I've always enjoyed reading for the students at Barry University. Professor Evelyn Cartright's students always reflect her assiduous scholarship by their close readings of "My Brother's Keeper" from the Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories. This year, I was invited to read at Caribbean Fest, which was sponsored by the Africana Studies Program.
Dr. Evelyn Cartright and Geoffrey Philp
The event began with a welcome by Dr. Cartright and then, featured PowerPoint presentations by her students: Haiti by Reginald Jeudy and James Norman; Dominican Republic by Darien Bush and Ivana Fabian; Trinidad and Tobago by Alexandra Toro and Rolande Saint Preux; Colombia by Taylor Edwards and Joseph McGovern; Cuba by Jennifer Winchester and Jessica Tabor, Jamaica by Xioanne George, Leslie Redmond, and Crystal Huerta.
Leslie Redmond and Geoffrey Philp
After the gracious introduction by Taylor Edwards, whose analysis of "My Brother's Keeper," highlighted the themes of fatherlessness and domestic abuse in the story, I had planned to begin with a reading from my e-book, Bob Marley and Bradford's iPad, and to introduce a model for purchasing e-books at author readings.
But after listening to the students' presentations, I read a few poems livicated to the countries that were represented:
Haiti: "Dust" Geoffrey Philp's Blog: http://bit.ly/yFhI20
Dominican Republic: "Bachata" from Dub Wise (Peepal Tree Press)
Trinidad and Tobago: "A Day at the Races" from Hurricane Center (Peepal Tree Press)
Colombia: "Como se Dice Eso?" from Dub Wise (Peepal Tree Press)
Cuba: "La Rosa Blanca" from Hurricane Center (Peepal Tree Press)
Jamaica: "A Prayer for my Children" from Dub Wise (Peepal Tree Press)
The program ended with musical selections by Nia Devine and a dance performance by HICA.
Give thanks to Professor Evelyn Cartright, Leslie Redmond, and the students of Barry University who continue to support my work in so many ways.
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