All posts tagged: books
“Mother America”
Mother America by Kristin Richardson Jordan America is the abusive mother I never should have had Way to young to have children She never really wanted me anyway Yet here I am outside the womb and taking up space Somehow she bore those hours of labor and nursed me so as a child I managed not to die but I still have this suicidal behavior and I won’t forget the times we’ve fought and how she beat me, my next of kin just so selfish yet still my mother I am often ashamed to admit that I often wonder if I might actually kill her in the middle of the night like it was just all wrong from the start but now it’s all stated and she’s right here and I’m right here as America still gave birth to me (c)2015 Kristin Richardson Jordan This post is responding toTiff Roma‘s 5 day poem challenge. This is my first of 5. I challenge Xi’an X Powers, Paris Amari, Raymond Vasquez, Janet Williams, K Qamar Cruz, …
TOMORROW A Lighter Shade of Black by Janet E. Williams
A Lighter Shade of Black by Janet Williams is now at sister’s uptown bookstore PUBLIC READING AND BOOK SIGNING Tomorrow!! Wednesday Feb 25th 6pm – 8pm at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore 1942 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10032 (212) 862-3680 All are welcome!! Lilly has just enough black not to be white and just enough white not to be black. As a slave caught in between two worlds she is kept out of the sun so as not to be burned by it’s rays and to keep her skin that tinge that the massa wanted. She is taught that she is slave yet she is also different from other slaves, distanced from those who work the fields. Her mother worries constantly about her virginity. In a boarder line that keeps her from fully feeling a part of either world, Lilly entertains notions of freedom while struggling with various challenges and figuring out her identity as a creamed colored girl. Through all her challenges, Lilly somehow finds the courage to redefine herself and chart a new path. This is …
NEW TITLE: A Lighter Shade of Black by Janet E. Williams (Feb 25th)
Lilly has just enough black not to be white and just enough white not to be black. She is a Slave caught between two worlds… Pens Up Press is proud to announce a newly published book from our press: A Lighter Shade of Black by emerging author Janet E. Wilson! Book release, public reading and book signing on the 25th 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore in Harlem, New York. All are welcome!! Details on the book and book signing below.
Great Quote: “Poverty is not an accident.” – Nelson Mandela
“Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings” – Nelson Mandela I found myself thinking of this quote today as I agree with Nelson Mandela’s words.
TOMORROW 1/29 Liberation Open Mic at 7pm
Liberation Mic! TOMORROW Thursday January 28th, 7:00pm at the ANSWER COALITION OFFICE 2295 7th Ave. Harlem, NY 10030 Free!! (just $5 suggested donation, no one turned away) Sponsored by Uproar Poetry ALL ART WELCOME Come share a poem, story, rap, song, dance, comedy routine, instrumental piece…whatever moves you…or just come listen. This months theme is “Black Liberation”
No One Can Stop The Rain
Sharing this Assata poem and powerful video… No One Can Stop The Rain A poem by Assata Shakur Watch, the grass is growing. Watch, but don’t make it obvious. Let your eyes roam casually, but watch! In any prison yard, you can see it – growing. In the cracks, in the crevices, between the steel and the concrete,
THIS THURSDAY 12/11 Liberation Open Mic at 7pm – Free! Harlem Event
Liberation Mic! THIS Thursday December 11th, 7:00pm at the ANSWER COALITION OFFICE 2295 7th Ave. Harlem, NY 10030 Free!! (just $5 suggested donation, no one turned away) Sponsored by Uproar Poetry, the ANSWER Coalition ALL ART WELCOME Come share a poem, story, rap, song, dance, comedy routine, instrumental piece…whatever moves you…or just come listen. This months theme is “Women in Struggle”
Hasan Salaam Performing last night at the RESIST open mic
As promised in yesterday’s post about the RESIST open mic, here’s a poem on resistance from Hasan Salaam. Thoughts? Please leave a comment below… Interested in sharing a poem or upcoming event? Contact Us
Follow Up to Black Lives Matter – Violent NYPD Police at a Non-Violent Protest video
Quick follow up to my do black lives matter post from earlier today. Cops stopping completely unarmed peaceful protestors at the Mike Brown solidarity march, show of force, 3 arrest made (most aggressive moments are just after the 4min mark).
