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A Face with Purpose “Go Work for Peace!”
Gil Scott-Heron, an African-American truth troubadour passed away last year. It was all in the words. There were no gimmicks, no staging, nothing to take you away from the truth of his message. His poems and music are timeless. Revisit.
Here is a video of photos of Gil Scott-Hereon by Monique de Latour
The Irony is that some of the insight contained within Scott-Heron poems did not spare him a difficult existence (my judgement, of course) and may have consumed him. Substitute the addiction and it is the same story.
“See that black boy over there, runnin’ scared his ol’ man’s in a bottle. He done quit his 9 to 5 to drink full time so now he’s livin’ in the bottle. See that Black boy over there, runnin’ scared his ol’ man got a problem Pawned off damn near everything, his ol’ woman’s weddin’ ring for a bottle. And don’t you think it’s a crime when time after time, people in the bottle.” Gil Scott-Heron, “The Bottle”
“Go away, I can’t stand to see your face Cuz you seen the weakest link And now you know I’m only human Instead of all the things I’d like to be” Gilbert Scott-Heron April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011
It seems our hero’s always disappoint and our excuses for them just doesn’t cut it. Their suffering, family, race etc. are not necessarily the cause of their genius or their personal desperation. They are often unable to see themselves, the good and the bad that they produce in their lives. They see themselves as being exempt. Gil Scott-Heron was able to see himself and didn’t like what he saw, but he didn’t see enough to care to change his ways. He just could not inspire himself.
“I had read how great I was before I disappeared. It makes me afraid to show up.” From New York Is Killing Me by Alec Wilkinson. The New Yorker Mag.
Melancholia
Just see this movie, make up your own mind and then see it again and come to a different conclusion and repeat. Give up on getting it right or choosing sides – it’s great or it’s horrible – take your side.
A Tribute to Miles – Cool Like That
This Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Black Poet Ventures present “Cool Like That” : A Tribute To the Genius of Miles Davis”
Scores: HBO’s “Brave New Voices”
Team Denver "Brave New Voices" 2010
I don’t recall every feeling vindicated when listening to a poem before. “Scores” by Eli Lynch, Elizabeth Cheever and Libby Howard, begins to address issues that I have with having to rank everything. I personally think that creating scores for art work does a dis-services to the artist and the audience.
There is a ton of good happening with HBO/Russell Simmons “Brave New Voices”. Some of the reality portrayed in the poetry is heart braking, angry and raw. The bad for me is that the poetry is written and performed to get a score, putting the reality of the poem in jeopardy. And the score somehow is a reflection on who you (the writer) are, who you will be or even who you will never become.
That was sad, angry, emotional but not enough suffering you get a five. Crazy.
Think about it, this is crueler then the obviously fake “American Idol” or “Dancing with the (Fading) Stars” and says your life, your experiences is only valuable as the score we give you. Three, four or even ten people sitting behind a desk can’t and should not even be allowed to judge you. It’s a shame everything has to be a contest. When the questioned is asked the answer is always the same, “it not really about the score, but we don’t have another way of picking a winner”, as if winner and score are not related. Thanks Team Denver for calling them out or was it for the score?
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Book Corner: Joel’s Poems
“There and Back…” is a book of lovely, powerful and very personal poems from Dr. Joel Martin, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, daughter, sister, mother, wife.
Although a slim volume, it is weighty in content. Yes, there are admissions of discomfort and pain that accompanies illness, but the poems are full of thanks and fond remembrances. You have to admire Joel’s desire to handle what has been dealt and to go on to “what’s next”.
Her poetry is a reaffirmation of the value of family, friends, life, love and dreams. All are important whether facing challenges or not. By including photographs in the book, along with the text, Joel shares with us some of the people who have shaped her, while also giving the reader insight into who we all are. We are the sum and part of good times, challenging times, old times, and new times.
We can all relate.
“Wondering how big a dream I can live
Before I’m there and back again”
“There and Back…” a book of poems by Joel Martin, PhD.