December 30, 2013

Marcus Garvey: Purpose (Nia)

Kwanzaa

The symbol at the top of the page shows the Kwanzaa symbol of Nia (Purpose): "To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness."

From the time Marcus was born, his parents knew Marcus was destined for great things. Marcus was named after the emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and his middle name, Mosiah, was a version of Moses. Marcus believed that his life and everyone’s life had a purpose. The word “purpose” is repeated 131 times in The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey:

“Our race has been without a will; without a purpose of its own, for all this length of time. Because of that we have developed few men who are able to understand the strenuousness of the age in which we live.”

“How many of us can reach out to that higher life; that higher purpose; that creative world that says to you, you are a man, a sovereign, a lord—lord of the creation?”

“No race or people can well survive without an aim or purpose. We must know beforehand the progress of our existence. Our racial program of today is a united, emancipated and improved people.”

“LIFE is that existence that is given to man to live for a purpose, to live to his own satisfaction and pleasure, providing he forgets not the God who created him and who expects a spiritual obedience and observation of the moral laws that He has inspired.”

"The purpose of life is to live fully."

Writing Exercises

What is your purpose? How do you plan to "live fully"?

Write a paragraph about how you plan to develop your skills to develop yourself and community."

What are your plans for your life? Where do you see yourself in ten years? Write a paragraph about your plans.


***

exonerate Marcus Garvey


The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey


Thank you for your support.

December 29, 2013

Marcus Garvey: Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa)


The symbol at the top of the page shows the symbol of Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): "To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together." 

Marcus was a firm believer in cooperative economics and entrepreneurship. After reading Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington, he founded the UNIA-ACL . One of the goals of the UNIA-ACL was economic development and Marcus followed through with the founding of factories to build Black dolls, cooperative grocery stores, restaurants, steam laundries, businesses producing men’s and women’s clothes and hats and a publishing business. As Marcus would write in The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey: “Now is the chance for every Negro to make every effort toward a commercial, industrial standard that will make us comparable with the successful business men of other races.”

Writing Exercise

Entrepreneurship can come in many forms. Whether it’s coming up with a new idea or business, Marcus believed that Black people should control the means of production. He also believed that we should support local community businesses.

Write a paragraph about your plans to become a business person or how you and your family support local businesses.



***





The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey

We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey:


Thank you for your support.

December 28, 2013

Marcus Garvey: Community (Ujima)


The symbol at the top of the page shows the Kwanzaa symbol of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): "To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together." 

Marcus believed in collective work and responsibility. The UNIA-ACL was founded on community organization. Throughout his life, Marcus stressed the need for community organization: “The thing to do is to get organized; keep separated and you will be exploited, you will be robbed…Get organized, and you will compel the world to respect you.”

Are you involved in any organized community activities? What are they? 

Writing Exercise

Write a paragraph about your involvement with any community organization.

From THE STORY OF MARCUS GARVEY


***




The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey


Thank you for your support.

December 27, 2013

Marcus Garvey: Self-Reliance (Kujichagulia )



The symbol at the top of the page shows the Kwanzaa symbol of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): "To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves."

From an early age, Marcus learned to speak and to create for himself. At the age of fourteen, Marcus was an apprentice printer. By the time he was eighteen, Marcus was a master printer.  Through The Negro World, The Black Star Line, and the Negro Factories Corporation, Marcus showed that Black people could “define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves

In The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, he wrote “Action, self-reliance, the vision of self and the future have been the only means by which the oppressed have seen and realized the light of their own freedom.”

Write a paragraph about the ways in which you are self-reliant.

Write a paragraph about how self-determination and self-reliance are related.

From THE STORY OF MARCUS GARVEY


 ***


Marcus Garvey

The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey


Thank you for your support.

December 26, 2013

Marcus Garvey: Unity (UMOJA)

Unity

The symbol at the top of the page shows the Kwanzaa symbol of Umoja (Unity): "To strive for a principled and harmonious togetherness in the family, community, nation and world African community."

Throughout his life, Marcus stressed the need for unity In The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, he wrote, “We desire harmony and unity to-day more than ever, because it is only through the bringing together of the four hundred million Negroes into one mighty bond that we can successfully pilot our way through the avenues of opposition and the oceans of difficulties that seem to confront us.”

Write a paragraph about how you or someone you know is promoting unity in your family or community.


From THE STORY OF MARCUS GARVEY

Exonerate Marcus Garvey


The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey


Thank you for your support.

December 20, 2013

Brand New Cover, Same Great Christmas Story




On a cold Christmas Eve in Myrtle Grove, Joe and Myriam Lumley find a baby in a Dutch pot on their doorstep. Without hesitating, the Lumleys take the child, whom they name Eleanor, into their home. But little do they know, Attaberra, Queen of the Zemis, who has watched over the island since it rose out of the sea, has been watching their every move. The Queen has also made a prediction about the child. Will her prediction come true?


***



December 16, 2013

StoryMOOC: Grandpa Sydney’s First Christmas in South Florida


I’ve just completed Creative Task#6 for a MOOC at iversity.org, “The Future of Storytelling.

Grandpa Sydney’s First Christmas in South Florida

Logline: Grandpa Sydney, who has just come up from Jamaica to live in South Florida, discovers the Christmas Spirit in his new homeland.

In order to complete my task, I used the characters from Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories (Grandpa Sydney; Winston Harrison, Grandpa Sydney’s son; Donna Harrison, Winston’s wife; and Jimmy Harrison, Winston and Donna’s son) to create this virtual scavenger hunt.

Grandpa Sydney's First Christmas in South Florida is a combination of location based (set in South Florida) and  transmedia storytelling (posts in Tumblr, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and my blog)


The Backstory

"I don't feel the Christmas Spirit in Miami," said Grandpa Sydney. "Where will I meet people who will come together to celebrate the holiday? Where will I get Christmas cake? Go to a church service to hear my favorite hymns and carols? Where do friends gather?"

"We'll see," said Winston as he held Donna's hand and drew Jimmy close to his side.

The next day, Winston, Donna, and Jimmy woke up early and left this clue for Grandpa Sydney on their Christmas tree.




Clue #1: “Want to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and have a lot fun this weekend? Come to this college in Miami. One of Santa’s helpers will give you the next clue.”



Grandpa Sydney searched through the crowds at Miami Dade College's Annual Christmas Holiday. People from all over the community brought their families to celebrate Christmas. 

In one of the many tents, Grandpa Sydney saw a Steel Pan Orchestra playing “Guantanamera,” Disney Fairy Tales characters and a friend of the family with Ms. Claus.

With the help of one of Santa’s helpers, Grandpa Sydney saw the many sights and sounds of the Annual Christmas Holiday at the North Campus of Miami Dade College. She also gave him a clue for the next location.



“Santa is a ___________? That’s the name of the restaurant where you can get Christmas cake…”


Location #3. Nice Mon Restaurant

Jamaican Christmas Cake


After picking up a delicious Christmas cake that Winston had bought for him, Grandpa Sydney read the clue that his family had left on the counter.

Clue #3: “Joseph, Mary and Jesus are the ____________? Follow this clue to learn about the meaning of Christmas and listen to Jamaican Christmas cantatas.”


Location #4. Holy Family Church, Miami Gardens

"Oh, we'll have a wonderful Christmas service," said Father Ward. "You will feel as if you never left Jamaica."

"Thank you, Father," said Grandpa Sydney. "I'll be back on Christmas Day."

"I'll be looking out for you," said Father Ward and he shook Grandpa Sydney's hand.

After visiting the chapel at Holy Family Church, Grandpa Sydney read the next clue that Winston, Donna, and Jimmy had left for him in the garden.



Winston, Donna, and Jimmy left a clue in the garden.



Clue#4: “You can walk and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas at this beach. Invite all your friends who’ve helped you throughout the year for a party here…”




What better place to have a Christmas party than on a beach in South Florida? Grandpa Sydney, Winston, Jimmy, Donna and all their friends had a wonderful party at Hallandale Beach.


The friends brought gifts for the children and strung lights around the palm trees. The family and friends sang "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "The First Noel," and Grandpa Sydney’s favorite, “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.”



And did they eat! They had salads, ham, roasted hen, curried goat, stuffed bell peppers, and rice with gungo (pigeon) peas. And, of course, Christmas cake and sorrel.





"Thank you, Winston," said Grandpa Sydney. "I never thought I'd be able to celebrate Christmas like I used to in Jamaica. I think I'm going to enjoy living here in South Florida."

Jimmy ran up to Grandpa Sydney and hugged him around his neck. Then, Winston and Donna came beside him and they all wished each other, "Merry Christmas!"


***

Here were the rules for Creative Task Week #6

1. Pick 3-5 locations in a two mile radius that you know very well. (e.g. a tree, a building, a church tower, …, whatever you like)
2. Take the character you created in Chapter #3 (or create a new one if you prefer).
3. Use both, the locations and characters to tell a little site-specific, location-based story. (One example is shown below.)

The Complete Package:

4. Go out and lay out the traces at your chosen locations.
5. Just post a logline (a summary of your game in just 1 line/sentence) here/on the web together with a description of your starting point, so others can actually find and play/follow your location-based story/game.
6. Play & experience! : )


Give thanks to Xavier Murphy, Donna Aza Weir-Soley, Josett Peat, Jason Walker, Eulett McKnight-Samms, Euphemia Napier, Nice Mon Restaurant, Father Horace D. Ward, Michael Mason (Ms. Claus), Nora Dawkins, Sara Alegria, and Estrella Iglesias for help with my homework.

Merry Christmas!


December 11, 2013

Geoffrey Philp @ StoryMOOC: Inspiration Week

I’ve just completed my homework for a MOOC at iversity.org, “The Future of Storytelling” :

Creative Task Week #4 

Take a camera, be it you mobile phone, a webcam, … , and introduce yourself to the other StoryMOOCers, 

telling us who you are 
where you are from 
and most importantly: which works inspired your interest in storytelling most up to know. 

Pick out 1-3 works of art, literature, film, TV, game, a website or else and tell us what’s so special about it that you think it might help inspire somebody else anywhere on this planet. 

If you don’t want to be in the video, and/or don’t want us to know where you’re from, that’s fine as well. Then please make it just about your piece of inspiration. 

Here’s my completed task:

 

December 10, 2013

Honoring Mandela on World Human Rights Day




The synchronicities abound. 


We honor Nelson Mandela on World Human Rights Day.





Until the philosophy which hold one race superior 
And another 
Inferior 
Is finally 
And permanently 
Discredited 
And abandoned - 
Everywhere is war - 
Me say war. 

That until there no longer 
First class and second class citizens of any nation 
Until the colour of a man's skin 
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes - 
Me say war. 

That until the basic human rights 
Are equally guaranteed to all, 
Without regard to race - 
Dis a war. 

That until that day 
The dream of lasting peace, 
World citizenship 
Rule of international morality 
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, 
But never attained - 
Now everywhere is war - war. 

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes 
That hold our brothers in Angola, 
In Mozambique, 
South Africa 
Sub-human bondage 
Have been toppled, 
Utterly destroyed - 
Well, everywhere is war - 
Me say war. 

War in the east, 
War in the west, 
War up north, 
War down south - 
War - war - 
Rumours of war. 
And until that day, 
The African continent 
Will not know peace, 
We Africans will fight - we find it necessary - 
And we know we shall win 
As we are confident 
In the victory 

Of good over evil - 
Good over evil, yeah! 
Good over evil - 
Good over evil, yeah! 
Good over evil - 
Good over evil, yeah! 

***

The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey

We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey:

http://signon.org/sign/exonerate-marcus-garvey?source=c.url&r_by=4631897

Thank you for your support.

December 9, 2013

Support Education @Donors Choose

Madie Ives Elementary

My wife works at Madie Ives Elementary, a Title 1 school. She has signed up for Donors Choose, a site that helps teachers fund materials/projects for their classroom by allowing donors to choose what they'd like to fund, and then the materials get shipped DIRECTLY to the school.

This year, she is teaching the EFL program, which is second language instruction, and the technology in her classroom sums up to this: she has three working computers, an overhead projector and a 24" inch tube TV that works some days, doesn't the rest of the week, for all of her 18 kids.

The school was built in 1954 and has never had any sort of technology overhaul. The dream is that we'll be able to get around to funding a Mimeo Board for her classroom one day, and level the playing field for her kids with the other schools in the area that DO have Smart Boards in ALL their classrooms. But for now, we are just really hoping that we can make this project a success and get her projector fully funded!

I know that times are rough for everyone, and I also hope that you know that I wouldn't be asking this if I didn't believe in it, but even if you can't donate, do you think you could post this to your Facebook/Social Media feeds, to see if anyone out there would like to?

$1, $5, $10... every little bit counts, and up to December 14, 2013, Disney will be matching donor contributions, dollar per dollar (up to the first $100) by donors using the code DISNEY at checkout.



Give to her classroom by December 14 and your donation will be doubled thanks to Disney. Just enter the code DISNEY on the payment page and you'll be matched dollar for dollar!


***

December 7, 2013

Nelson Mandela: Inspiration

Marcus Garvey


***

The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey

We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey:

http://signon.org/sign/exonerate-marcus-garvey?source=c.url&r_by=4631897

Thank you for your support.

December 3, 2013

Caribbean Fantastic @ Art Basel


There is about to be a dramatic injection of spice and diversity into Art Basel, one of the most popular Art events that occur in the United States, with the introduction of world renowned, critically acclaimed and gorgeous art. Art Basel draws tens of thousands of persons from inside and outside of Miami. However although the event has been around for 40 years, it is not known for showcasing artists or art that come from the African Diaspora.

Fortunately this has been changing recently with the efforts of several people and organizations. Multitudes Contemporary Art Gallery owner and curator Babacar Mbow is committed to bringing forth some of that change. Mbow has a highly acclaimed, diverse and longstanding career in education and art and is uniquely equipped to source and present art from the African Diaspora.  This year’s exhibition will focus on Haiti. Haiti is the country that 1st represented African freedom and independence and the beginning of the end to slavery in the Western Hemisphere, and hence a source of great inspiration for artists. This works perfectly as South Florida has a large Haitian population and by extension a large Caribbean population.

The change towards greater diversity will go into high gear with this exhibition called “Caribbean Fantastic” that runs from the 3rd of December 2013 to the 2nd of January 2014 at the Multitudes Contemporary Art Gallery. Caribbean Fantastic features the works of the extremely talented and exciting Jean Claude Legagneur. Jean Claude Legagneur is a very successful artist whose critically acclaimed works have been seen in places like New York, South Florida, DC, Tokyo, Port-Au-Prince and Santo Domingo. His monumental Mural adorns the American Airlines Terminal at John Fitzgerald Kennedy Airport in New York.

Jean Claude Legagneur is an integral part of African Diaspora history. Legagneur is a relentless painter that has produced a large treasure of artistic gems that has been moving people since 1963. Born in Haiti in 1947 Legagneur travelled to the United States at an early age and was soon working with some famous artists and would eventually make beautiful and engaging imagery for the world to see. Besides the positive accolades given earlier, Legagneur consistently received the descriptions of sensitivity and sincerity from the critics that have reviewed his works over the years.

Caribbean Fantastic takes this history and brings it forward and makes it relevant today. “Jean Claude Legagneur defies mainstream contemporary art's boisterous claims and enters the realm of 21st century aesthetics”

Caribbean Fantastic runs from the 3rd of December to the 2nd of January during Art Basel at the Multitudes Contemporary Art Gallery. The opening reception for Caribbean Fantastic will be Wednesday the 4th of December at 7pm. The reception will be at the Multitudes Contemporary Art Gallery 5570 NE 4th Avenue Miami Florida 33137. For more information please call 954-338-8670 / 786-597-3042.  Media Contact: Harris Public Relations at 786.897.8854 or 
publicity@harrispublicelations.com

Caribbean Fantastic Schedule during Art Basel Week

Gallery 10am-11pm


Free and open to the public

December 4 : 7:30 PM-10 PM NIGHT OF HAITIAN DIPLOMACY : Opening Night

Under the patronage of the Consul General of Haiti in Miami , The Night of the Haitian diplomacy is at the heart of the dynamics of the new Cultural Diplomacy policy of the Haitian government. The presence of Haitian diplomats in the United States as well as those in the Caribbean and beyond is anticipated. With artists, Hollywood stars, great collectors and other guests of the city, this night will present Haiti in all its potentials.

December 5 : 8 PM-10 PM

Hollywood Artists United: An Evening with Jimmy Jean Louis


The actor who masterfully interpreted historical consciousness through Toussaint Louverture: The Battle of the Eagles is also a humanitarian whose work focuses on the construction and operation of a school in the Haitian countryside. This fund raising event will be attended by Hollywood stars with his fans and colleagues.

December 6 : 8 PM-10 PM CARIBBEAN LITERARY ART: LECTURE & BOOK SIGNING Caribbean Spaces: Escape from the Twilight Zones by Carole Boyce-Davies

Persuasive and comprehensive, Caribbean Spaces achieves an intriguing sequence of intricate journeys through Caribbean and African diasporic cultural spaces, political landscapes, historiographies, and literary-artistic terrains, each keenly observed.

Image: Jean Caude Legagneur


***

November 28, 2013

FULLJOY Thanksgiving

FULLJOY Thanksgiving

Since I've cut down on eating meat, I’ve been going to a vegetarian restaurant, Konata’s, in North Miami. The food is superb, but that’s not the only reason I go to Konata’s.

After eating a flavorful sip, I gathered my keys and said to Konata, “Enjoy your Thanksgiving.”

“I will FULLJOY my Thanksgiving,” said Konata.

In that brief moment, Konata reminded me of why I was attracted to RastafarI. 

“Enjoy” suggests the possibility of an “end” to joy, and for RastafarI, who live in an Iniverse of bounty, there is no end to joy. Life should be FULLJOYED.

FULLJOY Thanksgiving, my sisters and brothers.


***

November 26, 2013

Garvey Lectures: A Rastafari View of Marcus Mosiah Garvey & Marcus Garvey: The Vision of Black Grandeur

Exonerate Marcus Garvey

At 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, Jabulani Tafari, vice president of the Rootz Foundation, and I will be giving two lectures about Marcus Garvey to Dr. Donna Aza Weir-Soley’s graduate students at Miami Dade College, North Campus.

Using his seminal work, A Rastafari View of Marcus Mosiah Garvey: Patriarch, Prophet, Philosopher, as a catalyst for the discussion, Jabulani Tafari’s lecture will trace the historical roots of Garvey’s Pan-Africanism and the relationship with Rastafari.

My lecture, Marcus Garvey: The Vision of Black Grandeur will highlight the philosophical differences W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey. The presentation will demonstrate how these differences have resulted in distinct worldviews within Black America about race and class, and their connection to the election of President Barack Obama and the death of Trayvon Martin.


It is hoped that these lectures will continue the conversation about Garvey’s relevance in the unfolding story of Africans in the Americas.

***

The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey

We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey:

http://signon.org/sign/exonerate-marcus-garvey?source=c.url&r_by=4631897

Thank you for your support.

November 25, 2013

Miami Dade College: Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph to Speak on World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day

Acclaimed veteran actress Sheryl Lee Ralph will help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS as the guest speaker at the Miami Dade College (MDC) Homestead Campus’ World AIDS Day event on Monday, November 25, where she will speak to attendees about her passion to combat HIV/AIDS through knowledge and prevention.

Most recently known for her role in the Nickelodeon TV sitcom, Instant Mom, and the TVone reality show R&B Divas, Ralph’s extensive history in the arts includes film, television, and Broadway. She is widely known for her breakthrough role as the main character, Deena Jones, in the legendary Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, and a starring role in the former UPN sitcom, Moesha.

In 1990, Ralph created the DIVA Foundation, a national not-for-profit charitable organization as a memorial to the many friends she lost to HIV/AIDS. The organization focuses on generating resources and coordinating activities to create awareness and fight HIV/AIDS. For the past 23 years, Ralph has staged DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING!, a benefit concert to continue the battle against HIV/AIDS.

“The commemoration of World AIDS Day is a time for our students to stand with people worldwide in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Dr. Jeanne Jacobs, Homestead Campus president. “We are honored to have Sheryl Lee Ralph at the Homestead Campus, using her voice to encourage compassion for our fellow man.”

The event is free and open to the public.  

MDC Homestead Campus Commemorates World AIDS Day with Sheryl Lee Ralph

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 25, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
WHERE: MDC Homestead Campus (Room F222)
COST: Free

Other Homestead Campus World AIDS Day activities on Nov. 25 will include a blood drive from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Café Patio, HIV Testing (Sponsored by Sembrando Flores Compassionate Care Ministries) from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Student Life Patio, and the Bandana Project from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., also at the Student Life Patio, where students will decorate white bandanas to raise awareness of violence against women. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Nicole Bryant at 305-237-5223.

November 22, 2013

"Teaching J to Read" by Ashley Jones

Poet



I don’t know how to begin,
how to explain that A means A,
that B isn’t Beaver
but simply B,
the second drawing
in a series of twenty-six.

He is in the fifth grade
and he can’t read about Dick or Jane.
He spends his days
finding new places to hide—
in between book chapters, scraping ink;
at the end of a punchline;
on the lip of a carton of milk.

I am useless, like an after-school special—
here, there is no purple dinosaur,
no sparkle in our smiles,
no bell-toned music to montage this away.

He finds pig in big
and the way a fist can solve these things.

He loses his name
in the sprawling alphabet—
the surest letter is the first: J.
This is the dark curve
that marks him,
and, even now,
I can’t remember the letters
that follow.



Ashley M. Jones is now in her second year at FIU, where she is a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fellow in Poetry. She is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and her poetry has been published in Aura Literary Arts Review, Sanctuary Literary Magazine, and the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy.

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November 21, 2013

Special 10th Anniversary Issue of Anthurium: "Intellectual Formations: Locating a Caribbean Critical Tradition."


Anthurium: A Caribbean Studies Journal | University of Miami

Anthurium, a peer reviewed Caribbean Studies Journal, publishes original works and critical studies of Caribbean literature, theater, film, art, and culture by writers and scholars worldwide exclusively in electronic form. Founded by Sandra Pouchet Paquet in 2003, Anthurium promotes a lively exchange among writers and scholars in the arts, humanities, and social sciences and other disciplines who hold diverse perspectives on Caribbean literature and culture and offers a mixture of fiction, poetry, plays, critical essays, cultural studies, interviews, and visual art. Book reviews and bibliographies, special thematic issues and original art and photography are some of the features of this international journal of Caribbean arts and letters.


Current Issue: Volume 10, Issue 2 (2013) "Intellectual Formations: Locating a Caribbean Critical Tradition."


http://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/anthurium/


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