Juan Felipe Herrera Named U.S. Poet Laureate

Juan Felipe Herrera is a poet, performer, writer, cartoonist, teacher, and activist. Herrera's experiences as the child of migrant farmers have strongly shaped his work.

• Born: December 27, 1948 (age 66), Fowler, California
• Nationality: American
• Partner: Margarita Robles
• Children: Joaquín Ramón Herrera

Juan Felipe Herrera Named U.S. Poet Laureate, The First Latino To Hold The Post

 |  By BRETT ZONGKER

Posted: 06/10/2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — A son of migrant farm workers in California, Juan Felipe Herrera will be the next U.S. poet in chief.

The Library of Congress announced Wednesday the appointment of Herrera as the nation's 21st poet laureate for 2015 through 2016, beginning in September. Herrera, 66, whose parents emigrated from Mexico, will be the nation's first Latino poet laureate since the position was created in 1936.
Librarian of Congress James Billington said he sees in Herrera's poems the work of an American original.

"His poems engage in a serious sense of play — in language and in image — that I feel gives them enduring power," Billington said in a written statement. "I see how they champion voices, traditions and histories, as well as a cultural perspective, which is a vital part of our larger American identity."
Some of the works Herrera said he most enjoyed writing were captured in "Half the World in Light," a book of poems lauded for his experimentation and for documenting his Chicano experience in America.

Herrera was born in 1948 in Fowler, California. His family of migrant workers moved often, at times living in tents and trailers along roads. His father learned English by paying fellow workers pennies to teach him each new word.

Herrera said he is humbled and overwhelmed to be named U.S. poet laureate and to be the first of Latino descent.

The laureate position involves crafting poetry projects and broadening the audience for poetry. The 2013-2014 poet laureate, Natasha Trethewey, launched a series of reports from locations nationwide for a "PBS News Hour" poetry series to explore societal issues.

For his term, Herrera is envisioning a program with the Library of Congress that he calls Casa de Colores — House of Colors — to include people of every color and cultural background. He may host voice ensembles with young people to engage with poetry, perhaps taking a poem by Walt Whitman and then having a group write a poem together to perform in spoken word or with music. Or perhaps the public could contribute to a national writing project by making submissions online.
"Yes, I am the first Latino poet laureate in the United States. But I'm also here for everyone and from everyone. My voice is made by everyone's voices," Herrera said.

At the same time, he said, he also wants to encourage more young Latino students to write and read and benefit from the Library of Congress' resources.

"You know, we speak about understanding each other, having those conversations nationwide — culturally, historically — and yet there's a lot of gaps," he said. "So I want to assist with closing the gap of knowing about and hearing about our Latino communities in terms of literature, in terms of writing.

"And I want our young Latinos and Latinas to write their hearts out and express their hearts out and let us all listen to each other."

Herrera grew up speaking Spanish in his early years and became ashamed to speak at school, so he shut down, he said. But he eventually found his voice through joining choirs in middle school and high school.

Herrera eventually graduated from UCLA, earned graduate degrees at Stanford and the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop, and built a career in teaching.

From 2012 to 2015, Herrera served as poet laureate of California. In March, he retired from teaching creative writing at the University of California, Riverside and is now a visiting professor in ethnic studies at the University of Washington.

Fowler, California, birthplace of poets 

Marvin X (1944) and Juan Felipe Herrera (1948)

Marvin X

Fowler, California is a small raisin growing town nine miles south of Fresno in the Central Valley.

 

Juan Felipe Herrera and Marvin X participated in the BAM Poet's Choir & Arkestra at the Black Arts Movement Conference, University of California, Merced, 2014 (A Kim McMIllan/Marvin X production) 

First row: Eugene Redman, Marshall Trammell, Tarika Lewis, Aries Jordan, Zena Allen, Avotcha Back row: Marvin X, Kalamu Chache', Juan Felipe Herrera, Tacuma King, Lakiba Pittman, Askia Toure, Genny Lim, Umar Bin Hassan, Ayodele Nzinga

Artist's Corner - Juan Felipe Herrera

WASHINGTON (AP) — A son of migrant farm workers in California, Juan Felipe Herrera will be the next U.S. poet in chief.

The Library of Congress announced Wednesday the appointment of Herrera as the nation's 21st poet laureate for 2015 through 2016, beginning in September. Herrera, 66, whose parents emigrated from Mexico, will be the nation's first Latino poet laureate since the position was created in 1936.

Black Bird Press News & Review: Book Review: Reginald James takes a peek at Marvin X's (Dr. M) manual for a Pan African Mental Health Peer Group

Black Bird Press News & Review: Book Review: Reginald James takes a peek at Marvin X's (Dr. M) manual for a Pan African Mental Health Peer Group

Sun Ra Mix Tapes

Last fall, Philadelphia Jazz Project developed a unique challenge for DJs, producers, electronic musicians, turntablists and anyone that understands the sampling sport. An open call was issued to this creative community to create instrumental tracks that could support vocals from singers, poets, and/or rappers, as well as solos by instrumentalists to honor the immeasurable imaginative genius of the late Philadelphia, visionary musician, philosopher, composer and band leader, Sun Ra [1914 to 1993] on the occasion of his 101st birthday May 22, 2015. Read More about the project. http://www.philajazzproject.org/index.php?post=announcing-sun-ra-mixtape-series#.VXcDkTdX4pp Listen to the mix tape at mix cloud. https://www.mixcloud.com/PhilaJazzProject/

Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP) works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community, with the larger goal of connecting to the global community. Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Painted Bride Art Center, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation. Our mailing address is: Philadelphia Jazz Project ℅ Painted Bride Art Center 230 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA  19103 http://www.philajazzproject.org

Marvin X meets his muse in Sacramento, Superwoman Fahizah Alim

 Marvin X and Muse Fahizah Alim

While attending the Sacramento Black Book Fair, Marvin X was blessed to have dinner with his longtime friend, student and muse, Fahizah Alim, editor emeritus at the Sacramento Bee. The two had dinner along with two current students of Mr. X, Aries Jordan and Prosperity Carter. Fahizah gave us a rare reading of her poetry, astounding Marvin and the budding writers. She gave many words of wisdom to the young women, including her analysis of the political personalities she's encountered in Sacramento. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed her Communications Director of a State Civil Rights Agency.

Prosperity Carter, Marvin X, Aries Jordan

Aside from reading their original poetry, Prosperity and Aries performed parables from Marvin's collection The Wisdom of Plato Negro, parables and fables, Black Bird Press, Berkeley CA. Aries did a dramatic reading of Parable of Woman on the Cell Phone, Prosperity choreographed his Parable of Woman in the Box. 

The Wild Crazy Ride Called the Marvin X Experience will participate in Juneteenth Festivals in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and possibly Fresno. 

Letter to Marvin X from the Sacramento Black Book Fair

Marvin,

  Thank you for coming to the Second Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair.  You were the fire.  It was delightful meeting you, seeing you, and hearing you in action.  You have quite a fan contingent in Sacramento.... But you were a great presence.  I"m so glad you came, and again, thank you.

    Dave Covin

Marvin X is available for readings/speaking engagements coast to coast. Call 510-200-4164. Send letter of invitation to jmarvinx@yahoo.com

Teaching While Black: Racism at Claremont MIddle School

What's Happening Black Oakland?

education

Teaching While Black: Exposing Institutional Racism at Claremont Middle School

Posted on May 8 by Black Oakland

 

Claremont Middle School is nestled in the affluent and predominantly white neighborhood known as Rockridge, Oakland. It is an open enrollment public institution consisting of a diverse socioeconomic population of students from all over the East Bay. Many parents send their children to Claremont in hopes of a better education, but something is amiss behind its school walls. There are talks of Claremont becoming a neighborhood school-welcome only to students found in the school’s backyard. To achieve this vision, the current administration is actively working to push out black students and teachers. In this year alone, the school has instituted inequitable student tracking, transferred and fired several black teachers, and eliminated a popular  Ethnic Studies program. “The school will be all white in 3-4 years,” states History and former Ethnic Studies teacher Kurt Kaakuahiuu.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the school administration is feasting off of a culture of exclusion and intimidation to achieve its end goal. Claremont has had a troubled history for many years due to a massive amount of administrative turnover. However this began to change when Reggie and Ronnie Richardson were hired in 2011. The Richardsons were co-principals who were turning the school around; so much so, they received local and nationwide press. However the Richardsons did not return for the 2014-2015 school year, accepting a position instead with a neighboring school district. Once again, Claremont was left in a state of transition. The staff at Claremont prepared to collaborate with new principal Jonathan Mayer and Vice Principal Tonia Coleman. Former Afterschool Site Coordinator Aries Jordan noted, “It was unfortunate when (the Richardsons) left but I stayed because I’m committed to the children… I wanted to support the students through this transition.”

Racially-Based Student Tracking

 “This is all about race.”

When asked about the leadership style of the current administration, the consensus is it’s an epic failure, and openly hostile to minority staff and students. Eighth grade History teacher Mirishae McDonald asserts that the current curriculum ”negatively impacts learning outcomes for students of color.” When asked to elaborate, she discussed an eighth grade program called the “Leadership Academy,” in which the lowest performing students are pulled out of the general school population and put into a class for the entire school day. The vast majority of these students are black and they are taught by a white teacher. It’s known among many students as “the dumb class.” The Leadership Academy is a controversial and inequitable practice in the field of education. While the black students are in the “Leadership Academy,” the remaining youth (primarily white) are getting a more enriching education. Mirishae McDonald harshly criticizes it, “It’s another way of tracking, and it’s not good for the development of the students.” Student tracking is a way to fuel institutional racism and there seems to be other ways that racism surfaces in the administration’s practices.
Kurt Kaaekuahiuu witnessed this firsthand during  a teacher meeting in which Principal Mayer stated, “This is all about race. We know that the white kids will go to places like Stanford or Berkeley with or without our help. We would be lucky if black students at best graduated from high school and went to a junior college.” Another tracking program-“Math Intensive”- is happening concurrently in 7th grade. It’s a class designed for the more advanced students. Math teacher Alonna Haulcy teaches both Math Intensive as well as the traditional math class and notes, “I do think there are some (black) kids who are capable of being in Math Intensive. I’ve expressed that to the principal. He said he would have the department head look at their test scores and I never heard back from him.”

Demoralizing Teachers of Color


“They’re not giving me my own voice.”

Another major problem is Principal Mayer’s top-down approach along with an outward hostility towards any staff member who attempts to question his methods. Kaaekuahiuu states, “From the beginning, Claremont was framed from a complete deficit model. They looked at everything that was wrong with the school without prior knowledge or asking teachers.That says a lot about who you are as a manager.” Kurt used to be the Ethnic Studies teacher until he received an email that the school would no longer support the class. A 7th grader at Claremont reflects on the cancelled Ethnic Studies program: “All the students were engaged because he went outside of the book. His whole class was decorated with Ethnic Studies quotes and pictures. They were torn down by the end of the year and I wondered why.” Alonna Haulcy also feels constricted, “They’re not giving me my own voice. She noted that she is the only veteran teacher who is getting five classroom evaluations; something that is only required for new teachers. When she inquired about it Mayor gave no explanation; but she’s the only black teacher on the list.

Aries Jordan also discusses her struggles working with the administration while coordinating the afterschool program which is “99.9 percent black.” Ms. Jordan had a difficult time running the program this year since the cafeteria burned down in February. Instead of the Claremont administration accommodating the program with unused classrooms in the school, they forced students to have their after school program outside despite cold weather conditions. Moreover,  Principal Mayer claimed that he wanted to make technology a priority in the afterschool program however, Jordan’s students weren’t allowed to use the computer lab or the 60 Macbooks and laptops owned by the school. “They recommended this technology program to us and then turned around and denied us access to the abundant resources available.” states Jordan. Finally, the administration conceded by loaning 4 outdated MacBooks to the entire program. Apparently the Claremont administration wants to institute a tuition policy at the after school program next year; yet another barrier to access students will be up against.

Removing Black Teachers

“Every person of color is leaving.” 

It started with Ms. Bebe, a staff member who challenged Principal Mayer’s thinking and also questioned his racial biases. Soon after, her position was consolidated and she was transferred. Mirishae McDonald was next. She continued to advocate for her students by questioning the administration’s tactics and was given a notice of non-reelect shortly afterward. A non-reelect is something that is possible for all teachers in OUSD to receive during their first two years of teaching. If a teacher receives a non-reelect, not only are they not allowed to teach in the school for the following year, but they are banned from teaching in OUSD. There is no due process and it’s left completely up to the principal’s discretion. According to Music teacher Vincent Tolliver-a teacher with 23 years of experience in OUSD,“Your evaluations are irrelevant. You can get good evaluations and it doesn’t matter. Unfortunately, it’s become a tool that an administrator can use to eliminate someone and not do their job of providing adequate training.”

Tolliver is also a member of the Oakland Educator’s Association who will soon conduct research for a report that investigates the disproportionate number of Oakland’s teachers of color who are non-reelected. He sees OUSD’s stated desire to recruit more teachers of color as lip service. “If you look at their practices, they’re not conducive to recruiting and retaining them.” Afterschool Site Supervisor Aries Jordan, was also fired by the administration through intimidation practices, and now other teachers are choosing to leave because of the hostile environment. Kurt Kaaekuahiuu and Vincent Tolliver will leave after this year, describing the work environment as “severely damaged.” Kurt looks on this experience solemnly. “I loved Claremont but now I feel incapacitated; not from the work but the professional culture of Claremont. People are devalued. Every single person of color is leaving.” Alonna Haulcy’s plans are unclear but she does admit that, “this is the first time I’ve wanted to leave.”
Moving Forward
 
“Classrooms are a political battlefront; being present everyday is a political act. Nothing is neutral.”
The New York Times recently published an article about racial disparities in the teaching field which showed that “despite the fact that minority students have become the majority in this country, more than 80 percent of teachers are white.” (Rich, 2015) The article cited this trend in major East Coast cities however, it’s something that extends into the city of Oakland. Claremont Middle School is not just an isolated incident of institutional racism fueled by poor leadership, it’s a microcosm highlighting the poor treatment of black teachers in the U.S public school system. It raises many questions regarding institutional racism, and if school systems truly believe in the ability and agency of black educators. When asked about his next steps, Kaaekuahiuu strongly states, “I needed a wake up call. I needed a grave reminder of the gross inequities and the systematic attack on black and brown communities. Classrooms are a political battlefront; me being present everyday is a political act. Nothing is neutral.” Aries Jordan reflects on her traumatic experience and remains hopeful and determined, “My goal is to connect my experience to what’s happening across the U.S. How many other educators of color are being pushed out?” Mirishae McDonald also remains courageously outspoken,  “I will not be bullied into silence. We need to come together and show that we are not afraid.”

The Marvin X Fan Club

This unidentified young lady told Marvin X she fell in love with him at the Sacramento Black Book Fair. She was impressed with what he said and how he said it. Then she Googled him and discovered more to make her love him.

Letter to Marvin X from the Second Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair

Marvin,

  Thank you for coming to the Second Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair.  You were the fire.  It was delightful meeting you, seeing you, and hearing you in action.  You have quite a fan contingent in Sacramento.... But you were a great presence.  I"m so glad you came, and again, thank you.

    Dave Covin

Black Bird Press News & Review: The Human Earthquake meets Dr. Nigger, poet Neal Hall, MD, author of the collection Nigger for Life

Black Bird Press News & Review: The Human Earthquake meets Dr. Nigger, poet Neal Hall, MD, author of the collection Nigger for Life

MUMIA IN THE NATION MAGAZINE

HiMarvin,

We are rising up for Mumia.  This past week we placed a full-page Ad in The Nation which calls for Mumia's freedom. 

Now, I'm calling on you to support us and help us as we cover the cost of the Ad.

We are doing this because we believe in Mumia's voice.  He reaches out to us, so we reach out for him.   Check out his new commentary "NSA Anyway" by Mumia Abu Jamal (2:12) 6-7-15

This Ad will act as a nation-wide catalyst for tens of thousands of people to join Desmond Tutu, Alice Walker and Cornel West by signing an Open Letter demanding medical treatment and freedom for Mumia.   

MARVIN X ADDS HIS NAME IN SUPPORT OF MUMIA.

Black Bird Press News & Review: Berkeley Juneteenth, Sunday, June 21, 2015

Black Bird Press News & Review: Berkeley Juneteenth, Sunday, June 21, 2015

The Human Earthquake meets Dr. Nigger, poet Neal Hall, MD, author of the collection Nigger for Life

Black Arts Movement poet Marvin X and poet Dr. Neal Hall of Philadelphia attended the Sacramento Black Book Fair. When Dr. Hall came to Marvin's chatroom today, he asked the poet to read his classic Dr. Nigger, from his internationally acclaimed collection Nigger for Life. Dr. Hall travels to India on June 9, 2015. Marvin X says, "I am a Nigguh fa life!: Translated: I am a bad motherfucker and I will chop off yo motherfuckin head if you fuck wit me in the wrong way!"

The meeting of Marvin X and Neal Hall, Sacrament Black Book Festival

Several years back, I reached out to Mr. Marvin X via his Blackbird blog. Marvin was generous to promote me and my work, not only in a series of blog posts, but actually on the street corners of Oakland, California.  His favorite poem being Dr. Nigger. A poem that many have enjoyed/requested throughout my world travels.  Shortly thereafter, we became great email friends

After many years of corresponding, Marvin X and I met - face to face - for the first time at the Sacramento Black Book Festival. Needless to say during ”his” sessions to speak on his work, this giant of civil rights and activism took time to acknowledge me and my work before his audience. And if that was not enough, he called upon me to read Dr. Nigger before his audience; not once but on two separate occasions.  Such lead to extremely generous and heart-felt introductions to and accolades by other giants of civil rights and the black arts movement such as Prof. Eugene Redmond, Prof. Halifu Osumare and Poet, Gene Howell, Jr.

N

Neal Hall, M.D.

NealHallpoet.com

Saturday, June 6, 2015, The Black Arts Movement panel at the 

Sacramento Black Book Fair

Marvin X

Eugene Redmond

Halifu Osumare

Dr. Nigger on the Streets of Oakland

Dr. Nigger on the Streets of Oakland


When Oakland folks stop by Marvin X's Academy of da Corner at 14th and Broadway, crossroads of the East Bay, he let's them peruse Journal of Pan African Studies, Poetry issue--he was guest editor. The poems people like, they proceed to read aloud. To date, the most oft-read poem is Dr. Nigger by Philadelphia poet/physician Dr. Neal Hall, author of Nigger for Life, 2009.

Dr. Nigger

Dr. Nigger
Can you cure me without
touching me with nigga hands
Can you save my life
without changing my life
Can you dance soft-shoe while
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
Dr. Nigger
Can you breathe in me
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
Can you reach past the life
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
Cure me without
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
--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.
Conversations LIVE! Radio http://conversationslive.blogspot.com

Marvin X was guest editor of the Journal of Pan African Studies poetry issue

 

The Journal of Pan African Studies works to become a beacon of light in the sphere of African world community studies and research, grounded in an interdisciplinary open access scholarly peer-reviewed construct, simultaneously cognizant of the multilingualism of our audience, and the importance of universal access in cyberspace; regardless of geography, economic, social or cultural diversity. ::More Information ::Editorial Board ::Contact The JPAS ::Instructions for submitting a manuscript

CURRENT ISSUE Volume 4 • Number 2 • 2010 This special issue of The Journal of Pan African Studies is edited by guest editor Marvin X and dedicated to Dingane aka Jose Goncalves, the publisher and editor of the Journal of Black Poetry, which has published some 500 poets. Groundation ● JPAS: Dedicated to Dingane, Jose Goncalves by Marvin X [ view PDF ] ● The Poets by Marvin X [ view PDF ] ● Letters to the Editor [ view PDF ] ● Dingane Joe Goncalves, The Journal of Black Poetry & Small Non-Commercial Black Journals by Rudolph Lewis [ view PDF ] [ view PDF ] In My Negritude ● Shaggy Flores, Ras Griot, Phavia Kujichagulia, Chinwe Enemchukwu, L. E. Scott, Rodney D. Coates, J. Vern Cromartie, Dike Okoro, Neal E. Hall, Marvin X, Mohja Kahf, Ayodele Nzingha, Askia M. Toure, Michael Simanga, Amiri Baraka, Kalamu ya Salaam, Kola Boof, Louis Reyes, Rivera, Aries Jordan, Ptah Allah El, and Hettie V. Williams [ view PDF ] ● Teaching Diaspora Literature: Muslim American Literature as an Emerging Field by Mohja Kahf [ view PDF ] ● Mother Earth Responds by Askia Toure reviewed by Kamaria Muntu [ view PDF ] ●Tainted Soul by T. Ptah Mitchell reviewed by Zulu King [ view PDF ] The Whirlwind ● Tracey Owens Patton, devorah major, Anthony Mays, Bruce George, Jeanette Drake, Itibari M. Zulu, Renaldo Manuel Ricketts, Nandi Comer, Al Young, Ghasem Batamuntu, Mona Lisa Saloy, Eugene B. Redmond, Fritz Pointer, Gwendolyn Mitchell, Felix Orisewike Sylvanus, Rudolph Lewis, Kamaria Muntu, Ed Bullins, Mabel Mnensa, Kwan Booth, and Tureeda Mikell [ view PDF ] ● Poetic Mission: A Dialogue on the Role of the Poet and Poetry by Rudolph Lewis (dialogue team: Marvin X, Jerry Ward, Mary Weems, and C. Leigh McInnis) [ view PDF ] ● The Poetic Mission: Art II: Reviewing a Life, A Calling by Haki R. Madhubuti [ view PDF ] Amour of Ancestors ● Everett Hoagland, Charles Blackwell, Jacqueline Kibacha, John Reynolds III, Darlene Scott, Jimmy Smith Jr., Sam Hamud, Opal Palmer Adisa, Amy ‘Aimstar’ Andrieux, Lamont b. Steptoe, Avotcja Jiltonilro, Anthony Spires, Benecia Blue, Neil Callender, Tanure Ojaide, Pious Okoro, Tony Medina, Dr. Ja A. Jahannes, Brother Yao, Zayad Muhammad, Nykimbe Broussard, Kilola Maishya, Niyah X, Adrienne N. Wartts, Greg Carr, Darlene Roy, Tantra Zawadi, Ishmael Reed, Quincy Scott Jones, Bob McNeil, Ariel Pierson, Marie Rice, Yvonne Hilton, Bolade Akintolayo, Latasha Diggs, Felton Eaddy, and B. Sharise Moore [ view PDF ] Reviews, News, Views ● Medical Mythologyby Ramal Lamar [ view PDF ] ● Qaddafy’s Apology for Arab Slavery: A Dialogue Between Poetsby Rudolph Lewis, Sam Hamud, and Kola Boof [ view PDF ] ● Prize and Award: Chinua Achebe and Haki R. Madhubuti [ view PDF ] ● Two Poets in Oakland: Ishmael Reed and Marvin Xby Ishmael Reed and Marvin X [ view PDF ] ● A Pan African Dialogue on Cuba: From Black Bird Pressby Dead Prez, Carlos Moore, Pedro de la Hoz, and North American African Activist, Intellectuals and Artist [ view PDF ] ● Black Arts West Celebrates Amiri Baraka at 75a photos essay by Kamau Amen-Ra [ view PDF ] ● Amiri Baraka Entertains SF: ‘Lowku’ versus Haiku Revives Fillmore Spiritby Lee Hubbard and Marvin X [ view PDF ] For a print version of Journal of Pan African Studies, Poetry issue, contact Black Bird Press, 1222 Dwight Way, Berkeley CA 94702, 475 pages, $49.95. Your donation supports Academy of da Corner, 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland.

Human Earthquake hits Sacramento suffering 95 degree heat

 Sacramento's North American African Mayor Kevin Johnson addresses Sacramento Book Fair

Mayor Johnson, President of the US Conference of Mayor's, received a call from President Obama after the Mayor  got US Mayors to endorse his trade agreement. UMass professor Bill Strickland blasted the Mayor for endorsing an agreement that is a secret. Professor Strickland is seated on the left.

Marvin X's memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, written in three weeks in Houston, Texas

The Human Earthquake hit Sacramento, adding to the 95 degree heat--with no breeze, something the Human Earthquake loves about the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area. But no breeze in Sac, the capital of California, as if the Human Earthquake is not used to the Central Valley weather, having been raised in Fresno where it used to be 113 degrees at midnight.

The Human Earthquake was not a stranger to Sacramento, having lived in the Oak Park District during his addiction to Crack cocaine in the 90s. For a time he lived on La Soledad Ave. with his Black Arts Movement mentor Alonzo Harris Batin. Alonzo Batin, a career criminal, recruited the Black Arts West Theatre crew into the Nation of Islam, including Duncan Barber, Hillery Broadous, Ethna Wyatt and Marvin X. BAW members playwright Ed Bullins and Carl Bossisere (cousin of Michael and Ted Lange) did not join but were also impacted by the BAM guru Batin, who'd spent time in San Quentin with Eldridge Cleaver, author of Soul on Ice, who Marvin X introduced to Black Panther co-founders Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. Eldridge, immediately joined the BPP and became Minister of Information.

Another Black Panther named Earl Anthony, aka, Earl the Squirrel, wrote a play about Eldridge and Alonzo Batin, produced off-Broadway by Woody King.

As per the Oak Park District, Marvin suggested it would be nice to name a street in honor of the Black Arts District. And if Sac wants to really honor the Black Arts District, rename Solidad Way Alonzo Batin Way. Again, he was the chief guru of the Black Arts West Theatre on Fillmore and Turk in San Francisco. Scholars will never honor a street criminal Muslim who recruited the Black Arts West Theatre into the Nation of Islam. Of course, BAW could not accept the NOI discipline, we know all Muslim artists drift toward the Sufi Way. BAW members read Hazrat Innyat Khan, Rumi, Gazzali and other Suffi poets, including the West African Sufi Masters such as Bamba. In the end, BAW members Duncan Barbar and Hillary Broadous became full fledged members of the Nation of Islam. Although Carl Bossiere, Hillary Broadous and Duncan Barber fled to the East Coast and connected with Amiri Baraka in Newark, they drifted into the NOI, although Carl resisted. He was Imamu Amiria Baraka's secretary while AB was associated with Karenga's Al Kaida cult.

AB's connection with Karenga ended with the murder of Alprentice Bunchy Carter and John Huggins in the BSU meeting room on the campus of UCLA. Baraka told Marvin X Karenga was with him when he got the message Bunchy and John had been assassinated. According to AB it was the end of their relationship.

Back to Black Arts Movement Guru Alonzo Batin

Batin had photographer Norman Brown photograph Marvin and Ethna Wyatt for an article that appeared in Muhammad Speaks on how BAM had gone coast to coast.

The Human Earthquake also has a plethora of cousins in Sacramento, two were present at the Sacramento Black Book Fair reception at Underground Books and the Guild Theatre, Stan Murrill and Michael Benjamin. Michael is a member of the Sacramento Black Arts Movement. He has produced and directed plays in Sac for decades, often working with Paul Carter Harrison. He is quick to let people know he and Marvin X are family!

Of course, he calls his muse, former Sacramento Bee writer Fahizah Alim, Lois Lane. But in fact she was Superwoman for Sacramento North American Africans. When in trouble, Blacks in Sac called Fahizah to voice their problems with white supremacy. She is a Marvin X student. He is accompanied at the Sacramento Black Book Fair by two current students mentored at his Academy of da Corner, 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland, Aries Jordan and Prosperity Carter. Fahizah describes his writing as "orgasmic"!

After the reception at Underground Books, two panel discussions were held next door at the Guild Theatre; a panel on the Voting Rights Act with Professor Bill Strickland and Professor Pinderhughes and a panel on the Black Arts Movement with Professor Emeritus Eugene Redmond and BAM co-founder Marvin X, aka, The Human Earthquake. You've already heard Professor Strickland's remarks on the trade bill. In his conclusion on the Voting Rights Bill, the professor confessed he had to submit to the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad who said the white man is the devil!
Professor Pinderhughes essentially said the same, they are obstructionists, devious, diabolical, in the attempt to keep Blacks and other minorities from voting.

The Black Arts Movement panel began with Marvin X: in the words of Paul Robeson, we are artistic freedom fighters. Art and culture prompted the Black Power revolution of the 60s, thus the power of art and culture. He quoted Mrs. Amina Baraka, "Everybody who say they was in the Black Arts Movement wasn't in the Black Arts Movement."

Larry Neal said BAM was the sister of the Black Arts Movement. Marvin X said BAM was the mother of the Black Power Movement. He quoted Huey Newton: "Marvin X was my teacher. Many of our comrades came through his Black Arts Theatre, i.e., Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver, Emory Douglas, Samuel Napier, et al."

He told of a recent speech by Virtual Murrell, representing Bobby Seale, who said at the 50th Anniversary of Peralta Colleges in Oakland, including Merritt College where Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, and Marvin X were students: "It was when Marvin X brought his play Flowers for the Trashman to Merritt in support of the Soul Students Advisory Council, that the Merritt student movement took off, powered by the Black Arts of Marvin X."

As a demonstration of how cunning and vile the addiction to white supremacy can be, Marvin X told the Sacramento folks that a white man seated at his table ($175.00 dinner) said to him after the remarks by Virtual Murrell, "If I'd known you were somebody important, I would have had a conversation with you!"

The audience  succumbed to the Human Earthquake. After his presentation, Marvin X was mobbed by the audience. A young married woman said she was in love with him. Marvin X told her, "If you are in love with me, leave your husband tonight and come with me." A 60 year old woman let him know she was ready to rock and roll with him. He told her, "It ain't about your age, it's about your energy. I know some 29 year old women who are tired and need to take some Geritol! A 23 year old woman told me, "I thought you was an old man!"

 Marvin X at his Academy of da Corner, 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland, renamed the Black Arts Movement District. He claims his classroom is the most dangerous in the world. FYI, in was the site of the Oscar Grant rebellion, Occupy Oakland and Black Lives Matter. During Occupy Oakland, the poet was tear gassed.
photo Adam Turner

Graphics Adam Turner

We suspect Marvin X will be mobbed whenever he speaks Saturday and Sunday at the SAC Book Fair. SAC was inspired by the energy in his words, and the truth!

Blue Nile Press and Community Partners
invite you to the opening events for the
Second Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair

All on Friday, June 5, 2015

6:00PMOpening Reception to meet and greet the featured writers
at underground Books,2814 35^th Street, Sacramento CA 95817

6:45PMOpening Panel Discussion by the featured writers

at The Guild Theater
2828 35^th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817
(Next door to underground books)
9:00PMPost Panel Mixer
Live jazz, refreshments, and opportunity to converse with
featured speakers and participating authors
at the Brickhouse Art Gallery, 2837 36^th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817

Please RSVP by Sunday, May 31, 2015 to Faye Wilson Kennedy (916) 484-3749 or emailing:Faye at Faye@bluenilepress.com

2015 Co-Sponsors/Community Partners:

African Research Institute

Black United Fund of Sacramento Valley

Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour

Black Bird Press

The Black Group

Brickhouse Art Gallery

Blue Nile Press

City of Sacramento – Neighborhood Services Department

Friends of the Sacramento Public Library

Jtenterprise

Roberts Family Development Center

Sacramento Area Black Caucus

Sacramento City Councilmember Allen Warren

The Sacramento City Teachers Association

Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Hansen

Teichert Foundation

The Talking Drums News

Colonial Heights Library Affiliated Friends

Kakwasi Somadhi

Underground Books

Sacculturalhub.com

Drexel University Sacramento

Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,Eta Gamma Omega Chapter

Sacramento Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Fred and Ruth Foote

ZICA Creative and Literary Guild

Center for African Peace & Conflict Resolution, CSUS

Black Humanists and Non-Believers of Sacramento

Sacramento Section- The National Council of Negro Women

Mary McLeod Bethune Readers are Leaders Club

Tracy & Symia Stigler

Young Scholars –Calvary Christian Center

Sacramento Poetry Center

Sister to Sister Book Group

100 Black Men of Sacramento

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Felicia Armelin

Brenda’s Mane Event

Black Parallel School Board

Literary Ladies Alliance

The Merritt Law Clinic

Sisters Quilting Collective

NIA –Women of Purpose

Leslie Wilson Kennedy

Sacramento Chapter-Black Child Development Institute

Pam Haynes

Black Images Book Club

The Borden Family

OBBC (Book Club)

Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce

Allegro Book Club

Sacramento Public Library Foundation

The California Endowment

The Office of Campus Community Relations, University of California, Davis

Los Rios Community College District

Roy Kaufman

Sacramento Observer Newspapers

California Black Chamber of Commerce

 Endorsed by:

Mayor Kevin Johnson

Women's Civic Improvement Club

Oak Park United Methodist Church

Guild Theater

Sacramento City Unified School District

Sacramento Public Library

Assembly member Kevin McCarty

California Legislative Black Caucus

916Ink

Crocker Art Museum

Sacramento Area Youth Speaks (SAYS)

Thank you and join the celebration!!!