Volume 1— Issue 1 Apr May Jun 2010

2 The Village Griot

Sharon Moore Stenhouse (aka) a’Kihoro...started seriously writing later in life than most –though I will not tell my age, and discovered something about myself I never realized... I love to write; I love to teach; I love to inspire.

a’Kihoro SPIRITUAL CREATIONS established in 1995 as a ministry, focusing on the projection of a polished image for community and faith-based or-ganizations. The first ten years, offered services in web design and hosting, graphics and publication de-sign, book cover design and manuscript pagination. Then in 2006 a friend invited me to an open mike poetry venue, where I offered help to the featured poet who was recovering from eye surgery, by cold reading his latest poem. The standing ovation I re-ceived was humbling. Many in the audience, while vigorously applauding, could not believe that I was not a seasoned poet. The venue host dared me to re-turn the following week with a poem of my own, and I did. The inspiration for one of my first poems ti-tled, The Lord Told Me So is my testimony as a breast cancer survivor.

Since that evening in 2006, I’ve written over 100 poems, numer-ous articles, published two books of poetry -one includes essays, written and published a Bible study exercise book based on another of my first poems, de-veloped a creative writing workshop workbook, started a blog, and revived The Village Griot.

a’Kihoro SPIRITUAL CREATIONS is a registered publisher. The vision and spiritual grounding is my faith in Jesus Christ and the grace God has bestowed upon me over the years. Inspiration for my work comes from the Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30. My pen name a’kihoro is a variation of the Swahili word akiroho which means spiritual.

I sincerely pray that you -the readers– enjoy this new electronic magazine titled The Village Griot. Amani na Mapenzi: Love & Peace

Sharon Moore Stenhouse Author, Poet, Publisher

In This Issue:

Poet’s Corner . ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 6

Voice of the Streets .... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 9

What’s on the Bookshelf? ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 10

So You Want to Self‐Publish Your Book .... ...... ..... 12

Internet Talk Radio ..... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 15

The Nina Simone Experience ... ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 19

Honoring elders and the aged in our society .... ..... 21

Storytelling: Café Soul Mates .. ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 24

‘Twas bound but now I’m free ..... ...... ..... ...... ..... 27

Celebrating the Life STILL Morning the Loss .... ..... 29

Photo & Graphic Credits:

Poet Laureates: Library of Congress

Voice of the Streets: Lamont Carey

Nina Simone Cover & Article: E. Joyce Moore

Michael Jackson: AP Images Photo

Book Covers: provided by the authors

Layout Design, Other Photos & Graphics: Sharon Moore Stenhouse

This work (The Village Griot eZine) is provided under the terms of this Creative Commons Public License. The eZine is protected by copyright and/or other applicable law. Any use of the eZine other than as authorized under this license or copyright law is prohibited.

Habari Gani (What’s the good news)?

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Why a National Poetry Month?

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.

The concept of National Poetry Month is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.

Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), and on the advice of teachers and librarians, April seemed the best time within the year to turn attention toward the art of poetry—in an ultimate effort to encourage poetry readership year-round.

What is a Poet Laureate?

The Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress serves as the nation's official lightning rod for the poetic impulse of Americans. The Poet Laureate is appointed annually and serves from October to May. The position has existed under two separate titles: from 1937 to 1986 as “Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress” and from 1986 forward as “Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.” The name was changed by an act of Congress in 1985.

The Poetry Foundation -established in 2003, is a 501(c)(3) organization working to raise poetry to a more visible and influential position in American culture. The foundation publishes Poetry Magazine whose mission is to print the best poetry written today, in whatever style, genre, or approach. The magazine offers a monthly podcast with archives, as well of archives of past issues.

Poet submissions are accepted online however, you must be at your best... all work is examined carefully. The magazine does not consider anything that has been previously published or accepted for publication, anywhere, in any form.

U.S. Poet Laureates of Note

1958-1959

Robert Frost

(1874-1963) Robert Frost, the best k n o w n a n d m o s t b e l o v e d American poet of the 20th century, won the Pulitzer Prize four times for "New Hampshire" (1924), "Collected Poems" (1931), "A Further Range" (1937) and "A Witness Tree" (1943). Much of Frost's work dealt with the life and landscape of New England. He was a poet of traditional verse forms and metric, avoiding the poetic movements of his time. Frost taught primarily at Amherst, 1 9 1 7 - 1 9 6 3 . H e r e c e i v e d 4 4 h o n o r a r y d e g r e e s , m a n y government tributes and the Bollingen Prize posthumously.

1985-1986

Gwendolyn Brooks

(1917-2000) Gwendolyn Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas, and raised in Chicago, where she spent m o s t o f h e r l i f e . S h e w a s interested in poetry from an early age and published her first poem in American Childhood Magazine at 13. Starting in 1934, she joined the Chicago Defender, an African-A m e r i c a n n e w s p a p e r , a n d published nearly 100 poems in a weekly poetry column. Her second book of poems, "Annie Allen," won the 1950 Pulitzer Prize, making Brooks the first African-American recipient of the Pulitzer. She received many poetry awards and honors, and actively brought poetry classes and contests to young people in the inner city.

1993-1995

Rita Dove

(1952- ) Rita Dove, born in Akron, Ohio, was a 1970 Presidential Scholar as one of the 100 best high school graduates in the United States that year. She received a bachelor’s from Miami University of Ohio and a master’s from the University of Iowa. Her poetry collection, “Thomas and Beulah,” won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize. She also wrote “Grace Notes” (1989), a volume of short stories, and “Through the Ivory Gate” (1992), a novel. Her most recent book of poetry is “American Smooth” (2004). Dove is a professor of English at the University of Virginia.

4 The Village Griot

for the State of Maryland and Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland.

After a long battle with cancer, Lucille Clifton died on February 13, 2010, at the age of 73.

Listen to Lucille Clifton & Gwendolyn Brooks on CD

Source: American Academy of Poets

Written in memory of Dr. Clifton

That thought ran through my mind as if training for the Boston Marathon and I would come in first place. It was June 2002 and I sat in a classroom on the campus of Bennington College in Vermont with a group of up and coming writers, as evidenced by master's degrees and PhDs in any kind of writing you could think of.

I had an award from Lucille Brown Middle School as a hero in the making and a full-time job as a social worker that kept me in my journal but I didn't think that would get me on anybody's writing panel. I had applied for a fellowship from the National Book Foundation and they felt I had "promise" as a writer. I chalked it up to a need for diversity.

My colleagues (as the facilitator had asked us to refer to one another) were literally tearing poetry apart. It was the 21st century version of Gladiators and guess who was in the center of the arena?

Glynis, they said, you can't write in lower-case...Glynis, it confuses the reader when you only uppercase deities...Glynis, what was your degree in again...And I, as uncertain and gawky as I was at eight hoping to be chosen for kickball, could not explain myself.

I was an inner-city girl raised mainly by my Grandma Cat who believed in doing good, church and total reverence of God. I could no more lowercase God's name than I could not feed a hungry child. Writing rules confused me.

I loved words and putting them together in a way I had no explanation for, only a need to do. My life up until that day hummed on books, poetry and anything I could read or write. This was the one place I felt accepted, just me and my pen, with no one telling me I was too short, too fat, too anything. In writing, I was perfect.

“Why can't I just write?” I blurted. “Why does it have to be in a formula any kind of way?” Eloquence escaped me as the rawness of my discontent took over and I was reminded of my unspoken fear: I am not a writer.

Later that night we adjourned to the Barn for our weekly meet and greet, update on the week's activities and so forth. Tonight was special because we had the opportunity to choose books, donated by a publishing house.

Lucille Clifton was born in Depew, New York, on June 27, 1936. Her first book of poems, Good Times, was rated one of the best books of the year by the N e w Y o r k Times in 1969.

S h e r e m a i n e d employed in state and federal government positions until 1971, when she became a writer in residence at Coppin State College in Baltimore, Maryland, where she completed two collections: Good News About the Earth (1972) and An Ordinary Woman (1974).

She has gone on to write several other collections of poetry, including Voices (BOA Editions, 2008); Mercy (2004); Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000 (2000), which won the National Book Award; The Terrible Stories (1995), which was nominated for the National Book Award; The Book of Light (1993); Quilting: Poems 1987-1990 (1991); Next: New Poems (1987)

Her collection Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980 (1987) was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize; Two-Headed Woman (1980), also a Pulitzer Prize nominee, was the recipient of the University of Massachusetts Press Juniper Prize. She has also written Generations: A Memoir (1976) and more than sixteen books for children, written expressly for an African-American audience.

Of her work, Rita Dove has written:

“In contrast to much of the poetry being written today—intellectualized lyricism characterized by an application of inductive thought to unusual images—Lucille Clifton's poems are compact and self-sufficient. Her revelations then resemble the epiphanies of childhood and early adolescence, when one's lack of preconceptions about the self allowed for brilliant slippage into the metaphysical, a glimpse into an egoless, utterly thingful and serene world.”

Her honors include an Emmy Award from the American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Lannan Literary Award, two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Shelley Memorial Award, the YM-YWHA Poetry Center Discovery Award, and the 2007 Ruth Lilly Prize.

In 1999, she was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. She has served as Poet Laureate

The Village Griot 5

taken to where she needed to be. I was enthra l led with her , the memories of Vermont flooding me, the feelings overwhelming me. Dr. Joanne, ever mindful of those who need a little extra help, asked me if I'd like to meet her.

I went to her and introduced myself. I wanted to tell her about Vermont and those awful writers, about feeling inadequate as a writer and sometimes a person, how I didn't understand why you couldn't write however you wanted. I wanted to say a lot, to be intelligent and interesting.

Instead, I cried. She gently held my h a n d a n d c o m f o r t e d m e , a blubbering 41 year old who did not care that everyone in the luncheon a r e a a t J a m e s M a d i s o n Univers i ty was watching our exchange, privy to my runny nose and swollen eyes, my worst look ever. I can't tell you what they felt or how they looked because I did not see them. I only saw Miss Lucille, with a smile as kind as a hand to help and as warm as the sun after a very harsh winter.

She had pulled me back, once again. As my tears subsided and I could actually converse, Miss Lucille announced to the group “I teach my students to comfort anyone in distress. It is the very proper and human thing to do.”

I told her I did not get a writing degree in college. She said me neither. I told her I felt God was in

I reached my hand into an endless barrel of reading and pulled out “Blessing the Boats” by Lucille Clifton. I did not know who Lucille Clifton was nor why she wanted to bless boats. Maybe her daddy was a sailor, I mused as I looked at the book in my hand. I opened it and realized one thing immediately: Lucille Clifton wrote poetry in lowercase and uppercased the name of God.

I n t h a t m o m e nt I h ea r d m y Grandma Cat say "God may not come when you call but He is always right on time." The Lord, in His wisdom, did not think a firestorm in class earlier that day was the right thing to do, not to hurt anyone just get me out of there.

As always, He met me at the need I could not speak. I vowed that night as I lay in bed if I ever had the chance to meet Miss Lucille I would thank her and try to tell her what she had done for me. And I will not cry, I decided. I will be strong and amazing and she will be very pleased.

In June 2009 I met Lucille Clifton, seven years to the day I first held one of her books in my hand. She was in attendance at James Madison University for a week devoted to her life and work. Again, I was the odd one out. The seminar was slated for professors and teachers of writing, with a focus on African-American poetry. When I received the notice of this opportunity through my beloved Kalamu-listserv, I could not allow a little thing like not being a professor of poetry to stop me. So I wrote and explained why I needed this and because it was meant to be, I was accepted.

We had been wa i t ing to s ee Miss Lucille with barely contained excitement, anxiety and all out yearning we could not describe. I was at lunch mid-week when the word came around...“She's here! She's here!”

Miss Lucille arrived in a wheelchair, her hair gray; I only saw a queen with a silver crown rightfully being

everyone and everything. She said me too.

I told her I was not sure I was any kind of writer at all. She smiled, her eyes with a crease of a twinkle as she delivered the verdict. Of course you are, she said. “Writing is your life.”

I read this morning Miss Lucille has finally gotten to see God face to face and tell Him a thing or two about the Psalms. My tears this time are different.

Sometimes tears serve as a herald of sorts, confirming we have grown, that another place in living has been reached, for those who have moved on and those who continue to keep the watch.

How is it a heart can be as heavy as the burdens of Atlas yet as light as air waiting to become breath? I suppose that will be a line for a poem someday, a Lucille Clifton kind of poem where all I am in that m o m e n t i s g i v e n e a s i l y , m y vulnerability as transparent as a baby's cry. Miss Lucille saw no need to save anything for another piece; the writing will call you, she said. It is the nature of words to come together as need be.

My daddy told me never to say good-bye, only see you later. “That way, Pooh,” he said, “you know you're gonna see that person again.” See you later Miss Lucille.

© February 14, 2010

About the Author

Glynis M. Boyd resides in Richmond, Virginia and con-siders writing as necessary as breathing. She has been awarded several fellowships and commendations for po-etry and essays, from organizations such asthe National Book Foundation and Voices of our Nations (VONA); she also conducts creative expressions workshops for girls and women. She achieved her dream of meeting Lucille Clifton in June 2009 at James Madison University while there for a week-long workshop celebrating Miss Clifton's life and work; Glynis was able to get her copy of "Blessing the Boats" signed by Miss Clifton, which she

will always treasure. Glynis' next goal is to pursue an MFA in creative non-fiction and playwrighting.

6 The Village Griot

Vows

A vow to commit

A covenant for two

An eternal promise

Often spoken

Never broken

Taken in matrimony

Where fear and tears

Will not flourish

Shall not remain

With this vow

Husbands to wives

Wives to husbands

Standing together

Coupling hands

Expressing love

Often spoken

Never broken

Sealed with a kiss

A vow to commit

To each other

As they

Stand before Him

© 2008 Sharon Moore Stenhouse

Saving Daylight

Birds merrily hold their conversations seated atop the street lamp in the early morning dawn, wondrously talking about the thing us humans do like saving daylight as they yawn.

Birds stake out the lay of the land looking for a home, while late on a Saturday night, humans move to push one hour, ushering in the time for daydreams -the birth of spring, much to their delight.

Birds return from winter vacation flying in from the south, seeking rest, a homey place -perhaps some porch’s eave; some comfy space to settle in, needing to build a nest in time to lay their eggs.

Birds bring to mind the spring-like things us humans do, breaking away from mundane days of early afternoon darkness, cold winter nights, renewed love of nature as we breathe sweet scents of air, watching brown arrays of grass and trees turn green, crafting magnificent sights.

And temperatures warm, sprinkling showers to bring spring flowers for joy just as the bees and the butterflies and yes, the birds rejoice when we do this thing us humans do-year after year, saving daylight hours.

© 2009 Sharon Moore Stenhouse

homage to my hips from Lucille Clifton's book Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir, 1969-1980.

these hips are big hips they need space to move around in. they don't fit into little petty places. these hips are free hips. they don't like to be held back. these hips have never been enslaved, they go where they want to go they do what they want to do. these hips are mighty hips. these hips are magic hips. i have known them to put a spell on a man and spin him like a top!

the lost women from Lucille Clifton’s book Next, 1987 i need to know their names those women i would have walked with jauntily the way men go in groups swinging their arms, and the ones those sweating women whom i would have joined after a hard game to chew the fat what would we have called each other laughing joking into our beer? where are my gangs, my teams, my mislaid sisters? all the women who could have known me, where in the world are their names?

The Village Griot 7

I Make Love To Hope I make love to hope

Hoping that when a kid runs in this school to make gun smoke

That the trigger says no

That the dope dealer says no

That the misled little girl says no

That color lines become so blind it erases bad times

I make love to hope

That suicide bombers say no

That dictators say no

That super powers say no

That we understand that we can’t use God’s words to change folks

Regardless of the way you spell it God says no

Jesus says no

Allah says no

Budda says no

Tired people say no

I make love to hope

That you don’t have to stab folks in the back to cope

That anything is possible

If you believe it to be so

That good men live

That honest women live

That we both can raise our kids

Without separate homes

I make love to hope

I just wonder why you don’t

© 2008 Lamont Carey

A Flower Is Blooming

There was this flower that was laying flat

on the ground it seemed to be smashed

the leaves were broken stem was damaged

it was dried up from lack of water

and nutrients until one day

someone came along dug the poor flower up

and transplanted it into a lovely

garden where the owner had an awesome love

for the flowers in her garden see this garden had other flowers

of all kinds, sizes and shapes see all of these flowers

had been transplanted into the garden at first the flower felt it didn't belong

but the other flowers started whispering to it saying little encouraging words

little by little the flower started to heal looking around at all the awesome flowers around it

daily it was feed and watered and then one flower joined the garden

being transplanted there himself he looked upon the flower

decided to drop some miracle grow on it at the same time

the others continued to whisper and cheer it on

till one day the little flower looked around

and noticed the others didn't seem so big any more it noticed it could breath better

it could feel the sun to see that

because of all the love, support and encouragement the other flowers showed

it had grown into one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden

as the flower looked around smiling at the one that dropped the miracle grow

it saw that it had finally found home for now she was blooming

no longer dried out and broken it had matured and grown

for now it had the highest honor a flower could have it was BLOOMING...

© 2009 Huniie

more poetry on P. 17

8 The Village Griot

The Village Griot 9

“Hi, my name is Lamont Carey just in case you don't know. I am the strange dude next door who speaks with a smirk. It isn't because I'm not friendly. My intentions are not to force myself on you so I will give you your space. I am an artist: poetry and spoken word... actor... screen and playwright... author... workshop facilitator... radio personality... director of a nonprofit... film director... casting director... and ex-con.”

Lamont Carey was born in Washington D.C., but raised in prison. While incarcerated, the arts helped him to refocus and set new goals. He began writing in 1994. “I am determined to survive and make the world a better place by creating opportunities where hopelessness dwells. I am devoted to uplifting communities of people where struggling overpowers dreams. It is my belief that I am responsible for some of the despair in our community because of my criminal past. So it is my obligation to inspire and give back to individuals who have forgotten how to smile.” He is recognized as the “Voice of the Streets.”

Lamont was taught that the drug game would bring riches. He thought buying BMWs and fur coats was a sign of his success. By the age of 16, Lamont was charged as an adult for violent crimes and drug related offenses. Then he was convicted and sent to prison, where thousands of little boys and men believed in the same fairytale.

Lamont’s Message

“Too many youth believe that acceptance and escape can be found through criminal activity. The truth? The only thing that can be found in criminal activity is being arrested, getting murdered by someone you know, and growing older in a cell with someone you can never fully trust. I had to come face to face with that harsh reality. It changed me. Change was not easy because all I knew was fast money and violence. However, having determination and a goal produces amazing things. I eventually enrolled in college. Then I dreamed of starting my first business Serving-in-Time. After my release I started two other companies Contact Visits and LaCarey Entertainment, LLC.”

“Every child and adult is capable of great things if they are made aware of other options. My community denied me that knowledge. It is my goal to be proof that change is possible and that other opportunities exist. Once I realized that I had choices and control of my life nothing could stand in my way. We all have this capability regardless of where we come from, what color we were born, or our education. I only hope that others see my

change as proof that anything is really possible if you give it a try.”

Lamont is an electrifying performer

When he enters the stage, he consumes it. He has the ability to change the moment in time with a performance so captivating that audiences have said they felt whisked away into the depths of his places.

Experiencing Lamont Carey perform, changes your perception of what you and others have really lived. His highly anticipated performances at the Kennedy Center's Annual Page to Stage Festival, produced by The Prison Foundation receive rave reviews.

His latest project is creator and director of a new TV series and stage play entitled Laws of the STREET.

Beyond his own creations Lamont has made appearances in several stage plays and films, including the hit HBO series The WIRE and Def Poetry Jam. Lamont has graced the stage with some of the worlds greatest performers from R&B to Jazz to spoken word artists. His fired performances have le ft sprinklers erupting at such places as The Lincoln Theater, The Nuyorican Poets Café, Bus Boys and Poets, The Hip-Hop Theater

Festival, The French Embassy, The Cuban Embassy, and countless open mic venues throughout the U.S. He was voted Poet of the Year by Dreams in Motion in 2005 and received the Community Poet of the Year award in 2007 from the National Underground Spoken Word and Poetry Awards (the poetic equivalent of the Oscars). In 2008 he received the Congressional Achievement Award, the U.S. Senate Achievement Award, and the Washington D.C. Good Black Man Award for his commitment to the community.

His business enterprises, LaCarey Entertainment, LLC and lamontspov.tk open doors for members of the community who have something to say and want to covey it through the arts. Lamont Says... “I am not perfect but I am better than I was yesterday. However, it was yesterday that gave me my faith and molded who I am today.”

Reaching Into My Darkness is an upcoming book of poetry. It is a reflection of my pain. “I have witnessed a lot of heartache, hopelessness, insecurities, abuse, struggle, determination, and seen the odds beaten by those thought destined to fail. This is survival. This is the book where I put the baggage of my past. It also contains some of my best-known spoken word pieces: I Hate This Place, I Love My Son,, Confidence, IMAGINE, and You So Ugly.” For bookings email Lamont Carey. written by L. Carey—edited by SMS

“Too many youth believe that

acceptance and escape can be found through

criminal activity.”

10 The Village Griot

Members of The Village Griot Community.

B rooklen Borne is a native New Yorker who grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. He began writing short stories in his sophomore year of high school, based on his

street experience. His high school English teacher enjoyed his stories and advised him that he should enter his writings in the state wide writing contest. He didn’t follow through with her suggestion because the streets were more appealing.

Four days after graduating from high school, Brooklen entered the Marine Corps; in the Aviation Supply Field. As a Marine he also served as a Drill Instructor, Anti-terrorist Instructor and upon retiring, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.

Years later a tragic event in Brooklen’s life became a pivotal point, leading him back to embrace his passion for writing. He is now working on a novel detailing that event titled: Based on a Lie Brooklen has completed four novellas, one of them titled: Being Homeless Is Not an Option was published by Publish America LLLP. That book can be purchased on Amazon.com, along with all major online book stores. He also collaborated with Savannah J. on a short story titled: The Coffee Shop for an Anthology published by AAMBC Publications. From his raw manuscripts, Brooklen has created a fan base in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Brooklen holds an Associates Degree from Charminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii and a Bachelor’s Degree from National University in La Jolla, California; both are in Criminal Justice with a minor in Behavioral Science.

The Write Lover is available at www.brooklenborne.com

The Prodigal Son Savannah J.

Five years later . . .

Adaiah Preston has worked faithfully to provide for his family. His ministry, The Prodigal Son, has helped countless young men give up the gang life and turn themselves around; when he stops and thinks about it, life could not be any sweeter. By a chance encounter he runs into Aisha his former lover; as he looks at her, his mind flashes back to the last time he saw her and the way he wrecked her life. Will he apologize for the pain he caused, turn and walk away or will he allow the unexplained attraction he now feels for her to pull him into her deadly trap?

The Prodigal Son is available at Savannah J. Publications

The Village Griot 11

Amani na Mapenzi: Love & Peace Volume Two The Poetry and Essays of a’Kihoro Sharon Moore Stenhouse

This book is a continuation of the theme “There is no peace without love.” Volume Two contains 21 poems and 18 essays designed to open the hearts and minds of the reader. When reading the poetry such as Water's Edge and essays like Mother Wit and Karma or Be Careful What You Do: Be Careful Who You Love, the spiritual message throughout is God's truth revealed.

Published: 2009 ISBN: 978-0-557-12718-4 Available at Amazon and LULU

Huniie also known as Holly Parker was born in Burlington, NC, the oldest of five children. At the age of thirteen she was placed in the foster system and was on her own by the age of seventeen. After years of living the abusive cycle she realized she had a job to do. Thus, she started the long journey of breaking the cycle. This job is to share the message of hope and healing through the gifts and talents God has given her.

She is the proud mother of six young men and women. And, the “memaw” as her oldest granddaughter nicknamed her, of soon to be ten grandbabies. Huniie lived in VA with her children up until 2008. At this time she decided it was a time for a change. So she and her two youngest young men, rode the bus for 23 hours, to Ohio, where they now reside.

Huniie is a poet, abstract painter and spoken word artist. She has been writing since high school, where an English teacher took an interest in her poems and short stories and encouraged her to keep writing. Huniie started out sharing her poems with a few friends, but it wasn’t until around five years ago that she started sharing them online. After much encouragement from a close friend she started performing her poems. Not long after she recorded her first piece “I too have a voice”.

As Huniie realized she couldn’t put all of her feelings into words, a friend introduced her to abstract painting. Since then she has had pictures bought to be hung in homes as far away as Germany.

At this time she has two books at the publishers and one cd in the works. She has performed with spoken word greats such as Max Parthas, Tribal Raine, Queen Unique, Epiphany, Lady Blue, Jada Rae, Quietstorm of Spokenword, and many others.

Huniie shares her message of hope and healing where ever the door opens to her.

Help with My Inner Garden is available at Publish America.

12 The Village Griot

The book business is a billion dollar industry however, grabbing your slice of the pie will require skills far beyond simply writing well and conveying your message clearly.

So, if you’re thinking about becoming a published author read this before you power up the PC and prepare to pen a masterpiece, because there are a few landmines to watch out for on the road to self publishing success.

Following are primary reasons many authors fail. Is your book positioned to fly or flop?

1. Publishing books with unprofessional covers. Despite what your Mom might have told you, people DO judge books by their covers and if your cover does not l ook l i ke i t was professionally designed it won’t sell as many copies as you’d hope.

2. Not testing a title before it’s printed. Often when we have such a great idea we can become so attached that we loose objectivity.

3. Without advance marketing and pre-sales promotion it’s very easy to overestimate the initial quantity for your first order. As soon as you have a quality cover designed you want to use that visual representation as way to promote your book, generate buzz and best of all gauge the size your first print run.

4. Movement encourages success, and very few things guarantee movement like having advanced marketing for your book. Book announcements, virtual book tours and bundled book bonus offers are just a few things that you can do in advance to market your book and boost your bottom line.

5. Paying large amounts for services upfront to “save” money. Many first time authors believe that they will save money by printing a large quantity of books all at once. In fact, that is only partly true. If you print 5000 copies of your book to “save” $1.00 per copy on printing but only sell 1000 copies, you may be loosing more than you save if you haven’t factored in the additional money you need for marketing and promoting the remaining 4000 copies.

6. Printing in larger quantities than research has proven you will be able to sell. The book business is more a marketing and promotion business than it is a publishing business. No matter how great your book might be, you’ll face financial frustration if you blindly print 5000 copies on the “hope” that they will sell quickly.

7. To keep your initial “savings” from actually costing you future sales, consider working with a Print-on-Demand printer that will allow you to purchase smaller quantity print runs. While it might seem like you’re paying more per copy the reality is you’re making a more financially sound business move.

8. Working without a coach or mentor. Information is great , but too much information can actually lead to inactivity. Have you ever been so blown away by a great idea that you didn’t know where to begin; so you did nothing? It happens to the best of us. That’s why most often it’s not more information that will lead to your success, but a structured plan and accountability to see it through.

9. Writing books you think people “should” read. Unless you are writing total fiction, do your research. The market is flooded with books on topics the author believes the public will want to read.

10. It might not be the best investment of your time or resources to be the first one to write the book. If your book addresses an issue that people “should” be concerned about, but that they don’t know about, don’t care about or are to afraid to take action on, don’t write the book.

11. Know your demograph ic . W r i t e f o r established markets that have proven to be willing to pay for stories they can relate to, information they are seeking and solutions to problems that will enrich their lives.

12. Waiting until the book is completed to market it. Writing a book can seem like a single focus task, and it should be at times. But authors must never loose sight of the fact that books are written to be sold. If no one knows about, or anticipates your book’s release, then your initial sales will be low and disappointing, making it di f f icult to cover the init ia l investment and even harder to play catch-up.

The Village Griot 13

There are many other reasons that first time authors don’t reach their full potential. Many established authors have been there so they understand what it’s like to be long on enthusiasm and ideas, but lacking a full understanding of all the nuances to be successful as an author. Network with people who are passionate about helping aspiring (and even previously published) authors write, publish and promote their way to self publishing success.

By avoiding the many ways to sabotage your success, you will experience the upside of self publishing. Happy writing!

Branding 101

Logos are not brands. Brands are not created by designers or marketing people. A brand is the way we look at things, places and organizations based on first-hand experiences and relationships. The brand is the reputation, the image, the perception and the reality all wrapped into one equation. For the brand to be as powerful as it can it has to be consistent in appearance and voice.

Good advice from the Johns Hopkins University Marketing & Creative Services.

Things Writers Should Know

Across 3. The art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken.

4. Shows agreement with subject or object.

7. Ancient units of weight, or innate abilities.

8. To cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally.

9. A collection of literary pieces, such as poems, short stories, or plays.

10. To render (music), as by playing or singing.

14. Teaches English at University of Virginia.

15. The maker of; creator; originator.

16. Keeps an oral history.

18. A group of people having common interests.

19. How do you mind your p's and q's?

Down 1. Mode of expressing thought in writing or speaking.

2. A natural or acquired skill or talent.

3. To make publicly or generally known.

5. The profession of a writer or author.

6. Inherent intelligence or common sense. (two words)

11. A class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form.

12. 1939 supporting actress.

13. What a brand is not.

17. Made while writing on a computer.

Solution on p. 31

14 The Village Griot

Malagasy (Madagascar)

Malagasy Language: Velona iray trano, maty iray fasana.

French: Vivant, nous habitons sous le même toît. Mort, nous nous reposons dans le même tombeau.

Swahili: Tukiwa hai twaishi nyumba moja chini ya paa moja. Wakati wa kufa hupumzika katika kaburi moja

English: Alive, we live in the same house or under the same roof. Dead, we rest in the same tomb.

Background, Explanation, and Everyday Use:

Although the Malagasy people in Madagascar are socially divided into ethnic groups or politically into coastal and inland regions, this proverb shows how Malagasy cultures cherish unity. House and tomb are two important symbols embodying this value. When we are alive, we live in the same house; when we die, we will be buried in the same tomb.

One can imagine how a traditional Malagasy family used to gather around the fire in the evening sharing both the events of the day and the same meal as well. One also can imagine how the same family with all the villagers, at the time of death, gather around the deceased body, for mourning, prayers and rituals and, at the indicated time, bring their loved one to the family tomb for burial.

Whoever comes to a house will share everything it has. Malagasy people and culture believe that we are one and united not only in this earthly life but, also in the life after. Whatever we do now will always be remembered and affect our status after death. Not being buried in a family tomb would be a curse for anybody. The proverb favours [sic] unity, solidarity and community life and their consequences such as hospitality, sharing, reconciliation, etc. It emphasizes unity but does not exclude diversity in all its forms. This proverb is one of many that show how Malagasy people conceive and value their family and social life. The proverb not only applies to the nuclear family, but also to the extended family and beyond.

Source: Rev. Jocelyn Rabeson, SJ; Librarian -- Hekima College, Nairobi, Kenya

a April

1928.04.04 ...Maya Angelou born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri.

1939.04.02 ...Marvin Gaye is born in Washington, D.C. His catalog of hits include Lets get it on and What’s going on? ...Marvin Gaye died 1984.04.01

1949.04.01 ...The radical poet Gil Scott‐Heron best known for his militant poem and song The Revolution Will Not Be Televised was born in Chicago, Illinois to a Jamaican father and African American mother.

1975.04.05 ... Arthur Ashe becomes the only black man to win Wimbledon, the prestigious grass‐court tournament.

m May

1897.05.09 ...Author Rudolph Fisher, who was also a physician, dramatist, musician and orator was born in Washington D.C.. He played a very important role in the Harlem Renaissance.

1930.05.19 ...Lorraine Hansberry born in Chicago. Hansberry was an African American playwright and author of political speeches, letters, and essays. Her most famous work, A Raisin in the Sun, was inspired by her family's legal battle against racially segregated housing laws in the Washington Park Subdivision of the South Side of Chicago during her childhood.

1969.05.05 ...Moneta Sleet win a Pulitzer Prize for his photograph of Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr. and her daughter at her husband's funeral, making him the first African‐ American photographer for journalism.

j June

1862.06.05 ...The United States recognizes the Republic of Haiti.

1898.06.10 ...Oscar winning actress Hattie McDaniel born in Wichita, Kansas. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939).

1941.06.14 ...Acclaimed writer and Rhodes scholar John Edgar Wideman born in Washington, DC.

1943.06.07 ...Author / Grammy‐nominated poet Nikki Giovanni born in Knoxville, Tennessee

2004.06.06 ...Phylicia Rashad becomes the first black actress to win a Tony for a leading dramatic role for her work in A Raisin in the Sun.

The Village Griot 15

radio account. There are however a number of people who understand the power of this media in terms of marketing and promotion, and they

are seriously making it work in their favor.

Having myself been interviewed on three occasions, I can say the experiences were very enjoyable. The purpose of the interviews is to sell my books but before I can begin the book promotion, the other important factor is to promote my own persona. Without the luxury of having my books on the New York Times bestseller list or the magic of Oprah’s book club, I am quick to realize that the listeners don’t care one iota about the title of my books, where they could buy them or how much they cost until they determined if they like me and what I have to say.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Even when you are not visible, as in radio, that first impression is very important. Whether you are the host or the guest, the listener can detect your mood, spirit and emotions.

A few tips...

The host sets the tone of the radio show. If the host is having a bad day and allows that to come across on the show, the interview can tank.

To the host... know something about both the topic and the person being interviewed. Ask questions that will allow the guest to feel comfortable, and most of all, let the guest answer without going off point.

To the guest... be yourself and be prepared to talk about yourself, what works for you as a writer, i.e. the comfort or joy of writing, the love of doing research, something in your testimony that may have sparked your writing, etc.

Speak clearly. If you are a fast talker, slow it down a little so that your words connect understandably.

Writers write in a rhythm that is a reflection of their own personality. The first time I heard a interview with Walter Mosley his speaking pattern allowed me to hear the voice Easy Rawlins, one of his most popular characters.

Smile... when you smile while speaking it comes across on the air.

Try browsing various show categories, then look up by most popular, most recent or by the show

Until the 21st century, the only way to obtain radio broadcasts over the Internet was through your PC. This has changed, as wireless connectivity feeds Internet broadcasts to car radios, PDAs and cell or smart phones. This new generation of wireless devices has greatly expanded the reach and convenience of Internet radio.

Internet radio has no geographic limitations, so a broadcaster in Kuala Lumpur can be heard in Chicago, San Francisco, the Australian Outback; anywhere in the world. Internet radio is not limited to just the audio. An Internet radio broadcast can be accompanied by photos or graphics, text and links, and interactivity such as message boards and chat rooms.

One genre in particular is Internet talk radio. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, Internet talk radio is buzzing. Just about every developed country in the world has some sort of talk show scheduled via call-in or podcast on the Internet. A Google search for Internet talk radio –can you believe this- resulted in 37,000,000 hits. One can find everything from animal channels to business, entertainment, healthy living, an information channel, horoscopes, money, sports and political talk –including Rush Limbaugh, travel, women, and even a Ghostly Talk Paranormal Radio show. One of the most noted is National Public Radio or NPR, which began as broadcast radio and falls under a different category than the focus of this article.

The talk radio show phenomenon or Internet streaming / digital radio has taken a foothold in terms of media usage. The top ten site hits offering free accounts for radio hosts such as blogtalkradio, Voice America, Live 365, etc. have the same basic taglines; the largest or the single largest producer of Internet talk radio programming in the world. With enough money to buy into the numerous web search crawler engines, that tag line could well describe a guy (or girl) sitting in a hut somewhere in the dessert with the right tools and Internet access to host their own show.

Perhaps there are millions of people out there looking for 15 minutes of fame, or they have so much to say and not enough people willing to listen that egocentrism kicks in and they set up a talk

16 The Village Griot

names and listen to podcasts of past shows. For example, one of the new contributing writers Denise Bolds broadcast a wonderful show titled Power Between the Pages: African Americans and Literacy.

A recent poll from The Village Griot Fan Page on Facebook (66% female; 31% male; average age 35-44) asked the question: Do you listen to or participate on Internet talk radio?

A Sample of Internet Radio Shows of The Village Griot Fans and Contributors*

Black Empowered Men – John T. Wills, host

Christian Authors on Tour – Lynn Pinder/Joy Turner, hosts

Da Lamont Carey Show – Lamont Carey, host

Pearls B4 Swine Aisha Bumbrey, host

Women Talk Live Ann Quasman, host

*This is just a sampling of the many.

Article by Sharon Moore Stenhouse

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.” ...Michael Joseph Jackson

“Think what it is that you believe in, what you can bring to the world by your involvement, and just do it.” ...Eileen Cline, Dean Emeritus, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore, Maryland.

“One definition of eternity is that we are not alone on this planet, that there are those who've gone before and those who will come, and that there is a community of spirits.” ...Rita Dove, former Poet Laureate of the United States

“It would be against all nature for all the Negroes to be either at the bottom, top, or in between. We will go where the internal drive carries us like everybody else. It is up to the individual.” ...Zora Neale Hurston

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” ...Booker T. Washington

“Eclecticism is the word. Like a jazz musician who creates his own style out of the styles around him, I play by ear.” ...Ralph Ellison

“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” ...Frederick Douglass

“A woman who is willing to be herself and pursue her own potential runs not so much the risk of loneliness as the challenge of exposure to more interesting men -- and people in general.” ...Lorraine Hansberry

“If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” ...Maya Angelou

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” ...Michelangelo

The Village Griot Fan Responses

22%

22%

13%

27%

9%

1%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Interview ed on a show .

Called in to participate.

Listen frequently.

Listen sometimes.

Never listen.

Who has the time?

The Village Griot 17

Her Happiness I wanted to be the reason she felt life was perfect

So I showed how my love is more than worth it

She needs a man that keeps storms away and love alive

The world will know her happiness because it will reflect in her eyes

Right where I reside

With me she will never be alone

I promise that I will never be gone

Her strong arms to hold her steady

Never forcing anything on her just helping when she is ready

Loving her doesn’t describe how I feel

Jumping through clouds chasing sunlight would describe my thrill

She is everything I adore

Building a life with her who could pray for more

She sets new standards of being human

Being a woman

And I declare I will worship her at her throne

Servant, lover, friend, soul mate

I will be the overseer of her fate

Protect her soft skin

With all that I am

Refusing to allow her to experience a chill

She looked over at me and said,

You are trying to control how I live

© 2008 Lamont Carey

In shock As I write this

Not knowing if in poem form it will be

My heart and mind are in shock

As I visited around the net one day

I saw someone my page had graced

IHateInterracial

Was his name

I stopped by his page to do the same

People like me he was on a mission to destroy

Was his claim to fame

In his picture

He looked as light as my son

So shocked was I that I gentle spoke

Of how shocked I was though

To his thoughts he had a right

Wished him a great weekend

And off I went

Next day in my notes I found

A declaration of such utter bitterness and

Hatred in a 22 year Old I had never found

Pro-African he said he was

He hated Bob Marley and all like him

As I look around I see

In our lovely country

Ones that hate blacks

Across the walk ones that hate whites

Ones that hate mixed

And this list goes on

Is there any wonder our lovely country is in a fix

All across the net

My pages are splattered with

Lets get rid of the black man

Lets go back to Africa

It saddens my heart

It hurts that we have such thoughts

Do I wonder why our young girls are getting raped

Our elderly mothers are being robbed, raped then murdered

Why our youth are dropping out of school

WE US have done this to them

Our homeless are doubling

Why, because we are in such a fight

To tell who is right

Just by the color of our skin

I am interested to see

What will happen on the day

We stand before God to see

It's not the skin

But what's within

That will be judged

But then I forgot

Many do not believe in him

Just in his creation

IF man can stand for hatred

Then now this second this minute

I stand for LOVE

If I loose a friend or two today

You were never there any way

I am sick this day

My heart is heavy

I ask for healing

Not for me but for our nation

It is full of a congestion

Called hatred

And has left me

IN SHOCK…

© 3.20.2010 Huniie

18 The Village Griot

The Village Griot 19

A ll things Nina is coming to Atlanta. The Nina Simone Estate, as it continues to educate in the spirit of the legacy of Dr.

Nina Simone, has initiated a national initiative, the Nina Simone Experience, which will be launched in April 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Perhaps the most personal tributes to the High Priestess of Soul will come from her daughter Simone, who is a renowned singer in her own right, carving out her own legacy in Broadway shows such as Rent, Aida, Les Miserables and The Lion King – and who will be performing during this event. “I’m in a unique position, as my career has my days filled but as an only child, I know that Mommy’s legacy rests squarely on my shoulders. Sometimes it can be a daunting task, being the steward of a legacy as large as Nina Simone, while carrying my own. As so many who have come before me, I know I have to be up to the challenge, but I’m not alone, Mommy is with me. So I continue. Everywhere I go, so many people have come up to me, telling me their Nina stories,” said Simone. “They loved her, but at the end of her life, I don’t think Mommy really felt that love, so I knew I had to do something.”

The Estate has responded to this renewed interest by developing a multi-genre, multi-faceted arts series titled: The Nina Simone Experience. This immersion into the life, style and music of Dr. Nina Simone includes visual fine arts exhibition and a number of program events including a fashion show; interactive panels; an evening of spoken word poetry and performance art -- all inspired by the life of Nina Simone. The Nina Simone Experience will take place in the c i ty ’s h istor ic Westend Community at Space Atlanta, 1310 White Street, Atlanta Georgia, April 16- 25, 2010 with the opening gala and collector’s preview the evening of April 16th.

“We are doing something a little bit different here,” said Anthony R. Page, the committee chairman of the project. This was important to Nina, she was inspired as a child and always wanted to inspire other young people. Throughout the entire series we hope the public will get a richer, more engaging sense of Nina Simone, not just the music, but what motivated the music and how it resonates with us today.” E. Joyce Moore, national curator of the visual art exhibition said: “This is an exciting exhibition. Artists from across the nation, even across the globe, were invited to participate in this exhibition. There are many participating artists

who are from the Georgia area as well, and the diversity in art, artists and genre reflects the complexity of Dr. Simone as a person, a musician and the historical impact of her work.”

The associated program events include Dr. Rosetta Ross, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Spelman College, who will be examining Nina Simone’s impact on women issues. Spelman College will host a panel discussion on Black Womanhood in the twenty-first century, Anthony Joiner, locally well-known event planner, will host an evening that includes some of Atlanta’s greatest spoken word artists, dancers and up and coming vocalists. There will be planned guided tours that will give young and old alike the experience of art and history framed in the life of Dr Nina Simone. The Art Institute of Atlanta , a ful l partner in the development of the Nina Simone Experience, and leader in arts educat ion, has many of i ts departments, faculty and students directly involved in the design, development and production of this project. The school has cultivated a student art exhibition based upon Nina Simone. The exhibition opened in their campus gallery March 11, 2010.

.View the Nina Simone Young Gifted & Black Awards Trailer About the Contributor

A R e n a i s s a n c e w o m a n defined, E. Joyce Moore is an artist, writer, author, poet, community act iv i s t and advocate of the arts, E. Joyce Moore, whose artistic name is JEMI, holds a passion for the arts since childhood. Joyce is a poet and a writer of numerous articles published by Black Suburban Journal newspaper, American Vision

m a g a z i n e , a n d N e w s l i n k , a p r o f e s s i o n a l development publication, including an on-going column “From the Stoop.” She wrote play and movie reviews for NUVO newspaper, and has op-eds and articles published with an array of e-zines, national and international online news sources and various hard-copy magazines and publications. She was a feature writer for BBM Magazine. Joyce provides her take on current social and political events through her blog site: She is a contributor to Huffington Post and a new writer for New Visions Magazine, a New York publication.

E. Joyce Moore

20 The Village Griot

“”

“ May is Older Americans Month—a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. Each year the Administration on Aging (AoA) issues a theme for Older Americans Month to assist our National Aging Services Network of state, tribal, area agencies on aging, and community services providers plan for activities that might take place in May or throughout the year.

This year’s Older Americans Month theme—Age Strong! Live Long!— recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations. They have lived through wars and hard times, as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity. They pioneered new technologies in medicine, communications, and industry while spearheading a cultural revolution that won equal rights for minorities, women, and disabled Americans.

These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans, and underscore the debt of gratitude we owe to the generations that have given our society so much. But the contributions of older Americans are not only in the past.

Older Americans are living longer and are more active than ever before. And with the aging of the baby boomer generation—the largest in our nation’s history—America’s senior population is expected to number 71.5 million by 2030.

The Village Griot 21

W hile browsing Facebook a few months back I noticed a Canadian friend’s status post... “@

Mckee D’s waiting for my car to get tuned up. You don't realize how many seniors you have in your area until you go to McDonalds around 10am. Makes me wonder how we honour [sic] our seniors?”

How do we honor the elders? How do we say thank you for just being the wonderful people that they are? How do we recognize that those who are still with us are our living libraries and language teachers? How do we say that we are ashamed for not doing something about making them the centers of our lives?

While our culture highly values youth, according to Proverbs 16:31, the gray hair of an older individual is a crown of glory, attained by a righteous life.

What is honor? Honor means to treat with respect or favor. Why should we honor the elderly? Honoring the elderly is not just a matter of good manners or following the norms of society. Honoring our elders is a statute of God, as recorded in Leviticus 19:32: “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” (NIV)

Social gerontologist Robert Atchley of Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado says, “When a young person encounters an older person in Japan, the junior bows lower and longer than the senior does. Japanese elders get the first dip in the hot bath and the first serving at meals. This reverence, one would think, should translate into a better quality of life for older folks. Despite their respect, Japanese people know as little about the elderly as do Americans. In addition, although they talk about honoring their elders, the ideal is hard to live up to in modern-day Japan.”

One factor that can arise from heightened respect for the elderly is whether or not older people are allowed-or expected-to continue to contribute to society. Although many cultures profess to honor

older women, in reality, women often fare worse than their male peers because some consider them less important to the community than are men.

Some social scientists argue that seniors' slide from positions of respect in America stems from the government’s solutions that arose out of the Great Depression and Social Security. “Retirement wasn't created because old people couldn't work,” says Atchley. The reasoning behind passing the social security bill was in addition to reducing poverty, part of the goal of the retirement plan was “to lure [older] people out of the work force.”

“Retirement wasn't created because old people couldn't work,” says Atchley. The government wanted the scarce jobs to go to people who were younger and had families to support. As a result, now we have this image that people over 65 are kind of worthless in any kind of productive sense.”

This notion encourages Americans to categorize people based on age rather than their abilities.

Today, you're more likely to find the 65-plus crowd traveling to exotic locales, starting new and more fulfilling careers, or taking care of the grandkids as a full-time gig. Thanks to medical advancements, more Americans are living into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, shifting the public perception of retirement and “old age.”

Productive aging people do not lose t h e i r a b i l i t y t o f u n c t i o n independently however, when they

do, the quality of life depends on the resources of the family or community.

A good health-care system can help. For example, elderly people in rural Ireland can stay in the towns where everybody knows them, partly due to a health-care system that pays for daily care such as nurses who visit seniors at home. Thus, relatives are released from caretaking burdens and can simply enjoy their elder kin.

In Sweden, where desire for independence is as strong as in the United States, home health-care services go out of their way to enable elderly people to stay in their homes, even to the point of modifying houses to accommodate age-related deficits.

The fact that seniors meet at McKee D’s at a set

Leviticus 19:32:

“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.

I am the LORD.” (NIV)

22 The Village Griot

time each day is an indication of a lack of availability or interest within the community to provide resources for productive activity.

One way the U.S. can work towards honoring our elderly is through educating policymakers and the public about the economic, social, and personal imperatives. Generations United acts as a catalyst for stimulating collaboration between our aging population, children, and youth organizations, providing a forum to explore areas of common ground while celebrating the richness of each generation.

Think about it, without our elders, would we even be here? We owe them our lives, and our respect for presenting us with our lives.

Wisdomkeepers

Americans think of older generations as “the elderly,” but people in other countries honor their forebears by calling them simply “elders.” Here's how other cultures view their seniors.

In the Muslim world, nursing homes for older people are virtually unheard of. Caring for one's parents during their advanced years is considered an honor and a blessing.

Native American elders are known as “wisdomkeepers” and are thought to have a close connection to the spiritual and natural worlds. These elders act as caretakers of the planet, taking at least seven generations into account before doing something that could harm the environment.

African culture

In Africa, elders are respected for their decades of life experience and practical wisdom. African elders are seen as trustworthy mediators between deceased ancestors and the living family group.

According to African tradition, elders who lack the ability to work are still regarded as a treasure of the family because a man of experience is a man of wisdom. Africans truly believe that filial piety is the most important of all kindness and gratitude.

The Libation - A libation is a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a god. In certain African cultures, the ritual of pouring libation is an essential ceremonial tradition and a way of giving homage to the ancestors. Ancestors are not only respected, but also invited to participate in public functions (as are

also the gods). A prayer is offered in the form of libations, calling the ancestors to attend. The ritual is generally performed by an elder. Although water may be used, the drink is typically some traditional wine (e.g. palm wine), and the libation ritual is accompanied by an invitation (and invocation) to the ancestors and gods.

Chinese culture

In many Chinese families, parents move in with their children when their children get married. The parents help raise their children’s’ children, and, when the parents themselves need care, their children are prepared to care for their parents until the end of their life.

In the United States, Chinese-Americans continue to honor elders. But they are not the only group that maintains physically close ties with their parents and grandparents. As a matter of tradition, seniors are respected and honored.

Latino culture

In Latino culture, the traditional organization of the family includes the father as head of the family, with the mother as head of the home. As a family grows too big for the house, the sons and daughters will move next door, staying as close as they can to their original family.

In America, this family unit helps to support the mother financially. “After all the help mi madre gave me when I was younger, I want to help her too, so she doesn’t have to work when she’s too old.”

African-American culture

“In African history, families stayed together, no matter how big they grew. We had families of more than 50 people starting their own villages, with the eldest grandfather and grandmother leading the rest. In America, we can’t do that exactly, but we can keep the love and respect alive in other ways.”

In traditional African, Chinese, Japanese, Latino, and African-American households, moving far away from family may not be the norm. When you’re never expected to separate from your parents, as in the African, Hispanic and Asian cultures, care giving is a normal process in the grand scheme of life, so children born into these cultures expect to do as their parents did—and their parents’ parents before them did.

“We owe them our lives, and our respect for presenting us with our lives.”

The Village Griot 23

Family reunions play an important role in bringing together families where often the elders are looked upon with respect and dignity.

Resources:

Generations United

Naropa University

Strength for Caring

The Culture Connection – Sage Crossroads

Article by Sharon Moore Stenhouse

An excerpt of this article appeared in my column titled Baltimore Senior Issues Examiner on Examiner.com, and received an excellent review from Dr. Irving Smith of the Johns Hopkins University Certificate on Aging Program, Psychology of Aging.

Currently matriculated in the program, the author is scheduled to begin a final capstone project during the summer.

Though Abraham L incoln issued the Emanc ipat ion Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had minimal immediate effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in Texas, which was almost entirely under Confederate control. Texas was resistant to the Emancipation Proclamation, and though slavery was very prevalent in East Texas, it was not as common in the Western areas of Texas, particularly the Hill Country, where most German-Americans were opposed to the practice. Juneteenth commemorates June 18 and 19, 1865. June 18 is the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.

The holiday originated in Galveston, Texas; for more than a century, the state of Texas was the primary home of Juneteenth celebrations, and since 1980, Juneteenth has been an official state holiday in Texas. It is considered a "partial staffing holiday", meaning that state offices do not close, but some employees will be using a floating holiday to take the day off. Its informal observance has spread to other states, with a few celebrations even taking place in other countries.

As of September 2009, 32 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or state holiday observance. These are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

24 The Village Griot

great job with the book club, the ladies are raving about the food. Go on out there and take a bow.”

June Bug turns wiping his hands on his apron. “Really? You want me to go out and speak to them?” A look of surprise and pleasure covers his face.

“Yes, son I do. You’ve earned it; go ahead.” Mr. Campbell places his hands on June Bugs shoulders giving him a squeeze.

Taking a deep breath, June Bug removes his apron and heads toward to the sma l l room reserved for large crowds. He silently thanks God as he walks through the door.

“Good evening ladies, my name is Jameel and I just wanted to come out and make sure you all are enjoying your meal and to see if there is anything else we can get you.”

“Are you the chef?” An older woman who is obviously the spokesperson speaks up.

“Yes ma’am, I am. Is everything to your liking?”

“Yes, it is; this meal is fabulous. We will definitely be back again and again for our meetings.”

“Why thank you, ma’am and if you let me know ahead of time that you’re coming, I’ll prepare a special dessert for you.” June Bug said as he glances around the room at the women.

Just as he turns to leave after r e c e i v i n g s e v e r a l m o r e compl iments a young lady catches his eye. She is seated in the middle of the table and has been quiet during the discussions about the food. Her eyes meet his and he nods her way giving her a smile.

“How about you, did you enjoy

We’ve got a huge lunch crowd coming today. The ladies of Reading by Design book club are joining us for lunch along with our regular crowd. And you know the book club alone has about 20 members.”

Mr. Campbell is the owner of a small restaurant called Café Soul Mates that specializes in cuisine indigenous to the people of Gullah Island, South Carolina. His slogan is, “Our food brings people together,” June Bug is one of his cooks. Four hours later, at twelve o’clock on the nose; the book club enters; all 20 of them.

“Good a f t e rnoon , we have reservations for lunch.” The president addresses the hostess.

“Yes, ma’am. We have you right here.” Amelia, the hostess for the day replies with a smile. “Give me just a minute and we will get you ladies seated.” Turning she signals for two servers to help her with the large group. A third heads toward the kitchen to give the crew a heads up.

“Yo Bug,” the server named Matthew starts, “your party is here and man look like all 20 of ‘um done showed up.”

“Don’t stress man, I got this. This is the day I been waitin’ for; time to show Mr. Campbell what I’m made of.”

“I know, right. Do you man and know I got you on this one. I w a n t t o s e e y o u g e t t h a t promotion to second chef.”

An hour later, Mr. Campbell s teps into the k i tchen and approaches June Bug. “Jameel,

Café Soul Mates by Savannah J.

June Bug leaps out of bed; startled by the sound of the alarm suddenly shattering the s i lence and his dreams. He anxiously looks around his bedroom try ing to get h is bearings. It takes a minute but slowly he relaxes remembering he recently moved—not only to his own place— but another state as well. Plopping back onto his bed, he lays back chuckling about his behavior.

“Okay, Bug man get on up from here and get goin’ before you’re late for work.”

Hav ing recent ly moved to Savannah Georgia for a fresh start, June Bug is employed in a restaurant in the historic district of Charleston South Carolina; less than an hours drive from S a v a n n a h . H e w o u l d h a v e preferred a job closer to home b u t b e c a u s e o f y o u t h f u l ind i scre t ions , June Bug i s working for a friend of his mentors until he is able to build credibility.

“Good morning, Mr. Campbell. How are you this fine morning, sir?” June Bug speaks to his employer as he enters the establishment.

“Great, Jameel; how are you?” Mr . Ca mpbe l l r e t urns t he greeting using Bug’s given name.

“Sir, I couldn’t be better. God is so faithful, you know?”

“Yes, I do. Now let’s get busy.

The Village Griot 25

the crab cakes?” he asks before stepping outside the room.

“Yes, I did thanks,” She replies. “’I’ll back as well.”

“Great, be sure to stop by the kitchen and let me know you’re here and I’ll fix you something special.” His hazel green eyes twinkle as he speaks.

“I’ll do that.” She said this time blushing as she looks down o b v i o u s l y b e c o m i n g uncomfortable by the attention.

“Well, you ladies have a great evening and see you when you come again.” Tuning June Bug heads back into the kitchen but as he walks that way he can’t help but feel there is something special about the young lady. He decides he has to know her name.

Stopping he pulls the groups server aside. “Yo Kally, I need a favor. The young lady in the red blouse and jeans; she’s sitting in the middle of the table. Can you find out her name for me?”

Kally frowns, “No I ain’t finding out her name; whats wrong with you? Ask her yourself.”

“You know I can’t do that, Campbell will have my head. Come on, Kally just help me out this one time.”

Kally regards him for a minute, “Why you wanna know?”

“I don’t know . . . because there’s somethin’ about her, just help me out.” And then tilting his head and smiling he adds, “I’ll make you up four crab cakes to take home.”

“Don’t be tryin’ to bribe me,” she responds tapping him playfully and then said, “I’ll see what I can do.”

At four o’clock June Bug is

finished his shift and ready to get

home and relax. His plans also inc lude ca l l ing his mentor Ada l i a h Pre s ton whom he e n d e a r i n g l y c a l l s ‘ P o p ’ . Approaching Kally who is also preparing to leave he hands her a bag.

“So, I guess you didn’t get her name, right? I made you the cakes anyway,” He said handing her the bag.

“Oh, that’s right, the name. I got it; actually, I did you one better,” she sa id reaching into her uni form pocket . “I got her number too.”

June Bug stares at Kally for a few seconds before taking the piece of paper. “Her number? She gave you her number?” He sa id looking down at the paper in disbelief.

“Yup”

“What did you say to her to get her number?”

“I told her the chef asked about her and wanted to know her name.”

“In front of everybody?!” June Bug is still shocked that Kally pulled it off.

“No silly. Bug you act like you ain’t never had a woman’s phone number before. What’s up with that?”

June Bug only smiles, “If you only knew, Kally, if you only knew,” He thinks to himself. “Naw, this ain’t the first time, I’m just surprised you pulled it off,” he said aloud instead.

Once at home that night, June Bug first sheds his uniform and takes a long hot shower. Next he fixes himself something to eat and sits down to watch a movie.

Finally at about nine o’clock he picks up the phone to call his mentor, Pop.

“Hey Pop, how you doin’? How’s Mom and the kids?”

“Hey now Bug, all is well here, how are you?”

“Man, I’m great; God is really blessin’ me man. Today Mr. Campbell gave me the lead on a group of 20 women for lunch. I nailed it pop, you would’a been proud.”

“Bug, I am proud. I’m proud of you for a lot of reasons; namely because you’re staying true to the Lord, just like you said.”

“Pop, just cause I moved away from you and Mom ain’t no reason to worry ‘bout me. I meant what I said, ain’t nothin’ in them streets for me no more. I ain’t turnin’ back; I’m a solider for the Lord now, dawg.”

Adaliah chuckles, “Well, we’re here if you need us or if you get home sick and want to come back home.”

“Thanks Pop . . . I miss you too . . .” and then changing the subject, he adds, “I met somebody today, Pop; I think she’s the one.”

“Bug, if you just met her, son how do you know she’s the one. Don’t you think you need to give it some time before you make an assessment like that?”

“Well, how’d you know Mom was the one; I mean didn’t you tell me you knew when you laid eyes on her?” June bug leans forward in his seat as he speaks as if Adaliah is in the room with him.

“Yeah, I did but that’s different.”

“How’s it different, Pop. Didn’t you tell me the Holy Spirit

26 The Village Griot

pleased to hear from him. “I was just settling in to watch a movie, but I have some time.”

“Great, well first thanks for letting me give you a call. I mean I know you don’t know me and the way I got in touch with you was kinda, well not the way a man should ask a woman for her phone number.”

“I don’t mind, I understand you were busy.”

June Bug smiles. “Well, if you have the time, I’d like to get to know you, maybe take you out to a dinner and a movie some time.”

Now Niomi chuckles, “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather have you make me some of those crab cakes and eat in. That is if you don’t mind cooking on your days off.”

“For you pretty lady, it ain’t nothin’ but a word.” June Bug stretches out on his sofa as a warm feeling comes over him. He clearly feels the tug of the Holy Spirit at his heart confirming what he knew all along; “Yup,” he thinks to himself, “this is the one.”

Two hours later, Niomi and June Bug finish up their call. They agree to meet on the following Sunday afternoon for lunch after church. Bug is too happy to prepare lunch for Niomi. As he closes his eyes he again thanks God for His faithfulness.

“I guess that’s why you sent me to Café Soul Mates, huh? Just like the slogan says, You really know how to br ing people together.”

Smiling he turns over and drifts off to sleep with a grateful heart knowing that God’s promises are true.

© February 2010

would let me know when I meet my future?”

“Okay, yes I did Bug but...”

“But what? Pop when I read the Word, everything you tell me is there. It says in Proverbs 18:22 ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and has obtained favor with God,’ right?”

“Yes, it sure does, I guess I just don’t want you moving too fast, that’s all.”

“I’m good. After all you taught me well and ya’ll still prayin’ for me r i gh t ? ” J un e Bug s a id nodding his head.

“ Y e s w e a r e s o n , w i t h o u t ceasing.”

The two men speak for another 30 minutes with Adaliah’s wife Sable coming on the line for about five minutes. After hanging up the phone, June Bug looks at the clock. The time reads half past nine at night. He picks up the piece of paper with the name of the young lady he spotted in the restaurant earlier.

“Niomi Blevens, huh?” he said with a smile and glancing at the clock again thinks, “What the heck, 9:30 isn’t too terribly late.”

Leaning back onto the sofa, he picks up the phone and dials Niomi’s number, she answers on the third ring.

“Hello?”

“Hi, may I speak with Niomi?” Bug asks now hoping he hasn’t called too late.

“This is Niomi; to whom am I speaking?”

“Niomi, this is Jameel, the chef from Soul Mates; am I calling you too late?”

“No, not at all,” she sounds

About the Author

Savannah J. was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware in an I t a l i a n n e i g h b o r h o o d affectionately referred to as "Little Italy".

The unconditional love and support o f her f ami ly and influence of her environment fostered her love and talents in the Arts. Savannah J. also credits her eldest deceased sister with inspiring her love for the Arts. Subsequently, during her college years, she studied music and literature, which fed her passion for writing.

Her first book, "Toward the Light" is an edgy, contemporary love story with a little dose of Southern charm. This beautifully w r i t t e n s t o r y a b o u t l o v e , redemption, and transformation fo l lows the l i fe o f Adal iah (pronounced Ah-da-lie-ah), who struggles to shed his past and embrace a bright future with Sable, the woman who haunts his dreams.

Visit her on the web: Savannah J. Publications

The Village Griot 27

Please don’t think that I am in anyway implying that my parents taught me a false meaning of Resurrection Sunday because they did not. They were merely doing what they had been taught to do. Satan took that thing and made it a strong hold in my life. And I wanted to make sure that I did the best I could for my son.

We now attend a Non-denominational church where the dress code is a true come as you are. I typically wear a pair of jeans and a nice top or blouse. My son dons a pair of jeans as well. On this Resurrection Sunday we will stand with our arms raised and our mouths filled with praise for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we give thanks to Him and the Father God for the sacrifice made for us. I will feel free and totally unbound by the need to dress up and believe me that is a beautiful thing. Free to give thanks; free to give praise; free to love my Lord totally; completely. Isn’t that the true meaning of Easter anyway? I once was lost but now I’m found; was bound but now I’m free!

Savannah J.

© February 2010

Looking back over my ear ly memories of Easter Sunday, I am

reminded of my Sunday best. You see like most families

back in the day, Easter Sunday meant wearing

o u r n e w s p r i n g out f i t s for the

first time. It was the day that we

wore short sleeves and white patent leather

shoes for the first time after winter.

I remember being dressed in a brand new colorful dress with a crinoline slip and new patent leather shoes with white hose. My brother got a new suit and shoes as well and always a necktie to match. We would walk proudly to church holding our parents hands clutching our bibles; eager to show off our new outfits.

As I grew older I began to question the significance of “The Easter Outfit.” I began to wonder just how it fit into my journey toward wholeness in Christ. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not hatin’ on new clothes for Easter Sunday; I am speaking in reference to my own spiritual journey and how the clothes relate. You see I began to realize that the Easter Outfit had become a stumbling block in my life. It became more important to make sure that I had the perfect outfit that no other woman with-in 100 miles of my dwelling place had. It had to be fabulous because I wanted to look as good as the next woman in church.

Next I had to make sure that my hair and nails was “did” just so, as well. Do you see where I’m going with this? It was more important for my “outer wo-man” to look good then my heart be prepared to receive what ‘thus saith The Lord.’

When I became a mother; friends, co-workers and family would ask what I was getting my son for Easter and I would politely reply, “I don’t do Easter outfits for my son.” They would look at me as if I were insane but eventually got the message. We went to church on Easter Sunday in our clothes that were not so new, but our hearts were in the right place. I wanted to teach my son the true meaning of Easter or Resurrection Sunday instead of making him feel as if he were competing in a fashion show.

28 The Village Griot

Listening to the music, whether his own poetic lyrics or those of a collaboration with others,

reading his book Moonwalk or recommended books about him, and watching the videos

(short films) of his best years to include select media interviews, I have gained an even

greater respect for Michael Jackson the man. There is (was) a special humble spirit living in

inside this human being that spent all but eight years of his life entertaining the masses.

Perhaps those who felt his aura while being in his presence understood what God had given

us. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, one of the two editors of Moonwalk wrote in the forward,

“To many people Michael Jackson seems an elusive personality, but to those who work

with him, he is not. This talented artist is a sensitive man, warm, funny, and full of insight.” In a commercial for the debut of the final CD / DVD This Is It one entertainer said,

“When I met Michael Jackson for the first time I felt as though I was looking at an angel.”

Michael himself once said, “When I look into the eyes of a child I see the face of God.” This

article shares my own thoughts about this magnificent, yet misunderstood man as I

celebrate the life while still morning the loss.

Sharon Moore Stenhouse

The Village Griot 29

J une 25th marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Michael Joseph Jackson. For many years to come, on this date fans will mourn however, celebrate his life on August 29. Recently, there

was a celebration of sorts with the remaking of We Are the World marking the 25th anniversary of the original, co-written and co-produced by Michael in the spirit of activism to aid USA for Africa in 1985.

The newly formed not-for-profit We Are the World Foundation, founded by Quincy Jones and Lionel Ritchie, with the help of Wyclef Jean and others, is dedicated to carry on the vision of the original focusing on relief and redevelopment in response to the devastating earthquake and continuing crisis in Haiti.

The new version and the accompanying video has received mixed reviews from some members of the music industry and the public at large. I recently awoke to the sounds of the Tom Joyner Morning Show to discover a heated debate about the remake, We Are the World 25 for Haiti. Listeners texting remarks to the show preferred the original to the new version. They discussed their dislike of the musical styles and the inability to distinguish the voices of various artists. The ‘Artists for Haiti’ all of whom donated their time and talent, are listed on the foundation website. Tom Joyner on the other hand disagrees with the listeners and thinks the new version is likeable enough to continue air play.

If Michael were alive today I am sure he would be very proud of the effort and he would be completely miffed at the thought of any negativity. He would simply say that people shouldn’t prejudge. Disagree with L-O-V-E.

We know that ones sensual perception of any art form is subjective, and we all have a right to our opinions. It is however, a fact that we tend to prejudge many aspects of life before we stop, listen, observe and think.

Since June 25, 2009, a date I shall never forget, I have listened to Michael’s music daily and watched every video and short film I can get my hands on. I have read everything written about him since his death, including news articles, blogs and even tabloid websites, trying always to read the written online comments; most filled with love and respect, while others are full of disdain and innuendos. One thing has become very clear to me...to love him, and his music you must understand him, his genius. To understand him you must release any prejudices embedded in your heart, which is where prejudging resides. Prejudice does not live in the brain; it lives in the heart.

Throughout his life and after his death there have been people whose base perception is prejudgment. It did not matter whether they enjoyed his artistic talents or the inroads he made in society, opening doors previously closed by simple prejudice, there was always an underlying reason for voicing opinions about him. Perceptions based on curiosity, misled truths, and multiple applications of the seven deadly sins fed the voracious appetites of many.

Understanding him is something he made very easy for us to do; read his lyrics and the person emerges. Whether he is telling us of childhood, unrequited love, his treatment by society, or the blessings he found through fatherhood, his written words give us a glimpse inside his loving heart...and that is where God looks also. Listen carefully to the harmonies and notice how they connect, they crescendo precisely where they need to project his message.

This brings me back to the title of this essay, ‘Prejudice is Ignorance.’ The phrase fills the bottom of the final scene in the much-criticized short film (video) Black or White, which debuted on November 14, 1991 as a simultaneous television broadcast in 27 countries around the world.

There was a lot of controversy over the imaging in this video. I am not referring to the technologically amazing morphing of faces from various races, the dancing with different cultures or the image of Michael standing on the forbidden torch of the Statue of Liberty while bursting through fire. I am not even talking about the statement made standing in the midst of a diverse group of children proclaiming, “I’m not going to spend my life being a color.” Nor the verse, “I am tired of this devil, I am tired of this stuff, I am tired of this business seen when the going gets rough. I ain’t scared of your brother, I ain’t scared of no sheets, I ain’t scared of nobody girl, when the going gets mean.”

Fox Broadcasting, in a statement after the debut, regretted approving the entire content of the video and apologized to its viewers. Numerous news media from the U.S. to the USSR, from South America to Australia, England to Spain reported that Michael Jackson had lost his mind, or as one journalist so emphatically stated, “It was Michael’s childlike, playfulness that got him into this problem, it’s his childlike openness that will solve it.” The irony here is that in ’91 people wanted to remember the cute, fat-cheeked child with the perfect afro who led the Jackson 5. They forgot that the child grew up to become a man. One might reason the uproar focused on the second half of the film, which begins with a black panther. Perhaps many were not ready to see their own attitudes or dispositions addressed by Michael Jackson. (continued on next page)

The following is from Prejudice is Ignorance, Amani na Mapenzi: Love & Peace Volume Two–The Poetry and Essays of a’Kihoro.

30 The Village Griot

As I have watched Black or White repeatedly, my conclusion is that Michael knew exactly what he wanted to express, and there is nothing childish about the message. Let me dissect the questionable sequence and the symbolism from the point of view of a Christian.

The panther represents The Black Panther Party, which articulated fundamental wants and needs, and called for a redress of the long-standing grievances, of the black masses in America, still alienated from society and oppressed despite the abolition of slavery at the end of the Civil War. In the opening scene, the panther morphs into Michael Jackson.

Michael assertively flicking back his shirttail as howling wind gusts blow leaves and paper down the street through rumbling background sounds and panther growls is a call for change, cleaning up the mess.

The stance in his dance –particularly the pelvic thrusts and grinding crotch grabs, the snapped zipping of his pants fly, the sensuality of his movements as he makes his body talk, openly exhibit his passion and compassion for what he believes; what he feels. I am a man who is serious and ready for battle.

The smashing of the car windows parked at the curb, perhaps abandoned, and painted with the epithets:

Hitler Lives

Swastika

Nigger Go Home

No More Wet Backs

The store window painted with ‘KKK Rules’ that he smashes with the car steering wheel, or the window he breaks with a garbage can full of trash, and the neon sign from the era of segregation crashing to the ground. He is angry at societal ills as he screams in agony.

The ripping of his shirt...demonstrates a reflection of the most striking Jewish expression of grief in the rending of garments by a mourner. The Bible records many instances of rending the clothes. When Jacob saw Joseph's coat of many colors drenched with what he thought to be his son's blood, he rent his garments. Likewise, David tore his clothes when he heard of the death of King Saul. This symbolic rending is Michael’s form of psychological release.

Genesis 37:34-35 - “And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning....” Read the entire story of the coat of many colors in Genesis 37.

2 Samuel 1:11-12 - “Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.”

At the end of the short film Black or White, Michael returns to the state of being the panther, growling one last time to signify that his work must go on. It is next that we see Michael, in his signature black fedora, slowly raise his head and stare straight into the camera with the words prejudice is ignorance boldly displayed across the bottom of the screen.

Another very symbolic video Will You Be There is actually a series of clips from his Dangerous tour. Here Michael is speaking to God, not just for himself, for all of humanity. He uses the melding of cultures seeking one god, a globe, an open Bible, he himself lifted with arms stretched out as on an imagined cross –then marking the sign of the cross on his own chest, supplication for his confessions, and an angel coming down from heaven to wrap him in her loving wings. The opening lines of the lyrics are:

“Hold me like the river Jordan and I will then say to thee you are my friend. Carry me like you are my brother, love me like a mother, will you be there? When weary tell me, will you hold me, when wrong will you mold me, when lost will you find me? But they told me a man should be faithful, and walk when not able, and fight till the end, but I’m only human.”

Never once rebuking his own blackness, Michael threw off his shyness when it came to sharing his religious beliefs. His deeply embedded faith and belief in God –which differs somewhat from his strict upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, is apparent in much of his work. He told us we are the world asking us in numerous ways to heal the world and save it for the children, heal the earth, and most of all heal ourselves by looking at who we are and making a change. “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” His message could not have been any clearer.

Even with his positive messages of healing, there were many who refused to see the good in him, preferring to reflect upon negative images birthed by the sin of narrow-mindedness. There were and still those who view him through the mote in their own eyes.

Matthew 7:2-4 - “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in

The Village Griot 31

thine own eye?”

Michael’s life was different from anyone on the planet. One of my favorite quotes of his, and there are many, is the old Indian proverb...

“Do not judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.”

God, in his infinite wisdom, purposed this man’s life to be different. Michael’s difficulties, his trials and tribulations reflect the consequences of willful man –not always or necessarily by Michael’s own hand, but often proffered by those who viewed him through their own ignorance. There were many who needed his light to shine upon their own selves because or in spite of his celebrity, not because they understood or cared about the man.

Some of the very people Michael reached out to in sincerity through his talent, his humanity, and his generosity took him to hell and back; yet he continued to persevere. He painfully turned the other cheek and kept trying to be the vessel of good God planted on this earth, until those who prejudged him –to the point of vilifying him, finally knocked the wind out of his sails.

He quietly gave large sums of money to more than 39 charities around the world –most in the United States, to include, numerous children’s causes, African-American causes (NAACP, United Negro College Fund, Congressional Black Caucus, National Rainbow Coalition), as well as the American Cancer Society, Make a Wish Foundation, and many others.

While recovering as a patient himself in a burn unit, he held the hand of a critically burned patient in his rhinestone gloved hand to offer him peace; then gave the 1.5 million dollar settlement from his own case to the facility. He paid entire medical bills for sick children and gave enormously to orphanages in third world countries.

In 2001, he stood before scholars at Oxford University in England and gave an eloquent speech on healing the children, afterwards receiving a rousing ovation from those worthy scholars.

Michael was a bright ray of hope to the world where some people –even after his death, insist on taking whatever they can from him, for reasons we will never know. He tried as hard as he could, and through it all succeeded in giving us a little taste of the Kingdom of Heaven, and he did it in real-time.

Amani na Mapenzi: Love & Peace Volume Two –The Poetry and Essays of a’Kihoro is the third book of author, poet, and publisher Sharon Moore Stenhouse.

The Spiritual Creations team is participating again this year in the Komen Maryland Race for the Cure.

Race Date:

Sunday, October 3, 2010, Hunt Valley, Maryland

Team Fundraising Goal: $2500

To Support the Cause You Can...

Donate as much as you like

Walk with the team or sign up for the run

Support the team & make your donation as a “stay in bed” team member.

Participate in the Power of 10 by asking friends, family, spouses and co‐workers to support the Spiritual Creations team.

Visit the Team Website

Komen Affiliate Races are scheduled in cities across the U.S. where you may prefer to join or support. Locate a team in your state.

Things Writers Should Know Solution

The Vi l lage Griot eZ i ne Publisher: a’Kihoro SPIRITUAL CREATIONS

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

www.akihoro.com

www.thevillagegriot.com

About the Publication: The Village Griot is an electronic magazine, published quarterly, giving new and seasoned authors (published and unpublished) poets, essayists, bloggers, storytellers, artists and entertainers a platform to test their writing, share ideas, skills, techniques and technologies while enhancing both talent and work. Spiritually, we seek to uplift and edify through love, peace and respect for the community. Guidelines for contributing writers and submission deadlines are provided online via the web site or via sms@akihoro.com