I think the author just gave away more that she intended to.
Posted on 02/23/2006 12:04:12 PM PST by subterfuge
She's not afraid to offend -- "The right wing has taken over the Bible" -- yet she handles her students with kid gloves. Building them up, not tearing them down.
"To be a writer, you have to be on the edge. Rules are meant to be broken," she tells 13 students seated around her on a small stage at Rollins College last week.
I find beauty in Nikki Giovanni. Her short-cropped hair. Her Bohemian style of dress. Reading glasses on a beaded chain around her neck. The "thug life" tattoo on her left forearm, a tribute to deceased rapper Tupac Shakur.
...
On America: "This whole country is a freakin' sideshow."
On President Bush. "I agree with Kanye West. He [Bush] has no love for black people."
On New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina: "The Lower Ninth Ward is really what developers call cleared land. The intention is to take these people's land. They have been deliberately scattered."
On herself: "This is just me, Nikki. I'm not being cynical, too much."
With 22 honorary doctorates, more than 20 published books for adults and children, and more than three decades' worth of poetry, Giovanni already has left an enduring mark on our times. ... As I watch Giovanni with the young poets, I wonder if they realize how blessed they are to receive such sage advice and encouragement from one of our national treasures.
Her voice still is needed -- now more than ever.
Giovanni is a natural woman doing what she does naturally.
She is a revolution.
Tammy L. Carter can be reached at tcarter@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5223.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Had to write in to say, this column is the type of worthless pap that keeps me from subscribing to the OS.
Typical leftist mantra, parroting stupid ideas, to kids no less, about rules that "are meant to be broken." This seems to be a perfect vehicle for you to talk about the fav liberal talking points , of course with no balance or opposing view. You and the OS in general love taking the opportunity to quote people who hate America "this whole country is a freakin' sideshow", lamented the poet.
You choose to glorify this woman as a woman of integrity and think its marvelous she has a tattoo of that pillar of society Tupak Shakur--a known criminal. You undoubtedly agree with her and Kanye West that George Bush has "no love for black people." No facts, no examples, but you have to let "the poet" be herself. Just Nikki, who claims she's "not being cynical." What a laugh.
Giovanni, you Tammy, and the Orlando Sentinel are whats really wrong with America. You're right about one thing though, "her voice still is needed---now more than ever", so that all of America can see the hatred pooring out from liberal whiners of the day.
Great letter, btw.
Could not have said it better myself. Props to you.
I think the author just gave away more that she intended to.
Thanks CrawDaddy. The author, Tammy, replied: "thanks for the comments and have a nice day."
I think I'll reply to her and say "and a Happy Thug Life to you to!"
Hope the eye transplant comes through soon.
Giovanni is just another "liberal" and there is absolutely nothing revolutionary about being a liberal in a writing course. And that "right wing has taken over the Bible" or whatever? Wow, that's some revolutionary thinking, haven't heard or read that in three, maybe four minutes. Give me a break!
Another irrelevant nobody.
"to you TOO."
"On America: "This whole country is a freakin' sideshow."
Exhibit A = Nikki Giovanni
From Gudger College, Ernie's Academy of Baitcasting, and the place you go when you send in that matchbook that instructs you to "Draw Blinky" ...
more than 20 published books for adults and children,
Not a single one of which has sold more than a hundred copies, and those were to people who needed to hold a door open
and more than three decades' worth of poetry,
Half of which is scrawled on sh!thouse walls, the other half of which should be ...
Yes, it was a great letter. Next time make sure you send a copy to the powers that be at OS, as well.
Haaaaaaa!
Great points!
Puh-leeze. Nikki Giovanni is so last millenium. And trite to boot. Maybe Bush just doesn't like pretentiously bad poetry.
This nation, the USA, has had it with thugs ever since September 11, 2001. We don't believe you.
No, you have to write well.
I did copy the editor of the paper and I included my name and where I live--just in case they want to publish it. Not holding my breath though.
Well, poets can get away with a lot if they write good poetry. Byron was a moral abomination, who betrayed his friends and committed incest, but he wrote some great poetry.
As a poet, Nikki Giovanni can't even tie her own shoelaces. Her stuff is pure, unadulterated junk. All of it.
So what is so special about this woman? She is outspoken and wrong but I know many people who fit that category. How does one manage to get 22 honorary doctorates?
Her plaid flannel. Her Bierkenstocks...
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