POETIC JUSTICE AT
CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM:
A Tribute To Black
Poets and Writers
by Tony Boyd
February is Black History Month, a time of the year we set
aside to remember, teach, and learn about the contributions of African
Americans to United States history and to honor their achievements. Black
History Month was established in 1926 (originally just a week) by Dr. Carter
Woodson. It became a whole month in 1976. Dr. Woodson’s impetus for creating
“Negro History Week”, as it was called then, was the lack of recognition
of the contributions of Blacks
being taught in U.S. schools.
“He noted that African-American contributions ‘were overlooked, ignored, and
even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use
them.’ Race prejudice,
he concluded, "is merely the logical result of tradition, the inevitable
outcome of thorough instruction to the effect that the Negro has never
contributed anything to the progress of mankind."
It is because of the tradition that we gathered on February
4, 2017 to honor our forbearers. In this instance, we chose to honor them through
poetry. Umoja Soul Writers Group in conjunction with Crystal Bridges Museum
presented Poetic Justice Open Mic at Crystal Bridges “A Tribute to Black Poets
and Writers”. Poetic Justice Open Mic is an open forum poetry slam that
encourages all people, especially people of color to come to the mic and
express themselves about anything that moves them. Mistress of Ceremonies for
the evening was Ms. Lakeesha Nicole Shaw.
The program began with an introduction of why we were there and what we were
doing by Stacy “L.I.F.E.” Harper. With her usual theatric flare, she spoke in lyrical tones of the
importance of poetry in her life and indeed, all our lives. She was followed to the stage by Leron
Jackson, son of Leora Jackson, one of the original founders of Umoja Soul
Writers Group and its driving force. Leron chose a work by Langston Hughes for
his tribute to Black poet history entitled “I, Too, Sing America”. Mr. Hughes
was known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from
the twenties through the sixties.
Leora took a little mic time afterwards to discuss Nikki
Giovanni, Margaret Walker, Maya Angelou, and other Black female poets
Michael Day, local poet, vocalist, activist and more, came
with an original work entitled “A God Is Dead” speaking to the ills of racism,
pain and struggle in today’s world. His projected voice reverberating around
the room, the passion about his subject matter clearly evident. I feel like his
homage to those that came before him is one that both he and they can be very
proud of. This young man has important things to say. It would behoove us to
listen.
“We Wear The Masks” by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a poem that
is near and dear to my heart. It was one of the first poems I ever heard by
a…Black person (say what!!) … read to my siblings and me by my favorite aunt,
Ida Henning-Wilson. So when C. J. Beavers came to the mic and uttered the first
phrase I was taken back in time to those days, those naïve days. Mr. Dunbar’s
work inspired my aunt. In turn, she used it to inspire us. We learned a lesson
about creativity and expression that day. Thanks for the memory, C.J.
Maya Angelou, Stacy Harper’s choice for recognition, was a
world reknown, prolific, and talented writer/poetess/teacher/singer/actress. Of
her many works, Stacy chose “Rainbow” to be the piece to represent her with.
Steve “Mr. Ladebac” Toston also
decided to pay homage to Mr. Langston Hughes by reciting “Let America Be
America”. Leora performed her
original piece called “Say Her Name” about lifting up the names of the female
victims of police misconduct. Madia Willis performed an original piece entitled
“Tonic”.
All in all, it was a
pleasant, insightful, educational event. Kudos to Crystal Bridges Museum for
being apart of making it possible.
