Tag Archives: short essay

FENCES: Art Without Borders–Wilson the Universalist

FENCES: Art Without Borders–Wilson the Universalist The Lower Bottom Playaz, the oldest North American African theater troupe in Oakland CA is presenting FENCES as a part of its commitment to August Wilson’s Century Cycle.  FENCES is perhaps the most familiar … Continue reading

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The Importance of August Wilson to American Theater

August Wilson is a playwright. In my opinion he is the most important American playwright of the 20th century.  His work the Century Cycle is the most expansive chronicle of American life in  the history of American theater. His tale of America … Continue reading

Posted in Black Arts, Craft, I'm Just Saying!, Life., non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Tales of Iron and Water, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Media and the Management of Reality

Marvin X says the news ain’t the news it ain’t nothing but the blues and I agree. You might as well listen to Damien Marley, Koran Streets, or WolfHawkJaguar, if you want the news, they will tell you what’s alive … Continue reading

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King Tides and NewTown: Harbingers of the Time

Today there were King Tides in the Bay Area. I wonder about tides pulled by the moon and what makes anomalies. I wonder. I stay in conversation with the universe. There are explanations for most anomalies. As humans we often … Continue reading

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Blessing are Due: A Thanksgiving Reflection

I have learned to appreciate the ease of that time with my mother. She taught me to cook

without ever writing down a recipe. I still measure my prowess in the kitchen by my mother’s.

We talked about things we never talked about at any other time. Continue reading

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Diary of a Mad Creative # 19: Precious and the State of the Arts (pt. 2 of The Ground on which I stand.)

“If you do not know, I will tell you that black theatre in America is alive … it is vibrant … it is vital … it just isn’t funded. Black theatre doesn’t share in the economics that would allow it to support its artists and supply them with meaningful avenues to develop their talent and broadcast and disseminate ideas crucial to its growth. The economics are reserved as privilege to the overwhelming abundance of institutions that preserve, promote and perpetuate white culture.

That is not a complaint. That is an advertisement. Since the funding sources, both public and private, do not publicly carry avowed missions of exclusion and segregated support, this is obviously either a glaring case of oversight, or we the proponents of black theatre have not made our presence or needs known.” August Wilson Continue reading

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The Great American Divide

Divide: to cleave asunder.

We are united most by our acceptance of division. Continue reading

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A pocket full of Cowrie

Sometimes you see yourself and it’s like you have been missing yourself. You are surprised by the reflection in the mirror.We spend so much time chasing goals. We reach one and barely stop to savor its sweetness before we begin … Continue reading

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