Riding the Wave

It is a great time to be living in Columbus. I guess it could just be me because it seems like everyday I’m here someone says that they are bored. Life as a community organizer however has been high pace and the high octane people I am constantly in the company of keeps me motivated and in good spirits. The summer officially began on Monday and Columbus is feeling the heat. So I guess it is fair to say that when it comes to organizing if you can’t take the heat then stay out of the summer time!

Poetry and progressive thinking tends to go hand and hand. I got introduced to my mentor Ha2tim at a poetry spot and it was him who introduced me to C J and the LYVEF. Since the day I enter a spoken word poetry show for the first time, I have experienced an entirely new side of life, and poetry has been there every step of the way. I have heard, written or performed what seems like a poem for possible human emotion but I am always inspired by the art form and people’s ability to articulate their inner environment.

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Kwesi Low

Muhibb Dyer Preps for the Debut of His Play

MILWAUKEE, WI – Renowned community activist and national poet, Muhibb Dyer is on a mission to take you on an intimate journey of a people’s struggle from early civilization to present time; an intricate look through the eyes, words and sounds of one man’s poetry that captures the essence of several generational stages of Hope, Triumph and Heartbreak.

photo by Isaiah Merriweather

Join that journey on Saturday, February 20th, 2010, with the one man stage play entitled, “From Kings, To Thugs, To Presidents” at the nostalgic Miramar Theatre located at 2844 N. Oakland Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This powerful stage play is executive produced by the host and co-founder of Poetry Unplugged (PU), Kwabena Antoine Nixon.

Kwabena Antoine Nixon and Muhibb Dyer are undeniably two of the most dynamic elements in our community that are cultivating a scene of positive and influential change with a local and national following of sold out events. Their penetrating poetry reaches the core of their audiences painting real life scenarios geared towards societal issues with a mirror effect. Their “Flood the Hood with Dreams” seminars serve as a catalyst to diminish violence within our communities by empowering you to dream big and achieve your goals by getting past your environment and background so that you can receive your dreams by taking responsibility of your future.

Much like the late activist Malcolm X, they have encountered similar trials in their lifetime that was enough to make them fall victim to the streets adding to the statistics in the African American community for black males. But instead they are using their life’s experiences as a spring board to motivate others through poetry and inspiration that will create change regardless of your current environment.

You don’t want to miss this powerful performance by one of America’s leading master poets, Muhibb Dyer. Doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10.00.

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The Editor

A Poem by Bobby Drake: “I Am Somebody”

Check out this powerful poem by Bobby Drake. B.Drake is a League Alum and Milwaukee based spoken word artist and producer. Police brutality is real, and it’s a relic of 20th century thinking. We can’t let the bad apples continue to spoil the bunch. Go here to learn your rights!!

Bobby Drake — “I Am Somebody” by 99problemsdotorg

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The Editor

An Ode to Chris Matthews!

Below is a clip from spoken word artist Mario Willis. It’s a freewrite inspired by Chris Matthews’ “I forgot Obama was Black” comment. Willis is a poet out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and often juxtaposes humor and sorrow in his poetry to talk about the struggles of inner city America. Check out his “challenge”, it’s pretty funny, yet extremely poignant. The rest of the freewrite is after the jump, and it is pretty damn entertaining as well.

photo by Isaiah Merriweather

** a challenge**
for the next week every time someone says something smart or important, remark that you forgot their race. Like “Wow, you did a good job today Tom, I forgot you were German”, “nice report Patty, i forgot you were Polish”, “Thanks for the help with my homework, Chananya, I forgot you were a jew”…

more of Mario’s freewrite after the jump.
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Posted by:

Biko Baker