird behind. The flames grew bigger and bigger, but the little black bird just sat in his cage. Maybe he was waiting for his master to return....

Then, suddenly, a friendly bird flew into the burning white house, "Black bird!" he yelled, "don't you know the house is on fire??? Hurry—come fly away with me!" "But I love my cage," the black bird cried, "I want to stay!"

"You want to burn," said the friendly bird. The friendly bird went into the cage, grabbed the black bird and flew away from the burning house. "Bye, master," the black bird yelled as he passed his master who was crying in the yard. "Bye, master," the little bird called out again—he was on his way home.

from The Wisdom of Plato Negro, parables/fables, by Marvin X, Black Bird Press, Berkeley.

(c)1968, 2007 

The Black Bird is Marvin X's classic fable written in 1968. Many children were taught this story by conscious parents, including the parents of  journalist Wanda Sabir of the San Francisco Bayview newspaper.

Marvin X speaks at the Black Caucus of California Community Colleges Conference, Merritt College

Marvin X will speak on the Origins of the Black Arts Movement at the BCCCC Conference, February 13-15, 2015, Merritt College, Oakland. 

BAM bandleader/poet Marvin X performing with David Murray, Earl Davis and the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, May 17, 2014. On February 6, Marvin X will read at San Francisco City Hall's Black History Event. Feb. 7, BAM will celebrate its 50th Anniversary at Laney College. Call 510-200-4164 for more information.

Linguist Chomsky on Obama's Drone Program: The Most Extreme Terrorist Campaign of Modern Times!

Published on

Monday, January 19, 2015

by

Common Dreams

Noam Chomsky: Obama's Drone Program 'The Most Extreme Terrorist Campaign of Modern Times'

Famed linguist takes aim at western hypocrisy on terrorism.

by

Andrea Germanos, staff writer

Noam Chomsky speaking in May, 2014.  (Photo:  Chatham House/fickr/cc)

World-renowned linguist and scholar Noam Chomsky has criticized what he sees as Western hypocrisy following the recent terror attacks in Paris and the idea that there are two kinds of terrorism: "theirs versus ours."
In an op-ed published Monday at CNN.com, Chomsky notes how the deadly attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a supermarket last week sparked millions to demonstrate under the banner "I am Charlie" and prompted inquiries "into the roots of these shocking assaults in Islamic culture and exploring ways to counter the murderous wave of Islamic terrorism without sacrificing our values."

No such inquiry into western culture and Christianity came from Anders Breivik's 2011 attack in Norway that killed scores of people.

Nor did NATO's 1999 missile strike on Serbian state television headquarters that killed 16 journalists spark "Je Suis Charlie"-like demonstrations. In fact, Chomsky writes, that attack was lauded by U.S. officials.

That civil rights lawyer Floyd Abrams described the Charlie Hebdo attack as "the most threatening assault on journalism in living memory," is not surprising, Chomsky writes, when one understands "'living memory,' a category carefully constructed to include Their crimes against us while scrupulously excluding Our crimes against them—the latter not crimes but noble defense of the highest values, sometimes inadvertently flawed."

Other omissions of attacks on journalists noted by Chomsky: Israel's assault on Gaza this summer whose casualties included many journalists, and the dozens of journalists in Honduras that have been killed since the coup in 2009.

Offering further proof of what he describes as western hypocrisy towards terrorism, Chomsky takes at aim at Obama's drone program, which he describes as "the most extreme terrorist campaign of modern times."

It "target[s] people suspected of perhaps intending to harm us some day, and any unfortunates who happen to be nearby," he writes.

Dr. Julia Hare tells it how it is...

Our
thoughts go out to Julia and Nathan Hare tonight, my adopted aunt and
uncle; far right, my middle daughter, Attorney Amira Jackmon. Dr. Nathan
Hare is the father of Black and Ethnic Studies; he is founding
publisher of the Black Scholar Magazine and a clinical psychologist in
San Francisco. He will participate in the Black Arts Movement 50th
Anniversary Celebration at Oakland's Laney College, Feb. 7, 2015. Dr.
Nathan Hare has doctorates in sociology and clinical psychology. Along
with Suzzette Celeste, MSW, he will facilitate the mental wellness peer
group: How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, based on
the manual by Marvin X, aka Dr. M. Dr. Julia Hare will not be able to
attend due to health reasons.

MLK, Jr. Day in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Center

2015 MLK Jr. Celebration & Free Museum Day | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Monday, January 19, 2015 - All Day | Cost: FREE
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | 701 Mission St, San Francisco, CA

SoMaSan Francisco

Every year on the third Monday in January, over 15,000 attendees come to San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Gardens to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

2015 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Monday, January 19, 2015 | 11 am to 5 pm
YBCA, 701 Mission St., San Francisco
FREE
The 2015 celebration will host events for all ages including:

• The Annual MLK March
• Commemorative programs and conversations with civil rights luminaries and national personalities
• Inaugural 2015 Black Comix Arts Festival
• 2015 MLK Health and Wellness Festival (held in the Forum at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: Doors open at 11 am)
• 2015 Liberation Film Festival Screenings
• 2015 Children’s Discovery Hunt

2015 Black Comix Arts Festival
This is the inaugural year for the Black Comix Arts Festival at MLK2015. BCAF’s mission is to celebrate the creativity and subjectivity of African Americans in the comic arts and popular visual culture, and it includes a grand exposition, kids activities, special guest artist presentations, a film screening, cosplay events and much more.
BCAF begins on Sunday, January 18 at 2 pm at the San Francisco Public Library’s Main Library and continues on Monday, January 19, with screenings beginning at 10 am and the BCAF Expo at noon at City View at Metreon.
2015 MLK Jr. Conversations | 11 am start
All conversations are free, with limited seating.
The 2015 MLK Conversations are scheduled to feature reflections from civic and political luminaries and conversations with noted authors, film makers, and commentators. This year features a great schedule of conversations for celebrants.

2015 Liberation Film Festival | 10 am to 6 pm
All screenings are free, with limited theater seating on a first-come first-serve basis.
2015 marks the fourth annual Liberation Film Festival (LFF) and will feature human interest and civil rights documentaries and conversations. LFF runs is scheduled for screening in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater and Screening Room, the Freedom Theater at the Museum of the African Diaspora, and the Creativity Theater. LFF is dedicated to bringing short-format cinema and human interest documentaries to the public through innovative programs designed to engage new and diverse audiences.

Marvin X and special assistant Samantha Akwei at MLK, Jr. b day in SF. She is a Spelman graduate and poet who grew up in Harlem. Ms Akwei, part Ghanaian, she works in Oakland. 
photo South Park Kenny Johnson