3 posts tagged “african-american studies”

Today my heart cringed as the ultimate verbal assassination took place in front of me.

It was day two of the [final] semester. One class in particular, I've been thirsting for. You see, once upon a time, I took a poetry class taught by the infamous poet Tony Medina. It was during the spring 2005 semester, before I took my personal sabbatical from school. At the time I didn't know how much of a big deal Medina is until students who weren't even registered for the class broke their necks to sit in on a session to watch and listen. I loved every moment of that hour and 20 minute class. It was my time and space to sink into my Aquarius Abyss and pull out from depths unknown hidden words. I loved the books he had us read; a poetry book by Audre Lourde and another by Nikki Finney. He even shared some of his own published work, including the then newly anthology he co-edited "Def Jam Presents: Bumrush The Page."

I still recall the day an arrogant I'm-so-full-swag-I-can-spit-a-poem-in-two-seconds-and-serve-you dude dared to challenge Medina. Little did he know who he was dealing with and ended up being [respectfully] told off. It was also here where he talked about how old school poets like him and Nikki Giovanni will go to an open mic and will show respect by staying until the last poet has spoken.

As we "urban" folks say.. he dropped jewels.

Today he dropped more jewels as nearly eight of us wanted to know our fate for the Creative Writing Workshop class. It seems that since Medina's first days on Howard's campus, he's become very selective in who he allows to register for his classes. During registration, his classes are always listed as open, but are blocked, unless he authorizes. This is part of his process to see who is serious and who is just plan ol' bullshitting.

To start the process he went around the room asking us a few not-so-random things, but mainly what are some things we like to read. I watched his expression become a little perplexed and intrigued at the same time as two classmates expressed their not-so-fondness towards reading. Both mentioned they do read but one, however, claimed it would depend on whatever the literature is and if forced to read, she would, but other wise she wasn't enthused. The other said the ultimate as he expressed how reading is still pretty much "illegal" in his eyes because society still doesn't think it's cool to read. When Medina asked him to name a poet, his only response was Lauryn Hill. Granted "L-Boogie" can flow and drop knowledge on a whole slew of so-called rappers/hip-hop artists out here, but as Medina pointed how there is a sure fire guarantee that she's read something, she's studied someone. Medina asked the young fella has he heard of Sonia Sanchez.

Answer: no.

Shots fired!

Ears Ringing!

I heard a confused sigh released from another classmate. My own heart stopped and my guts, teeth..entire body cringed. Without warning, I didn't realize I was ready to rip into this 21 year old, until Medina beat me to it and I felt my body relax. Again Medina dropped jewels as he explained to the entire group, but mainly to the two non-enthused readers, that in order to become a good writer you have to read, study the art form, READ other writers & poets. He pretty much reiterated something he shared with the poetry class I took that '05 semester; when your thoughts are dry, go to the well. It's a lesson I NEVER forgot and ALWAYS carry with me.

The "Forced Reader" took offense and became somewhat defensive. Medina softened his tone a bit in order for her to see his point - it's pretty much a painter telling someone he paints but can't explain his craft. We spent the whole class time talking about the importance of reading, especially as it pertains to a writer or someone who aspires to write. At some point Medina felt compelled to share his experience when he fell in love with reading, which helped him realize he wanted to be a writer. He made the point that his home life growing up wasn't filled with books. It took a teacher from the 9th grade to almost fail him for not doing a book report for him to pick up a book - Flowers for Algernon - and read.  

As the discussion rolled on, I couldn't help but wonder what is with some of the folks in my generation who are younger than me and teeter on the borderline of being in someone else's generation. You would think, being on anyone's college campus that one would want to seek and even have a thirst for as much knowledge as possible that reading shouldn't even be a question nor a chore. Yet, in the past year since I've returned to campus I've notice something that kind of bothers me, that goes beyond taking a college education for granted. Intellectual laziness.

I noticed this last semester as I finished up my journalism courses and was pretty much in an intense, almost journalism boot camp world. It was only just a few years earlier, that our instructors expected and demand so much from us journalism students that we frequently gave 110 percent PLUS. Yet, during a time when I had to serve as an editor of one of the school run publications, I noticed how a lot of "reporters" were turning in regurgitated stories from other news sources (ugh!!) or opinionated pieces and not going deeper; like finding a new angle to a story while staying objective.

Granted the population of Howard is large (not sure of exact number), so I know not ALL of us are suffering from this sleepiness, but I have to ask of those that are feeling it, where is your quest for a challenge? Where has education "failed" you?

Then a general question: Why have we, descendants of slaves and civil rights children have taken EDUCATION, especially READING so lightly or for granted? As Medina pointed out, this sleepiness or laziness to read is generally across the board, but when it comes to US, the children of Linda Brent, Ella Baker, Frederick Douglass, W.E. B. Dubois.. and even from Sarah Bartmann you would think we would have a greater appreciation for it....

There are some of us who get it and some of us who don't.

Today, my heart actually bled for those that don't.  

Shots Fired.....

The so-called "senior-itis" decided to hit me this week. This week of all weeks where classes are ending on Thursday and I have a mountain of things to complete. Well not exactly a mountain, but enough to have me feeling coo-coo. Or perhaps nothing at all. Maybe my resistance to being overwhelmed has taken over. So much so that I practically don't want to do anything right now.

I have news articles to complete, but that's no biggie. My biggest "worry" has been with my Black Aesthetics class. Thankfully the research paper was knocked down to just a proposal. Cool beans right? Even cooler, the due date for it is the official end to the semester, May 6, in which grades for non-graduating folks have to be turned in. This Thursday two 7-10 page book reviews have to be completed for the same class. This is where my concentration is nonexistent.

It's not that I didn't read the books to do the review and answer the questions within the format. The problem is these books are heavily philosophical in attempting to understand African rationality on life through art and cultural practices. So to me the books were filled with over stuffed rhetoric to make one simple point, which means I'm combing through the language to find the central point/answer to the questions being asked.  My original goal was to have the two reviews completed by the end of the weekend. I attempted to start, even as far as today. I actually did start, but I couldn't stay focused.

I woke up this morning taking my time to get on campus. By the end of the day I was a bit freaked out because those damn book reviews still aren't complete. I figured once I have these reviews done, everything else is smooth sailing (cause it pretty much is). Still my mind wants to focus on the interview I'm conducting tomorrow at the Capitol, following up on internship potentials, possibly going to Baltimore on Saturday to see Kel and of course the family room furniture that is being delivered tomorrow so that means clearing out more space in the midst of the (minor) construction junk left behind.

Here it is 1:13 am.

I stopped my work to chit chat on my instant messenger and even pop a spice cake in the oven. As I was mixing the cake batter I said to myself....

"I'll ask for an extension. I have too much going on. The home renovations (what's left of it), the back to back news coverage I'm handling lately and plus the editing for the website. Dr. C will understand. I can turn in the reviews along with the proposal on the 6th."

And so this is what I have resigned my thinking to.

What a load off.

What's interesting...

A young lady sent me an email yesterday. She was suppose to have turned in her article by the deadline I had set, but missed it. Her email explained her missed deadline as she went into detail about how she suffered an anxiety attack and under a doctor's care, placed on bedrest. She further went into story ideas for the next issue and promising to submit a story ASAP. 

She could have been faking, but I doubt it. Her email didn't drip of lies. Feeling compelled my response to her was...

Hello "Student,"
 
First and foremost.. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.. take care of yourself. Trust me, I've been there (anxiety attacks) a few times. It's probably nothing more than feeling overwhelmed. Please if you ever feel overwhelmed.. take a a break even if it is for a day or two to do absolutely nothing. Just anything to get your mind together and mentally back on track. It's hard.. believe me I know.. but it's truly a must do.
 
Second.. the last budget meeting for "news website" was last Tuesday. Being that this is the last working week of the semester I think whatever is due for today is it. Did you need to fulfill a story requirement for one of your classes? If so, you may have to speak to your professor, Professor "L" (who helps run "news website") or see "Department Chair."
 
Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Yanno... mental health issues concerning black women, especially college age black women, are really near and dear to me. I really need to get on the ball and move forward with my quasi-proposed documentary. It's needed.

As for the young lady, she thanked me for my advice.

As for myself.. I'm taking it.

Hence the extension I need to ask for.  

Maybe I should be giving Obama my full attention as he is giving his press conference. He's on my tube. He's in the background. I'm half listening and half writing, working. I should be watching for the simple fact that tonight could prove to be further interesting for a fellow journalism professional. I feel kinda funny mentioning her by name in my personal blog, but we had a rather interesting conversation today. She's based at my school and in a couple of weeks I will be working with her in producing a couple of stories for a national news wire service. I ran a couple of my ideas by her today to get her feedback; one including the black press core that is "housed" at the White House.

My interest was sparked after visiting Essence Magazine's website a day or two after the first Presidential press conference. I ran across a blog of one of the columnists on the site who described her experience as being part of the press attending a White House press conference. She "painted" a Cinderella story. Soon after, I learned that other black publications or publications that cater to the Black community were apart of the white house press. So naturally my curiosity radar was on alert as I worked on finding an angle. I had hoped to work out the details in time for it to be a black history article, but time was running short and I did something else.

When I mentioned this to (I'll call her..) Ms. Chestnut she immediately beamed. She is currently working on such a story, based on her experience during the first press conference. It seems that I missed an angle as I was (probably) working too hard and too quick to find one. Apparently there has been a little tiff with the black press verses Obama. It's something that when Ms. Chestnut did a quick online search on the topic it in front of me, Google immediately spit out the thousands of relevant search results. She clicked on a link whose headline read "Obama Snubs Black Press." She explained briefly to me what happened. Basically those representing black press organizations were seated in the front row, but didn't get to ask any questions.

Ms. Chestnut took offense and is mentioned in several publications, blogs (Including Huffington Post) with her quote.

When I came home I did the same online search and browsed a few of the articles and blogs on the topic. One blog put the black press organizations on blast saying that if their stories were accurate and not full of BS with out of context quotes, then maybe the White House would take them seriously. After reading that, I thought back to my conversation with Ms. Chestnut. During our talk she briefly told me there is a difference between those that are part of the White House press as they represent other news organizations and those that are sent there to just cover the press conference.

Another blog entry I came across, written by an African American, thought it was unfair for the black press to cry victim and even question if folks are that jaded to think that Obama should give special treatment to blacks. I kind of chuckled at that thought, because clearly that's not what it is about, at least not from Ms Chestnut's point of view. Ms. Chestnut represents a highly respected and credible news organization. All she wants is to be treated or given the same respect as any other "major mainstream" news media outlet is given at the White House.

Ms. Chestnut invited me to join her or help her with the story. I didn't say yes, but I didn't say no either. Actually she is waiting to see how things go tonight. If Obama will be more fair and show equal treatment to the black news organizations that are there. If not, she's ready to write. Will I help? It remains to be seen.