Archive for the ‘quotables’ Category

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Recalling History, Reframing Haiti

January 21, 2010

I spotted this quote on the Web. I found it interesting that Mr. Wendell, a well-off Harvard man of the 1800s would say this about Haiti. It seems so ultra, ultra-progressive. Nonetheless, here’s my attempt at changing the conversation. God if you’re listening, how about a moratorium on natural disasters for us (meaning black people, or any people) for a little while. Many of us are still grieving Katrina…

“Some doubt the courage of the Negro.Go to Haiti and stand on those fifty thousand graves of the best soldiers France ever had, and ask them what they think of the Negro’s sword.”

-Phillips Wendell
Address on Toussaint L’Ouverture, referring to theWar of Haitian Independence, 1804.

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Rita Dove Quotable

December 11, 2009

I love this woman, this poet. I have ever since I remember reading her poetry in high school. Imagine my amazement when I discovered she was a black woman!

“Have you ever heard a good joke? If you’ve ever heard someone just right, with the right pacing, then you’re already on the way to poetry. It’s about using words in very precise ways and using gesture.”

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Etheridge Knight quote

December 7, 2009

 

 

”Black Poets should live—not leap from steel bridges, like the white boys do.”

 Source: poem hunter.com

1933-1991

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Kay Ryan Quotable

October 29, 2009

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I live walking distance from the Library of Congress where Poet Laureate, Kay Ryan, did a reading a week or so ago. In any case, I so enjoyed Ms. Ryan’s interview with The Paris Review. In fact, I thought I’d share a quote.

“It seems like many people think that if you drive yourself crazy, then you can write. I wanted to see what a fortunate life would produce. What writing would come out of this mind that didn’t try to torment itself?”     –Kay Ryan, The Art of Poetry, Winter 2008, The Paris Review

How many of us buy into the idea that artists must be dysfunctional and tormented?

 

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Amiri Baraka Quotable

October 22, 2009

amiri-baraka

AA: How did you develop your voice (both literary and politically?) So many younger poets copy you (understandably so). Do you have any advice on how we younger poets can develop our own voice and style as you have?

AB: Dont worry about form, except as a verb. Come from yr feelings! Let form be live and your voice will settle it.
But you shd try to know what is the state of the art (most advanced) in all genres…from  poetry or singing to film making to boxing, &c  AB 10/20/09
 
AmiriBarakaBooks.com

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