Sekou Ture, that leader and ideologue for African dignity and self determination, defined culture as the sum total of every experience the people have from which to create, define, and assert their legacy. What that definition tells me is that the value of every expression we have is in that expression's ability to positively inspire and spur humanity forward towards a positive action for a better future. So, everyone of us who dances, sings, recites poetry, raps , acts, writes, draws, paints, etc. Somewhere embedded in the art we produce must be a message of determination. A statement of justice. A pronouncement of our desire to see a better world for all of us. Without that within our art, our efforts lose their vitality. They cease to even be artful. Instead, if the foundation for what we produce is money, a desire to make money, a focus and commitment to responding to the demands of making money, then what we are doing isn't art. It's propaganda for the ruling class system. And those of us producing it are nothing more than the pitiful clown prostitutes for this decadent system. Within this realm, there is no dignity and integrity in our work. It becomes soulless.
The old African proverb is that "even a dead fish can go with the current." That's what we are as so-called artists, if our work isn't focused on upholding our dignity as human beings. And since our dignity is inseparable from the oppression we experience from this backward capitalist system, then that means our work must be about challenging this system.
With this statement being made, we plead with all reading this to make a commitment to support independent artists who are dedicated to producing inspiring messages for the masses through their art. I say independent because once an artist decides to base their work on integrity, they are essentially making the commitment to remain independent because the industries for all art forms are nothing more than manufacturing mechanisms for the crushing of the creative spirit.
So, for those in the Portland, Oregon, metro area, myself and a Florida based artist with the same commitment to integrity that I do, are being hosted for a book event on Saturday, February 6th, 2016. The Marilyn Buck Abolitionist Collective is hosting the night, which is being called "Liberation Literature." I will be discussing my latest novel "The Courage Equation" and Michelle Matisons from Florida will be discussing her latest novel "Left to our Own Devices." Our objective is to inform the public about the need to create and produce a genre of literature that doesn't apologize for making the need for structural change in this society front and center to the plots of our stories. In extremely creative ways, we weave in exciting and interesting characters and plot lines that demonstrate repeatedly how to have difficult conversations with people. How to approach and engage the hard work required while maintaining your dignity and even having as much fun as possible. In other words, inspiration. Read our books and leave feeling like we can win, because we can win. So, if you are in the area, come out to the "In Other Words" Bookstore at 14 N.E. Killingsworth in Portland from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on 2/6. Food will be served and all are welcome. If you are not in the Portland area, as most of you reading this will not be, then make it your business to locate and support local artists in your area who are dedicated to this same mission. Go online and purchase our books and the efforts other artists produce such as music, paintings, etc. I can guarantee you that they are there, struggling to find a way to reach you. Help them out. Your neighborhood, community, and your planet will be better off because of syour effort.
The old African proverb is that "even a dead fish can go with the current." That's what we are as so-called artists, if our work isn't focused on upholding our dignity as human beings. And since our dignity is inseparable from the oppression we experience from this backward capitalist system, then that means our work must be about challenging this system.
With this statement being made, we plead with all reading this to make a commitment to support independent artists who are dedicated to producing inspiring messages for the masses through their art. I say independent because once an artist decides to base their work on integrity, they are essentially making the commitment to remain independent because the industries for all art forms are nothing more than manufacturing mechanisms for the crushing of the creative spirit.
So, for those in the Portland, Oregon, metro area, myself and a Florida based artist with the same commitment to integrity that I do, are being hosted for a book event on Saturday, February 6th, 2016. The Marilyn Buck Abolitionist Collective is hosting the night, which is being called "Liberation Literature." I will be discussing my latest novel "The Courage Equation" and Michelle Matisons from Florida will be discussing her latest novel "Left to our Own Devices." Our objective is to inform the public about the need to create and produce a genre of literature that doesn't apologize for making the need for structural change in this society front and center to the plots of our stories. In extremely creative ways, we weave in exciting and interesting characters and plot lines that demonstrate repeatedly how to have difficult conversations with people. How to approach and engage the hard work required while maintaining your dignity and even having as much fun as possible. In other words, inspiration. Read our books and leave feeling like we can win, because we can win. So, if you are in the area, come out to the "In Other Words" Bookstore at 14 N.E. Killingsworth in Portland from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on 2/6. Food will be served and all are welcome. If you are not in the Portland area, as most of you reading this will not be, then make it your business to locate and support local artists in your area who are dedicated to this same mission. Go online and purchase our books and the efforts other artists produce such as music, paintings, etc. I can guarantee you that they are there, struggling to find a way to reach you. Help them out. Your neighborhood, community, and your planet will be better off because of syour effort.
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