Taalam Acey Until 6am or Whenever You Leave

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2011-05-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

2010-11-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

May this message find you well. While I was away, I learned about a few new videos of me floating around on the web. Now that I'm back home, I figured I would share them with you in hopes that they'll add to your enjoyment. The first four are from a show I did earlier this year in Ft. Wayne, Indiana the last is from Fly Poet in LA, the largest monthly poetry event in the country. You can watch each video by clicking on it. In other news, the last time I was in Los Angeles (10/23/10) a group of Graffiti artists lead by Caprice Myles painted a mural of me in Watts. I've included a picture of the painting below so you can check it out. If you want to see a larger version of it, just click on the picture (or go to WLCAC and see it yourself at 10950 Central Ave in Watts. lol!).

"THRU A WEDDING RING"

"MARKET 4 NI$$AS (CENSORED)"

"EVERY MAN IN HERE"

"5 WOMEN"

"PERFORMING POEMS FROM B.O.S.S. SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 IN LOS ANGELES"

The last time I was in Los Angeles (10/23/10) a group of Graffiti artists lead by Caprice Myles painted a mural of me in Watts.

Also, please don't forget the newest project B.O.S.S. The Birth of Spoken Soul is out and spellbinding listeners while getting wonderful reviews from those who've supported it. Order your signed copy today at www.taalamacey.tv

thank you for everything!

-taalam

What I'll be doing at the largest poetry event in North America

2010-10-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, in an earlier message, I'm honored to be included in the largest poetry event in North America this coming weekend. Hopefully, this message will serve to provide you with more information about the festival and what my involvement will be. Since 1986, there have been twelve biennial Dodge Poetry Festivals, which now routinely attract audiences of 17,000 to 20,000. The Festival is the largest poetry event in North America. The Dodge Poetry Festival has involved over 500 Festival Poets, including Nobel Laureates, individual state and U.S. Poets Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winners. The Festival also provided the substance for 25 hours of national PBS television programming seen by more than 50 million people, including more than 20 hours with Bill Moyers and two Emmy-winning programs.

The following is what I’m scheduled to do at The Dodge Poetry Festival this coming weekend. All of my events occur early, Sunday, October 10th. Any of this may be subject to change, so please check www.dodgepoetry.org or the festival program for changes.

Conversation: Where Poetry Matters

Time: 9:00-10:10 AM

Location: Aljira

No one who has ever attended, performed in, produced or organized any one of the open mics, poetry jams or slams that have sprung up in community centers, church basements, libraries, bookstores, college or high school campuses, theaters, performance spaces, cafes or coffee shops in our urban centers would ever ask, “Does poetry matter?” How crucial, even life saving this avenue for self-expression and self-discovery is for so many of our urban youth is immediately, powerfully obvious at these events. Taalam Acey, Marjorie Barnes, Kyle Dargan and Juba Dowdell - four young poets straight out of Newark’s own poetry renaissance - will talk candidly about the place of importance poetry took on in their lives, and why it continues to matter to them and to the young people of Newark and our many urban centers.

Conversation: From Homer to Hip Hop

Time: 10:30-11:40 AM

Location: Chase Room

Homer’s Iliad is filled with horrific scenes of hand-to-hand combat described in gory detail. The women in his Odyssey – including Helen, Circe, Calypso and the Sirens are destructive, bewitching, jealous, vengeful and often quite dangerous to men and their humanity. It could be argued that the same charges made against rap and hip-hop – that they are violent and misogynistic – could be leveled against these two masterpieces of Western Literature. All the great epics from all cultures are filled with violence, as were the popular ballads of the Elizabethan and Romantic eras. It has been a central aspect of our oral tradition. Is it merely the distance of centuries that makes Homer’s violence tolerable to us? William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is hard to get the news from poems.” Could it be that some of us don’t want to hear the news in rap and hip-hop? What might connect the oral tradition’s long history of telling the news of its time and the emergence of rap and hip-hop in our times? (with Majorie Barnes, Marie Ponsot, and Michael Cirelli)

Festival Poetry Reading

Time: 12:00-1:00 PM

Location: CAE Auditorium

A one hour poetry reading shared between Taalam Acey, Matthew Dickman and Claudia Rankine. Each of us will read for fifteen to eighteen minutes.

My newest project B.O.S.S. The Birth of Spoken Soul will be available at the festival. If you aren't able to make it there, order your signed copy today at www.taalamacey.tv

thank you for everything!

-taalam

here's something provocative you'll serioulsy want to discuss with someone

2010-09-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here's "Sex On The Table" a no holds barred piece from "The Birth of Spoken Soul" about male/female relationships. I'm seriously wondering what my friends will think of this. Just remember it's heartfelt sincerity. I'll bet you'll be discussing this one with friends for many days to come.

Find more on the CD click here to order yours today at

www.taalamacey.tv

thank you!

-taalam

Welcome to The Birth of Spoken Soul

2010-08-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

My work has been the beneficiary of a great deal of love over the years and I owe it to you to bring you nothing but inspired projects. A year ago, I stumbled upon a Wikipedia entry for “Spoken Word Soul.” It was primarily defined as an eclectic blend of Poetry and Jazz Funk. This intrigued me because that’s what I see this art form evolving into; earthy enough for poetry venues but also sophisticated enough for supper clubs. My name was listed in the article as one of the proponents of this nascent genre. Maybe I have helped, but honestly I took the mention as more of a call to action; a challenge of sorts.

“The Birth of Spoken Soul,” is a brand new project spurred by that challenge. It features my most current acapella work like “Worshipped,” “Permission to Speak,” and “Sex on the Table” (which, by the way, is not an erotic poem. lol!) and several more pieces all recorded in front of live audiences. Beyond that, “The Birth of Spoken Soul” features a few poems with my best fitting musical accompaniment to date. The CD transports you to an upscale jazz poetry venue to be immersed in what transpires. The poems and ambiance will take you to a venue thick with soulful atmosphere plus a vivid description of the club is interwoven into poems such as “Priestess” and “Soul Food Kitchen.” “The Birth of Spoken Soul” is a transcendent work and a major part of the new underground.

Pre-order your copy today at www.taalamacey.tv and be one of the first to play a part in this movement and to share in the Birth of Spoken Soul!

A time lapse painting using (and influenced by) my work

2010-08-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

University of Washington, Tacoma 2/3/10

2010-02-09T01:53:00.000-08:00

Animated Tour Schedule

2010-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

http://taalamacey.blogspot.com/2010/01/animated-tour-schedule.html

http://taalamacey.blogspot.com/2010/01/animated-tour-schedule.html

download "Pride" for FREE from the new CD

2009-12-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

You can now download "Pride," one of the tracks from "The Market 4 Change Volume 2" for FREE by clicking here or going to http://www.taalamacey.tv/free. Please enjoy "Pride" as a token of thanks for supporting my art. Best to you and yours. Always.

-taalam
www.twitter.com/taalamacey

Even sooner than I expected

2009-12-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

I planned to release both discs of the Market 4 Change Volume 2 by mid-December. However, they are ALREADY complete. (2 wks early!) If you've ordered it, your order has already been signed & shipped! Folks will begin to receive them as early as today. If you have yet to order, support art you believe in and invest in your copies today. Order one (or get a special deal on both) visit: http://www.taalamacey.tv/soul

Why settle for being entertained when you can also be moved? I invite you to share in my strongest and most extensive project, ever.

Support and invest in art that moves you.
Pre-Order The Market 4 Change Volume Two

thank you. always.

Greatness Magazine Interview

2009-11-10T10:25:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRxK5aw1EVI

to read the article as well, click here or copy/paste: http://www.burrowsink.com/magazine.html

Shot by Karama Sadaka on 10/5/09

2009-10-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

Reader Praise for Excellent Exposure in September

2009-10-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

these readers were looking 4 excellence & found FAR more

2009-09-05T16:18:00.000-07:00

readers were looking 4 excellence & found FAR more. The
first quote's from my, always BRUTALLY frank, mother

Order a copy of Excellent Exposure for yourself (and/or a loved one) today at www.taalamacey.tv/store

Excellent Exposure: Reader's thoughts & Reviews

2009-08-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

As Benjamin Disraeli said, "The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own." Excellent Exposure was written to share the treasures I've learned and mistakes I've made with those who follow my work. It was released on 8/13/09. These are some of the responses I've received since then:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: JZ
Date: 8/15/09
State: Texas

Finished the book around 5:00p...it's been a long time since I sat and read a book cover to cover, and although I can't quite explain why, I feel the need to thank you for that...

thank you for that.

I found it to be open, honest, and thought-provoking. Someday I'll share with you the most provoking thought of all, but not today...

I feel as though I have been exposed to the soul of Taalam Acey, a soul that does, indeed, stand tall...taller than most...and it was, indeed, Excellent Exposure.

blessings, T, as always...
j
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: YH
Date: 8/15/09
State: New Jersey

Sorry once again for missing WestOrange show. Had to work,job situation is hectic. I just got in and the book is here.Needless 2say I jumped on in. It is a much needed word 4me at this time in my life .I have been very anxious to receive it especially with the past couple of weeks being kind of hectic 4me...I'm alright now.My copy of TSR is still packed. It usually keeps me inspired and hopeful. Been a little lost in certain situations without my daily dose of inspiration. Thank you!T ruly! This book is on time 4me. I'm gonna get back 2reading it in a few minutes. I'm surely feeling the need to be brave and be bold. I hold the key 2my happiness. Thank you for doin all that you do for all of your fans and friends. I especially thank you for having a special place in your heart for me. You have always been a good person and a good friend to me. You've helped me to see and know who I am and what I am capable of. I will always need you to keep doin what you're doin, you help keep me goin.Thank you and I love you brother.Peace and blessings always

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: LR
Date: 8/16/09
State: Arizona

Taalam,

First things first....only for my small ego....Thank you for personally signing this book and for your attention to detail!! I will treasure your words to me more than the book itself...for this book stands alone for anyone to see its excellent exposure. HA! (good one)
As for what I think....I know it doesn't quite matter to you.
I am simple. I connected with you ---on your quote of Miles Davis!! I have that written down in my book of poems...and it has given me the strength to share my words. I had to stop and breathe...I love that statement! And I love you...for being you. Thanks.

Reading your book allowed me to take a look
of a new reality
that I want to face me
of a woman I want to be
I love your security
of where you want to be
and that is not my stamp
of originality
thoughts of nationality
a sense of pride
this woman has
for this brown skin
representing a Mexican/Puerto Rican
with the voices of past women in my head
of their words not being said...
a race of people thrown under the bed
thoughts of many
made to be married
16 kids some carried
and some to have to bury
with no voice-no choice
Language barrier
surviving unimaginable terror
just to be mommy
for eternity
that is not me
growing up simply
beans and rice
fed just nice
with lots of spice ;)
greatful for being alive
but not taught to have pride
for this skin
which loves thick or thin
and has to begin
to WRITE~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: EH
Date: 8/16/09
State: Florida

Excellent Exposure is an outstanding read. I am only half-way thru and already want to re-read the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: TH
Date: 8/17/09
State: New York

Once again you have "xcellently xposed" us to an entertaining thought provoking informative page turner!!! "I read it in 2 days". I love the fact that you use words i had to look up in the dictionary to get the definition for...lol. As did "eyes free" it inspired me to keep productively being me since that's all I can Be! Your honesty is very attractive...Ur spirituality is contagious. I'm honored 2 know U!

Thanks Acey, Luv Ya!

p.s. oh...the poem "thru a wedding ring" i actually got one of my bikini's to see if it could fit through my rings...YEP, I DID...I was laughing at myself! And it did, i had to tug a bit but it got through....it was symbol to me that someone will put one on my finger one day and it will be mutual true love! i'm cracking myself up! SMH.

(*email #2*)
No but i really had to tug and pull, cauz im voluptuous...I was like oh hell no U going threw this ring....LOL. U would have been cracking up if you saw me...whew
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: BK
Date: 8/18/09
State: Washington DC

Good morning Taalam,

Last night I started reading Excellent Exposure and much like Troubled Refinery, I couldn't put it down!

I am without a doubt thoroughly enjoying this book! It is very different from any poetry book I have ever read, in fact, it is an injustice to refer to it as a "poetry book" because in addition to the poems there are stories about your experiences in life and in your travels.

I read up to page 55: "How do you feel about Gay poetry?"

Ok. I am about to dive in pretty soon.

Have a great day!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: BB
Date: 8/18/09
State: California

Greetings, when i read the press broke down it disappointed me but now i see that it was worth the wait. From the time I opened the envelope I've experienced a range of emotions laughing and smiling, finding my sensuous self there on the page, u...nderstanding the situation, relating, tasting touching, and feeling your soul. I just put it down and found my cheeks wet with sweet tasting tears. Thanks for personalizing my copy, made me feel special. You are walking in the light. Keep doing you. It's an honor and a pleasure

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: LC
Date: 8/18/09
State: Ohio

Taalam!!!!! Just got my copy yesterday and can't seen to put it down. Was reading before I went to bed, and as soon as I woke up back to reading it (after the coffee was brewing of course). Thank you for sharing your life with us.

It's been a long time since a book has captured my attention and kept it for long periods... Thank you again Taalam for signing my book... back to reading I go, will finish this before the day ends, and I just got it yesterday!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: YH
Date: 8/18/09
State: New Jersey
(*2nd message*)

Whats up Acey you've done it again.I'm a little more than halfway thru the book.Selfishly I'm gonna ask "When is the next book"?lol I have been LMAO.This book gives me your eyes.The only reason that I haven't finished the book is because I must savor and absorb these words.It takes plenty courage to be Taalam Acey.Your realness is uncompromising yet non-judgemental.I truly have a better understanding and you have filled in the blanks for me.Over the years I had sometimes wondered "how is TaalamAcey?"I knew whatever it was you were doing,you were successful.WOW I never would have thought A KING/ A MASTER/ PREMIER SPOKEN ARTIST in the WORLD! And I say to myself wow...what are the odds that Taalam would be introduced into your life at two different growth periods and I realize the need 4 it to be that way.Must stay connected.You have done what most would not have the courage to do.You have traveled the world to promote/uplift the art of spoken word.You have a selection of books and cds that are soon to be very expensive if not priceless and unattainable.You inspire many across the globe,you've helped spawn a new generation of poets and spoken word artists and a whole list of other accomplishments.And now this expose' that walks the reader through your life and keeps us wanting more.EE is an excellent read and I'm still reading still inspired. I thank you once again 4 going the lengths you go to inspire us all.peace and blessings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: RR
Date: 8/19/09
State: Connecticut

well, i read the book and listened to the cd, then i gave the cd to my friend jeff and i let my sister borrow the book...
it's too good to keep in a bookshelf
i want to get that book back dog-eared and read 20 times
then i'll put it in the bookshelf, right next to my bukowski's...

so i'm sendin ya a bar or two of the soap i make-
it's called ZOP, rhymes with soap
i don't call it that for any reason, there's no weird history to it
i heard a little kid, a child, he must have had an impediment
this kid loves my soap; calls it ZOP! ZOP!, so i call it ZOP too...
just trademarked it last month...

anyway, the part in the book about having a gift
bein' afraid to share it....it's true, i know what you are saying
i had a near death life experience 3 weeks ago...
EVERYTHING changed after that...

now, if i have a thought, an idea, a compliment...anything positive
i act on it, speak on it, let it out, yknow...
anyway...i'm not lookin fer a 'plug' ok...

i'm just sendin ya a bar of soap

write another book!!

thanks again from the land of cows n corn...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: ND
Date: 8/20/09
State: New Jersey

Peace. I find you/your book to be remarkably balanced, enlightened and real. It is evident that your life circumstances have not made you, but rather they served to reveal you to yourself, and through your gift of introspection and articulation, revealing your soul to us, has in turn, and perhaps most importantly, dared us to examine our own thoughts, judgments and motivations. Thank you for having the courage to be used as a vessel for transformation. Readers who seek their own inner light will come to appreciate you/your work serving as a guidepost along the way. Well done. May you find peace on your journey. Namaste. I have much love and respect for you. A Luta Continua.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: KR
Date: 8/20/09
State: New York

I wasn't sure I was going to read our book yet. I am working crazy hours, getting ready for a new semester. I wanted to read it straight through, but only made it to page 65 last night. I hope I get to read more tonight.
But I have to tell you that it's authentic and beautiful and open and raw and thought provoking, slightly meditative, and I think it's pulled at my heart strings and at times, I thought that we share the same mind or soul, and I'll let you know more, as I read it....but I have had dreams last night and my awakenings today to reflect about what you wrote and I'm just glad you wrote it. Thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: KW
Date: 8/23/09
State: New York

@ tolerance on p61...almost fell out of my bed laughing!!...

@ p61... fighting for the privledge/curse to wear ur shoes...LMAO

@ p71... BLOOD BOILING...same thing happened 2 me @ Kiss

@ p74...adapting..

@ p75... last paragraph...

i am astounded. i feel like im reading the male version of my story...

in fact, i can count all the differences on one hand; some, equal in

contrast...the few i can call of the top of my head are:

the tooth crumbling thing...seems painful but i've yet to have any

teeth problems; not even cavities.

i have not given birth to any children yet...

i have yet to find my calling in life:(

which, for me gives more validity to

the damaged goods acknowledgement...

but i feel indestructable...

still fustrated tho to have survived such daunting life

experiences...bliss eludes me...:/

...had to put the book down for a while...

tired of relieving myself...(rolling my eyes)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: SB
Date: 8/24/09
State: Indiana

Thank you again, I am now on page 146, although I am loving your book thus far my favorite part at this time is page 121 where you are giving Fatherly advice for your 12year old Daughter. I am a Daddy's little girl so It really hits home for me as far as having that positive male figure in my life even to this day and that is why I believe that I am married to such a wonderful Man now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: BK
Date: 8/26/09
State: Washington DC

Hey Taalam,

I hope you are basking in the glow of the success of your book. I completed it last night. I must say I have some thoughts on it, but I know you use your Blackberry so I'll make my comments brief.

Your book at first surprised me in that I thought it was solely a book of poetry. Then I realized that it was different than any poetry book that I have ever read. What also surprised me was the fact that you were so open about yourself.

The book itself was very well written. I don't believe that there is anything in there that I did not like. From your trials and tribulations of your travels to your love for your children, to your dislike of the "N" word to "Closing Affirmation I read them all with much interest.

I suppose that anyone can buy a book of poetry, but if they are looking for a book of insight, wisdom, humor, reflection and love for the spoken word, they will find all that and so much more in "Excellent Exposure." (I know this sounds like a walking billboard, but I am telling it like I'm feeling it).

I will recommend it.

God Bless You

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: M
Date: 8/27/09
State: Washington

Hello Mr. Acey. Thank you for your book. I didn't have the opportunity
to read it until now because I wanted no interruptions.

I have a new appreciation and respect for the thoughts, beliefs and
opinions of others. It may sound strange but Excellent Exposure has
inspired how I can more effectively handle travel, relationships,
business, my thought process and oh yes, ordering drinks!

I need and want to read the book again. I have to be honest...while
reading it I felt, happy, mad, joyful, sad, I burst out in laughter,
said “Oh No He Didn’t” and became extremely motivated to just do and be
me even the more. Having said that, I'm glad I heeded the curiosity
tugging on the inside that wouldn't allow me to put the book down.

Every couple considering marriage or any person in any type of
relationship (family, friends, etc.) should read this book. I believe
I have a better understanding of why my husband and I didn’t and in
some ways still don’t, quite ‘connect’ in our marriage; why some
friends had to be cut loose; why I’m not strange because I prefer email
to phone calls, and why though I’m not a loner, I’d rather be alone
most of the time.

Your closing affirmation—My mother died in October of last year and one
of the things she said to me was to remember that my physical being is
not what makes me. She told=2
0me that even as a child I saw the bigger
picture. I forgot just that quickly until I read a passage in your book
that stated…"my soul is larger than my body"...

I haven't stepped forward in life the way that I should have because I
have been making excuses and have been confused as to my past failures.
I didn’t allow, as you stated, “my soul to stand tall.”

You’re right. This physical book can’t be shared. It can be
discussed…but only to an extent... and with those whose minds are open.
I told some friends about it and one asked if she could read it. My
first thought was "this is not a harlequin romance novel; I do not
share that which is a classic—get your own my sista!” I believe people
should read it for themselves, so for a few friends— (non-judgmental
and one who is anti-Taalam) their Christmas gift will come early.

People will either love it or hate it...but hating it would mean they
too found themselves unintentionally exposed and refuse to deal with
that unwanted but warranted reality...of self.

I had to revisit page 4--prophetic. I judged you before I completed
reading the book. I owe you an apology for those thoughts. Actually I
owe myself an apology because I would have missed realizing the fact
that my depression was not really depression, it was the longing, as
you said—to fulfill my destiny. I'm
glad I accepted the challenge to
continue reading.

This book has even had an impact on me physically. I still can't
believe that getting a bikini through a ring is one of my new goals
thereby assisting with my weight loss and healthier eating lifestyle
change).

I did form judgments…but after reading the entire book and having to
pause and re-read certain sections, the judgmental attitude ceased and
all I could say was he’s right, he is right!

I know my Christian brothers and sisters would probably frown upon my
thoughts and say, “how dare you include any other book other than the
Bible as an asset to state of mind/living”…but if someone were to ask
me to state one sentence about Excellent Exposure it would probably be:
Taalam has exposed us to the real common sense of the facts of life,
enjoy the wake-up call.

Thank you for exposing yourself. I know this book is about you, but in
the midst of reading Excellent Exposure, I somehow found myself –
exposed - to my own self - in a true and necessary way. I will stand
taller, prouder and more importantly in honor of God’s purpose for, in
and through me.

Finally accepting my existence, space in the universe.

P.S. I'm glad I waited to find out more about you before acting upon
the want for you to visit our city. The want has turned into a need.

Be richly blessed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Order a copy of Excellent Exposure for yourself (and/or a loved one) today at www.taalamacey.tv/store

Excellent Exposure: Table of Contents

2009-08-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

EXCELLENT EXPOSURE

INNER WORKINGS

part i
Opening Affirmation (click to read)
Modus Operandi
Restraining Order
Reasons to Avoid Me
Traveling Mercies
Tragic Figure
Unholy Water

part ii
“How Do You Feel About Gay Poetry? (click for original draft)
Excellent Exposure
Thru a Wedding Ring
MasterPiece
Notes on an “Open Letter to Oprah Winfrey”

part iii
Touched
Lechery
Every Man in Here
Fatherly Advice for My 12yr old Daughter
Five Women
The Sun
Far From the Tree

part iv
Neither the Desire for Heaven nor the Fear of Hell
Abundance Energy
Becoming More Effective By Altering Focus
The Source of Depression in Artists (click for original draft)
Self-Construct
The N-word Part 1: An Open Letter to Russell Simmons
The N-Word Part 2: Self-defeating Neuro-linguistic Programming
Broken Glass

part v
Suite Remembrance
Compendium of My Sins
New President
Black History Month Reading List
Closing Affirmation

Excellent Exposure is pure inspiration. Order one for yourself or a loved one today at www.taalamacey.com/love

thank you.

-taalam

My Best Move

2009-08-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

I've been told frequently my next move should always be my best. The printer says Excellent Exposure will be done by the end of the week. I cannot wait for you to read my last 2 years' worth of writing. Half of the copies have already been pre-sold. Make sure you order one for yourself at www.taalamacey.tv/store

thank you.

-taalam

Ensure you get a signed Excellent Exposure. This will change how I move.

2009-07-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

My new book Excellent Exposure is due on August 3rd. Consider pre-ordering yours to ensure you get an autographed copy off the first batch; by doing so, you'll also give me an idea of which methods I should use to promote this new work. This new book may change the way I set up shows, the cities I visit and increase my ability to interact with those who are really into what I'm doing. Hopefully, you already know you can email me at any time for ANY reason; so feel free to send an email to tell me how you want it signed. Pre-order "Excellent Exposure" at:

http://www.taalamacey.tv/store -or- simply CLICK HERE.

"Experience a defiantly open compendium of essays and poems derived from over a decade of success as a full time world traveling poet. This self expository collection weaves critical thought, blunt introspection and empirical enlightenment."

Best always

-taalam

Opening Affirmation to my new book

2009-06-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

I am an independent artist with thousands of "fans." I have never been a budget line item at any television/film studio, book publisher or record company. My growth is solely due to word of mouth. Thus, I persist.

Enough friends follow what I do to ensure word of my work continues to spread. Furthermore, if I write an indispensable, unforgettable, hauntingly personal book, they will render said document a movement unto itself. My "fans" want to share my work with their folks. Ironically, I need to write something so irresistibly personal, intimate and timely, that readers are anxious to discuss it, but are emphatically unwilling to lend (or share) their copy.

Some have nearly given up introducing people to my work. Devoid of an enticing point of entry, few can be convinced to explore it. The question "What's in it for me," incessantly begs to be answered. I owe everyone, driven to share my ideas, a book they will reference instinctively; until others are overcome with curiosity.

This tome has to be a dense, serious work capable of lifelong worth. It cannot be a spectacle of thinly veiled sensationalism cloaked in dumbed-down shock value. It will say what many would not dare but desperately wish was said. It must serve truth, unabashedly, while being demonstrative of fearlessness; in full knowledge it will often be judged before being understood. It will convince many to disassociate from me while uniquely affirming the humanity of others (in unanticipated ways). This book must be written in complete communion with my gifts and demonstrate respect for that which bestowed them.

The following shall be that document.

****************************************

If you would like to get a copy directly from me, this is the time to do so. Soon Excellent Exposure will be sold through a third party. Order one for yourself today at www.taalamacey.tv/store

thank you.

-taalam

the poet LIFE's tribute to Michael Jackson. Very well done.

2009-06-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

the promotion was a success. so...

2009-06-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

I met the full 90 day obligation for the download promotion with 89 days to spare. The poem will remain free until September 24th but there's no need 2 mention it again. If Windows & Reverbnation didn't know there's incredible support 4 Spoken Word b4, they KNOW now! thanking them and THANK YOU!!

RIP Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

RIP Michael Jackson --- his artistry enhanced my earthly experience to an extent rarely surpassed

FREE download of 1 of my poems has been made possible by Microsoft

2009-06-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

a FREE download of one of my poems has been made possible by Microsoft. It's being offered (for a limited time) exclusively at http://www.myspace.com/windows?homepage=Taalamacey once you get to the page just select "download mp3" and you're set!

This is absolutely free with no strings attached. In fact, if you know someone who doesn't quite like Spoken Word enough to pay for it yet, tell them about the free download.

Also, don't worry about me, this won't cost me at all. This is strictly about you. I hope you actually go and download the poem (and tell anyone else who you think would appreciate a free Spoken Word piece) before the program ends. Perhaps that'll demonstrate the level of support there is for poetry. Besides...it's easy and free. thank you!

-taalam

June21st_Interview

2009-06-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the interview I did last night w/Lamont Carey

interview w/m torres

2009-06-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

This is the blogtalk radio interview I did yesterday w/Mari Torres

Highlights from Mood Demystify NYC

2009-06-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

a newer video of me doing Love/Erotik. i likes this one

2009-05-23T00:17:00.001-07:00

Heaven & Hell

2009-05-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

i'm motivated by neither the desire for heaven nor the fear of hell. I am only driven by purpose. Right now my sense of purpose is telling me to write another book. This is not an advertisement. I just want you to know that I'll be sharing pieces of the book with you here very soon. I value your feedback & insight and look forward to our upcoming dialogue.

best to you always.

-taalam

after nearly a year, Troubled Soul Refinery (as seen on BET) is back in print

2009-04-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

TROUBLED SOUL REFINERY

Troubled Soul Refinery (TSR), my 340 page poetry book (w/10 years worth of poems and bonus essays) is back in print. TSR is the 2008 Poetry for the People "Poetry Book of the Year" and discussed on BET (see video below).

click here to read more about the book

HBO finally showing Spoken Word in it's pure form

2009-03-31T13:13:00.001-07:00

get your tissue before you watch this. I'm just saying...

After enjoying Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency

2009-03-29T22:36:00.000-07:00

After enjoying Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency (http://www.hbo.com/no1ladiesdetectiveagency/), I looked up Anika Noni Rose's My Space page and saw that she has my video, "True Lies," posted there. Nice.

http://www.myspace.com/anika_noni_rose

Spoken Word is reaching out.

-taalam

all of my work, going back to 1999, now on iTunes

2009-03-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

All my work (every CD going back to 1999) is now available on iTunes. If you think there's anything I may have written that you've yet to hear (or remember from days past), please see if there's a 99 cent track (or 2) that resonates or might assist in giving you food for thought in these precarious times. If you're like me, you're already turning more to your speakers & headphones to ease your mind.

Well, with that said, you can find all 12 CDs by doing a search on my name or going to: http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=taalam+acey

thanks.

part 2 to the mother's day montage

2009-03-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

here's part 2. it is now abundantly clear that i should have talked more.

a Mother's Day montage I participated in: Part 1

2009-03-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

MySpace as a means of communication

2009-03-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

short version:

If you would like more frequent and quality interaction with me, look me up on Facebook under the email taalam36@yahoo.com

unabriddged version:

Blessings,

I have no issue with MySpace in that it serves a particular purpose. As a general media tool that introduces my person (and work) it's been brilliant. MySpace has been and continues to be an incredible tool for meeting people. My understanding is that it began as a way for bands and fans to meet. Many more people know of me now than when I began with Myspace nearly three years ago (quite frankly, even television shows, publications and documentarians have found me here).

If you would like to see what I'm doing professionally, hear about my new products, leave a comment (even if all it does is promote your own work/events), MySpace is a good place to do so.

However, if you prefer a more person-to-person interaction with me, the most effective way is to look me up on Facebook (I would give you a direct link but they often don't work on closed networks like Facebook anyway) just search under "Find Friends" for the email taalam36@yahoo.com. On that forum, I'm able to keep up more frequently, I add regular status updates, there's often a daily back & forth on my "wall," rather than one sided "comments" on my profile, and it's much much easier to KEEP TRACK OF MY MESSAGES.

This is not a Facebook commercial. I'm actually pretty partial to MySpace in that, unlike Facebook, MySpace has never deleted 2,500 of my friends simply because I attempted to add 30 people who already indicated they wanted to see me perform (sorry, just venting).

On MySpace, messages that require quick responses are no problem. But whenever a message requires a longer (or more thought out) response, I often put it aside for when I have more time to address it. Sadly, if a week goes by, there's often too many messages piled up to relocate every single one that required an in depth answer. Due to human error (on my part, of course) I'm able to get back to most, though NOT ALL, of them.

I've opted to receive phone notifications from MySpace whenever I receive a message. However with Facebook, I get more than notified; the message itself comes to my phone. So beyond the fact that unread (and unreplied to) messages are easier to track on Facebook, I also get to read messages and formulate my reply before I sit down to a computer to do so (yes, I could reply back via my phone, but sometimes that doesn't go well. once I deleted an entire page of unread Myspace messages like that).

I'm open to a higher level of interaction, but I don't think MySpace is the forum for such. Also, having an assistant respond to my messages (on any forum), as has often been suggested, has yet to be argued convincingly to me. I would like to know firsthand what you're thinking (or wondering) and I prefer to answer or comment as only I would (No I really do! Why else would I write this long @ss message?).

I hope this makes some modicum of sense.

-taalam

All 12 of my CDs are now available for download

2009-03-07T05:25:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in obtaining some of my earlier work, please note that I've just made all 12 CDs available for sample & download on CDBaby.com. Simply click on the covers of the CDs. - thank you.

What I'm up to...your feedback

2009-03-02T05:45:00.000-08:00

MOOD DEMYSTIFY

I want you to be among the first to know that I've decided to create a yearlong series. The series is called Mood Demystify and will take place in Baltimore, New York, Oakland and Los Angeles. The format of the series will be part performance, part panel discussion & part late night talk show. Mood Demystify will commence in Baltimore (5 Seasons - 830 Guilford Ave) on April 9th (doors open at 8p).

Only my absolute favorite poets will be invited to participate in this series: the one's I hold in the highest regard and have good questions for. The first two guests will be Ainsley Burrows and 13 of Nazareth. The three of us will perform, I'll engage them in challenging questions and you'll have the opportunity to interact with your own questions. Tickets for the first show are available at www.taalamacey.com/baltimore

The Baltimore show will be every 2nd Thursday. The New York show will commence in May and occur every 4th Wednesday. I'll let you know when the Oakland and Los Angeles dates have been confirmed.

FEEDBACK

Please send your feedback to me about things you'd like to see me do, questions or general suggestions you may have or if you wish me to continue doing something you like.

FIVE WOMEN

There's a video presentation of my poem Five Women which has been watched nearly 1,000 times on YouTube in the past week or so. Please press play on the screen below if you'd like to see the 5 women who inspired the poem.

you can find out more about the CD or order a copy at www.taalamacey.com

LASTLY

Thank you for all the love you've shown me as well as the patience you've extended which has given me time to grow. May we continue to grow together. Thankfully, I'm in the best position of my poetry career right now. So expect me to find ways to give back to you, my art form and society much much more.

Blessings,

- Taalam Acey

http://www.reverbnation.com/taalamacey

my internet radio interview last night

2009-02-27T06:52:00.001-08:00

Here's my interview from last night. It should be the first one that plays. If not, scroll for my name. I hope all is going blessedly well for you. peace...

and you can find out more about California Suite (and order a copy) at www.taalamacey.com. thanks

Response To Questions About Int'l Performances

2009-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Q: What foreign countries have you performed in?
A: Mexico, Canada, Germany, UK, Jamaica and Holland

Q: How long do you usually stay?
A: from a couple of days to a couple of weeks

Q: Did you learn any of the languages before you went?
A: nope. the only language I know is English, but that hasn't been much of a problem. Honestly, I've taken more Spanish classes than anyone you know who doesn't speak the language. lol! I guess I'm not so inclined.

Q: Was language an issue for you while you were over there?
A: No. English is quite popular. They speak American English very well in Holland. In the UK and Jamaica the accent and slang are different and make it a bit difficult. In Germany the students are also quite adept at American English. Also, German is phonetically similar being that it's one of English's root languages.

Q: Where did you perform and how was it compared to venues in America?
A: I've performed in overseas venues that are as good as the best American poetry venues. Rotown in Rotterdam, Paradiso in Amsterdam, The Albany Theater in Deptford, UK, The Motion Bar & the Tabernacle in London and St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto.

Q: Do you travel alone?
A: Yes

Q: Have you made connections with people, so that if you ever return you can save on a hotel room?
A: I have but I generally prefer hotel rooms; for one, I enjoy sipping whiskey, sitting in my boxers and surfing the web.

Q: What is your advice to an artist traveling overseas for the first time?
A: (1) If you don't speak the language talk slowly. (2) Make sure you get all the numbers, addresses and directions you need ahead of time and (3) expect to be treated with respect and be sure to return it.

A Review of California Suite

2009-02-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

With California Suite, Taalam Acey once again pushes the envelope of Spoken Word artistry. This CD plays like a novella set to Spoken Word poetry. (Could this be the birth of a new genre?) As always, his message has depth and breadth that most of us can only aspire to achieve. In classic Acey form, he rips, wrangles, and massages words to take us on a sexual, intellectual, and inspirational journey of love, politics, and social consciousness. The CD is filled with excellent poetry, calling us all (especially men and fathers) to accountability, but two pieces stick out as the most powerful- New President and Five Women.

Every person that voted for change needs to hear New President. Acey sums up for us, in his unique, eloquent fashion, what we’ve all thought of the problems, feared of the complexity, and hope for our new President. Like the now iconic Hope poster, New President is destined to become the verbal collector’s item from this monumental period in our nation’s history.

Every time I hear Five Women, I get a lump in my throat the size of a walnut. This is a brilliant tribute to the women who shaped the man. Visit Acey’s website http://www.taalamacey.com to experience the poem with accompanying photos of these five beautiful women. Touching and inspiring, this visit into the family photo album offers a rare, yet vivid glimpse into Acey’s world and formative years. The poem touches every man, woman, and child whose mother has called them (and sometimes whooped them) to something higher than their own self concept. Five Women is a Mother’s Day poem for 365 days a year.

As if all that wasn't enough, the end of the CD has three bonus tracks of familiar favorites- She Conjurez, Ugly 2/Self Help and What You Deserve. California Suite will leave you hungry for love, hopeful for change, and mindful that chance encounters are not by chance at all.

Sandra Whittaker
Communications Specialist
St. Louis, MO

Taalam Acey vs. Lamar Hill slam footage

2009-02-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

I just found this.
intense, but hella funny

Questions from a young poet

2009-02-05T02:48:00.001-08:00

A young poet on Facebook asked me a few questions. Here they are answered to the best of my ability:

1.) what are the initial steps you took to get your name/talent recognized/(basically if I am really interested in pursuing this what would be some first steps you would recommend)

My first steps involved poetry slams. They allowed me to 1) improve my skills in a competitive environment and 2) meet, be seen by and network w/poets and poetry event promoters around the world.

2.) how did you make your art a business.

By treating it as such. I've put as much thought into spreading my work (thru product development/sales and venue features) as I have in writing the pieces. I rarely cancel shows and try to maintain a good working relationship with the venues/promoters I've dealt with in the past. It's been of prime significance that I consider my personal responsibilities and estimated return when booking shows.

3.) do you regret your choice to switch to spoken word full time

Never. It's been challenging, but it simply means I have to rise to the occasion. Unlike many people who have stable work and fixed incomes, the up and downside of my life is totally and continuously in my own hands. I appreciate being responsible for my ultimate success and failure, while knowing that there's only myself to blame for mistakes and missteps. I'm comfortable learning how to obtain my goals through self criticism and perfecting my work ethic. I would not change this opportunity to pilot my life and live/die by my efforts.

4.) what been your greatest obstacle to overcome on your journey as a spoken word artist.

The greatest obstacle has been learning to keep my expectations realistic while understanding success is not an overnight endeavor. I've dealt with less than supportive crowds and many unprofessional promoters. Figuring ways to work around and overcome those obstacles is the only path that allows one to remain standing. Few things happen as you would hope (or even believe) they should.

5.) do you have any advice on perfecting your skill, sometimes i get a writer’s block or feel that what i write isnt good enough, do you have any techniques you'd recommend to overcome that?

I don't believe in writer’s block. Pieces have gestation periods. Some take hours and some take weeks (or months). The writer must simply respect the process. The quality of what's written is best seen through the eyes of one's own pride. The desire to share one's work and not be embarrassed by what's presented should discourage the writer from taking shorts. Your next move should always be your best move. Pursue excellence in this art form. Let your pride drive you to become your own worst critic.

Meet the Five Women who made my life possible

2009-01-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

Since i answered this "survey," might as well share it

2009-01-19T06:43:00.001-08:00

I'm not one for doing surveys. In fact, this is probably the first I've done. But, since a friend asked and i responded, I might as well share my answers:

1. Are you a professional?

yes

2. Are you left or right handed

right

3. Would you trust individuals who would allow “any ol’ body in his or her inner circle?

of course not

4. Dinner or lunch?

dinner

5. Are you gay or straight?

straight

6. How do YOU define ghetto?

a state of mind that causes one not to aim high

7. What is a Quality woman in your opinion?

supportive, independent and self-confident

8. Suit or casual?

dress casual

9. Cognac or vodka?

Cognac 10. Why you are here, truly?

wanted to give people another option for connecting with me

11. Are you a smoker?

cigars

12. Do you hold any degrees?

a.s, and b.s. in accounting
mba in finance

13. How many times will you forgive a liar?

depends on the lie. sometimes once. sometimes always.

14. What is being a credible witness?

one having little motivation to lie

15. How is the relationship with your mother?

my favorite person

16. If applicable, are your children top priorities?

absolutely

17. If applicable, is child support an option?

a necessity

18. What are your peeves?

clutter

19. What defines cheating?

stepping out of the boundaries set by the relationship

20. Putting time on some situations only allow the guilty individual to correct his or her known errors, have you tried to cover up any known errors to make the one who was right a liar?

probably, i've done some of everything. i'm not extremely complicit though. i like to keep it simple.

Here's My BlakStar Radio Interview from Tuesday (January 15, 2009)

2009-01-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

You can listen to my interview with the the two lovely ladies of BlakStar at the following link. Blessings...

-www.blogtalkradio.com/blakstar-

-Purchase California Suite-

Best. Always...
-Taalam Acey

Harlem Tonight, Web interview Wed night, Lamar Hill vs. Taalam Acey and more

2009-01-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

Hello, this is an FYI blog:

I'll be performing in Harlem 9pm tonight (tues 01/13/09)at Moca Lounge (no cover charge, 2 drink minimum) 2210 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Then tomorrow night I'll be interviewed on the Web by BLAKstar entertainment at 10pm (est). The call-in number is 914-338-1556 and the website is www.blogtalkradio.com/blakstar.

If you plan to attend the Lamar Hill vs. Taalam Acey event in Baltimore this Thursday (including poets from NY to Texas), your name will be automatically placed on the Will Call list immediately after you purchase tickets at www.taalamacey.com/tickets. Also, nearly 1,000 people have watched the "California Suite" vlog in the past few days. If you haven't seen it yet, please check it out below. Lastly, my facebook page was deleted a few days back. I started another page and thankfully over a thousand people have re-added me. Let's make sure we're still connected. If you haven't re-added me yet, then please click here. Thank you!

Join BLAKstar as we feature one of the best in the spoken word game.Taalam Acey will join BLAKstar in a fun filled segment discussing his new CD California Suite,
his shows, his inspiration and so much more!
BLAKstar is making a bang in 2009 come ride with us on this journey.
Call us at 914-338-1556
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blakstar
IM us during the show: blakstar.talk@yahoo.com

-Purchase California Suite-

Best. Always...

-Taalam Acey
http://www.reverbnation.com/taalamacey

"Thru A Wedding Ring" How To Know When It's Perfect

2009-01-06T03:47:00.000-08:00

Recently, I asked for questions about California Suite. Most people asked the real reasoning behind a CD built upon a connection with the listener. There was also concern about my decision to avoid being gratuitously "impressive." The brief video below shares the answers to those questions and gives a rendition of "Thru A Wedding Ring," the first poem on California Suite. Feel free to share this email with anyone you think may appreciate the message.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to reach out to me. Please keep in mind, it may take a bit longer to get back to you today; I'll be traveling to Los Angles. But never forget I'm always open to hearing from you. Always!...try me.

-Purchase California Suite-

Please Add My New Facebook Profile (Revised)

2009-01-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

Peace, My Facebook profile was deleted yesterday. Please add my new profile:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=1151623104&ref=name

and please spread the word to anyone else I may know.

if this link doesn't work for you, please search for me on facebook under the email taalam36@yahoo.com

thank you!

-taalam

-Taalam Acey

http://www.reverbnation.com/taalamacey

California Suite: Can You Love Me Like This?

2008-12-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

One good thing about “California Suite” is that a few days of online pre-sales (during the holiday season, at that) have almost exceeded four month’s worth of online “Self Construct” sales. I take this to mean there's something compelling about the project and am, likewise, extremely grateful.

The not-so-good thing is that people aren't realizing the concept is based on a fictional story. Likewise, I'm being congratulated for meeting someone in a California hotel, on Election Day. The reality is; I spent Election Day in a neighborhood lounge in Baltimore.

The CD is not about me, it's about you. The point isn't my meeting someone, or even what it would be like for someone to meet me. On the contrary, this CD was designed to put your understanding of attraction in the mirror. California Suite is intended to help us analyze the quality of our relationships (or the lack thereof).

A while back, a young lady named Prudence told me she got closer to her then boyfriend by sharing my work, and asking questions (their wedding invitation is on my desk right now). Around the same time, another woman approached me, after a performance, and explained how she’d played one of my poems for a young man she was falling for, and asked him one simple question, “Are you capable of loving me like that?” Though their relationship barely outlasted the framing of the question, she seemed appreciative that more of her life hadn’t been wasted.

California Suite takes it further, and explores love not just as attraction & emotion, but as two people’s ability to stimulate each other both mentally and physically. The idea is to entertain while also bringing you face to face with compatibility.

The project can be enjoyed alone. However, the true utility of the CD is in playing it for your (potential) significant other as an impetus for conversation. The project can help answer two questions: 1. Is this a person with whom you can discuss the things that matter most? 2. Do you both reasonably agree on the capabilities of your relationship?

California Suite will undoubtedly inspire questions. What I would love to know now, though, is: Do you have any questions about California Suite?

The Concept Of California Suite

2008-12-22T06:11:00.000-08:00

Election night 2008, found me sitting at the bar, in the ground floor lounge of a beautiful California hotel, watching the live results. I perused the liquor shelves, thinking back to my show the night before and trying not to obsess over my cancelled flight home. At the very most, I had spent 10 minutes in my suite; just enough time to drop my bags off, turn the TV on and scroll to MSNBC for an election update, before heading downstairs for cocktails.

I was exhausted, having spent most of the day on standby, hoping to catch a flight. Now, I sat morose, half watching the other guests discuss the economy, the war, the candidates and the soon-to-be lame duck president. Being forced to spend an extra night on the road, without a show, had me sitting there quite bored, lonely and watching myself in the large mirror behind the liquor bottles. My mood changed completely when I noticed a gorgeous woman, in an orange and gold bikini, leaving the swimming pool area. I turned around and, immediately, zoned out.

Once the new president was announced, the bartender pulled me back with an "on the house" whiskey shot, as a gentleman seated to my left asked, "So, are you ready for our new president?" Without answering, I turned the other way, in response to the sound of the stool next to me sliding out. Guess who was about to sit at the bar, wearing a black pencil skirt & beige blouse with a "Vote for Change" button?

The remainder of the evening was spent sipping, conversing and laughing. All the while, my solitary focus was, "can charm and good conversation move this from a night with each other, to the beginning of a life together?"

You Be The Judge...
1. California Drum Roll, 2. Hotel Lounge, 3. Thru A Wedding Ring (live), 4. New President, 5. Broken Glass, 6. Shot In The Dark, 7. Every Man In Here, 8. Who Made This World , 9. California Drum Roll Deux, 10. Talk To Them, 11. Five Women, 12. Thru A Wedding Ring, 13. Air & Opportunity, 14. Suite Remembrance, 15. Suite Remembrance (live)

CALIFORNIA SUITE
Your Room Is Ready

Thank You!

Replacing "She Conjurez" As My Best Piece In 10+ Years

2008-12-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

The best thing I've written in 10 years may have been "She Conjurez." However, now I think I've finally out done it. You be the judge. Use the player below to go to "Five Women" and tell me what you think.

Bless you. Always...

-taalam

2 Pieces From the Next Project & A Discussion

2008-12-04T09:41:00.001-08:00

Blessings,

The link below is for an audio interview I did with Soultalk last night (12/03/08) where, among other things, I discussed the name & concept of my new CD and shared a couple of pieces ("Thru a Wedding Ring" and "New President") from it. The interview begins 6:25 into the broadcast. Keep in mind; I was outside on the phone throughout this interview, in 35 degree weather. I probably should have mentioned that to him. lol!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/expressionloveandpassion/2008/12/04/tba

In other news, I attempted to record most of the live segments of the CD last night at 5 Seasons, a local Baltimore poetry spot. This was the first time in my career I attempted to perform that many brand new pieces in one setting. Unfortunately, though the performance went well, the recording itself turned out distorted. What's encouraging though is I ran through the entire concept with the crowd, performed the poems and received more positive feedback that I ever expected.

Also remember, if you have yet to purchase Self Construct, or would like to GIFT a copy (or two), I've decided to offer the last copies at $12 (with shipping and handling included, except for Int'l orders). Click Here or the link below (please note that I'm not changing the price everywhere, just thru this link and the image of the CD on my website). Best believe, I'm keeping it moving and will make sure you get it ASAP. The point is, I'm overcome with excitement about a message that's about to show you something you've been missing for a long time, and the reunion between you and it promises to change your life for the better, forever.

SELF CONSTRUCT (special offer)

Thank you
-Taalam Acey
December 3, 2008

A Recent Radio Interview Regarding Where I'm Going

2008-11-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

What I'm writing for 2009 will make you prouder to be associated with me than you've ever been (especially if you've never been. lol!) In this recent interview by Hussein Hill of NBBTA Radio http://nbbta.byoaudio.com/files/media/d0e4b09f-d654-759e-4d6a-a03c3f92f845.mp3, I discuss my Spoken Word past, present and future (warning: I listened to it this morning and it's pretty long, skim through it if you have to).

In 2009, please believe, I will bring you something that will add a new angle to the way you see the culture of love and appreciation for women (our mothers, sisters, soul mates and lovers). In the meantime, as I work to produce a project which is, to say the least, passionately demonstrative of the respect and reverence I have for you (don't decide until you hear it), I would like to sell off the current project to make room for it.

I imagine, by this point, you already own Self Construct. However, if you do not, I'm asking you to consider purchasing it right away. Not only is it a moving representation of what over a decade of studying Spoken Word (and the power of ideas) has channeled, but by purchasing it, you will also help bring forth a new work guaranteed to significantly impact the way we see society and experience love...something every person in your family will be able to appreciate from the elders on down (yes, I'm finally good enough to give you something both grandma's and Generation Xers can both love, without being corny. lol!).

Fortunately, for me, there aren't many copies of Self Construct left and I'm likely to allow it to go out of print, permanently. If you would like one (or more) of the last few copies, I've decided to offer them at $12 (with shipping and handling included, except for Int'l orders). Click the link below (please note that I'm not changing the price everywhere, just on my site and the link below) and I'll make sure you get it right away. The point is, I'm overcome with excitement about a message that's about to show you something you've been missing for a long time, and the reunion between you and it promises to change your life for the better, forever.

Purchase SELF CONSTRUCT

Thank you
-Taalam Acey
November 26, 2008

Taalam Acey & 13 of Nazareth discuss future of Spoken Word

2008-11-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

Last weekend in Toronto was pretty low key. The 10th anniversary of "When Brothers Speak," the showcase, held Friday and Saturday night. And, just as he did when I performed at the first one in 1999, promoter Dwayne Morgan, filled a 500 seat Theater within the elegant St. Lawerence Performance Center (though this time he was quite impressively able to fill the theater, twice). Equally as impressive, and humbling, were the other performers, themselves.

I spent most of my time shooting the breeze with Marquis Mix (aka 13 of Nazareth), an American Spoken Word artist, and friend, that I hold in the absolute highest regard. We walked some (yet strangely never in the direction of the CN tower, which was 2 blocks from our hotel), caught the new James Bond flick and talked (and talked and talked and...) nearly exclusively about our art form. In fact, we even talked throughout the event's after party (yelling over soca, classic r&b and hip-hop while in a back room) on Friday, til 3am.

The following day we philosophized more and, in the evening, recorded the following video immediately before call time for Saturday's performance. The idea was to document and share our thoughts with whomever may benefit or wish add to the discussion. I'm hoping some will find this helpful, if not interesting. Watch below.

PART I

PART II

-taalam acey

November 18, 2008

Kansas City, MO

3 Questions Give A Glimpse Where I'm Headed

2008-11-17T12:34:00.001-08:00

Writer, Akili Amina, asked me three questions for SISTRS.org. I'm grateful to share my thoughts regarding negative images of Black women in the Media. It's a discussion that begs to be addressed, with increased frequency. The three questions are listed below. My answers can be found at this link:

http://sistrs.org/Taalam_Acey_speaks_out.aspx

1. What damage in your opinion, has been done to our community regarding the negative images of Black women in the Media?

2. When handing out responsibilities about negative images of Black women, what would you like to say to BET or to the Hip Hop community?

3. Men are the protector of their women and we feel let down, what can black men do?

...so now I ask you, what would your answers be?

-click here for the complete article-

The Source of Depression in Artists

2008-11-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

THE SOURCE OF DEPRESSION IN ARTISTS (by Taalam Acey)

If you are a depressed artist, the following may be helpful. Conversely, if you are not depressed then, I would imagine, you are either not an artist or are a fortunate exception.

The old blues cliche about becoming "a better artist when you've suffered more" does not apply here. This essay is about your inherent make up rather than typical life problems (i.e., harsh upbringing, baby mother/father drama, financial difficulties, etc.).

There's a reason why all artists are presumed to be tortured souls. You have a creativity born from original thinking. Your potential for fame is based on your proprietary thought process.

This does not apply to pop stars. Their potential for fame is due to fads, formula and multi-million dollar mass marketing. They (and their svengalis) are only "artist" if and when the prefix "con" is applied. Pop stars may be depressed also, but that's merely because they quickly become aware of their temporal significance.

Many pop stars are endowed with talent. Gifts, though, are only a function of luck. Providence distributes talent randomly to several of us. Still artistry requires a covenant with self. Talent is but a component. Mining one's soul in order to share its gems with humanity takes a deliberate (and brave) decision.

The true artist digs deep within, so that she/he may facilitate superbly human connections. When such digging is done sincerely, what's discovered is unique. That's the problem.

Individuality breeds loneliness. When you think differently, loneliness abounds. You may, like pop stars tend to, surround yourself with sycophants, but you will still be alone. Most likely, you will prefer the company of "friends." Sadly, though friends sincerely love you, it will become ever clearer that none of them truly understand you. How could they? It is your unique thought process that makes you special and, by extension, alone. Therein lies the depression.

The other day I trekked overnight for miles through the streets of South Central LA. My hotel money was securely in my pocket, yet I walked until dawn thinking about the loneliness that succumbs us. Creeping vehicles and curious looks did nothing to distract me. I could not help but focus on the loneliness. My thought process causes me to do things that seem odd to most. I do these sorts of things on occasion. My reasoning process is the strength of my writing AND the nadir of my loneliness.

You see, It's organic. Artist, eventually, begin to feel like aliens longing to return to their planet of origin. Remember, that which made Superman special on Earth, only made him normal on Krypton.

The loneliness caused by your individuality can make you ill. Likewise, many artists self medicate via drugs, alcohol, groupies, fame or anything else that may make life less painful.

In the extreme, even suicide may appear attractive, as if it's the way to return to "krypton," the artist's point of origin. This option seems quite appealing when the artist is at her/his loneliest. All seems pointless. This loneliness may manifest before, during or after the artist becomes popular.

Before so called fame, there is the belief that if more people are touched by your unique thought process, the loneliness will subside. This phase may not be survived if the artist does not experience increased popularity within a tolerable time frame. You should note here though, that popularity grows geometrically rather than linearly. That is to say that true fame often grows so slowly as to be undetected at first. Add to this, "the tipping point" cannot usually be foreseen. Thus it's possible to believe nothing is happening for years and then wake up one morning to find that you've become more popular overnight than in all the years prior.

When the artist becomes famous, the curtain is pulled from the myth that popularity equates to the dissipation of loneliness. Fame is due to people appreciating aspects of you. Sadly, the aspects which tend to be appreciated, by the vast majority, are surface level. This does not provide a fulfilling reward for having dug deep.

Popularity is an opiate. It is capable of deluding the artist into almost believing she/he isn't lonely. Thus when popularity wanes the pain increases. Self-medication often accompanies this. Tragically, as the pain increases, self-medication often increases also: be it in the form of substances, sycophants or clamoring for spots in infomercials, embarrassing gigs or Celebrity Fit Club/Surreal Life inclusion.

Fortunately, there are several cures for the artist's strain of loneliness. One is fellowship. It is important to spend personal time in the company of other artists you respect. The sharing of thoughts and experiences may help with emotional burdens.

Another solution is reading. It is an especially good idea to read the biographies (and essays) of those who have come before you. This level of enlightenment can be counted on to shed light on the demons that may come to plague you.

My last suggestion is to stay productive. There are few things more cathartic for artists than baring her/his soul through the manifestation of self.

In the end I'm sure there are many more paths toward appreciating this existence while subsiding the loneliness. I would bet, though, that there is one thing that will doom all these attempts to failure. The true artist should, at all times, be mindful of selling out. There can be no guarantee that you will ever be the same once you endeavor to become a stranger to yourself. Never fail to be someone you respect. Nothing is lonelier than the desire to avoid yourself.

REASONS TO AVOID ME (Why My Relationships Are Doomed)

2008-11-07T07:48:00.002-08:00

Any woman who is nice to me, cannot last. I was brought up on TV dinners and fast food. My concept of home cooking is maligned. Attempts to treat me to a home cooked meal make me uneasy. In fact, most any step toward my "happiness" is met with anxiety.

"I love you," was not among the mantras of my upbringing, unless, of course, when expressed symbolically via phrases like, "do your home work!" and "take out the trash!" Women, who appear to want me to believe they love me, scare me, deeply. I have found great comfort in dismaying many a past girlfriend with the stoic insight that she, actually, does not "love me."

My mother was an angel, albeit one far more proficient with the belt than the harp. She didn't wish me to be anything less than self sufficient. Thus, latchkey boot camp was my place of origin: a key (on a dingy shoelace) around my neck, food in the freezer, and a list that required doing before the angel returned.

I learned to cook for myself as a young child. I'm at peace in the kitchen. Hell, I cook and wash dishes for meditative catharsis. Precious few women have ever cooked for me. Suffice to say, I don't create the space that would encourage it.

I wasn't allowed outside when my mother wasn't home. Nevertheless, being that there were no witnesses and endless curiosity, I often ventured into the streets. Sometimes, while out, a random stranger would punch me dead in the face (it was New Jersey, after all). Overtime, for reasons of pride and self preservation, I learned to defend myself. But, the feeling of eminent danger has never left. When confronted, I never learned to argue and escalate; I just switched to merciless pugilism without warning. Likewise, in relationships, I do not argue and escalate. She'll know I'm unhappy, but think I'm not quite unhappy enough to leave. Then, seemingly without warning, it's over...forever.

As a child, I learned to entertain myself. I read, watched television and read some more. Funny, my youngest daughter is like that. In contrast, my oldest daughter never liked the television. From my earliest attempts to sit her in front of one, she would stare at me with the type of peculiar expression that might be warranted had I sat her in front of the microwave. Her relationship with televisions parallels mine with phones. Even as a child, I found phone calls intrusive. Before the days of caller ID (or even bill collectors/telemarketers) I trained myself to be oblivious to ringing phones. Emails and text messages are welcome. On busy days, I can respond to (or initiate) more than two hundred of each. Unlike phone calls, they are not preemptive. Phone calls feel selfish, like I'm being told, "stop whatever insignificance you're engaged in and talk to me." This is fine for those who, if they could, would answer their phone once the first six digits were dialed. I, though, do not pay my phone bill for the privilege of being interrupted. If you've been in a relationship with me, you've ascertained, if only by default, that idle conversation is discouraged.

I once saw an interview with Judge Bruce Wright where he explained that the primary downfall of his many marriages was that he preferred to spend the majority of his time alone. The fact that he shut himself in his study for hours and often traveled was the deal breaker that led to several divorces. For my part, I was an only child (until just before I went to college). Shutting myself in a room is soothingly organic.

This may all sound odd. I'm known to write love poems that address long term happiness. A common misconception, however, is that I could be a direct source of that type of happiness, simply because I may know how to inspire it. The good (I believe) I'm doing with my love poetry, lies in providing something beautiful for those in relationships to share. Many men are clueless with regard to what women want. If I've come close to describing some of it, then, hopefully, I've done something positive for humankind.

But, if you've been paying attention, it should be apparent that this writer, on the other hand, is no knight in shining armor. Instead, I might just be the king of damaged goods.

...when people tell you who they are, believe them.

Taalam Acey

ps. You may want to ask your partner if they see themselves anywhere in the above. It could save you some time.

pps. here's THE ASTROLOGY OF IT: "We may as well get this out into the open right away. Don't pin your hopes on a Virgo man if your heart is hungry for romantic dreams and fairy tales, or you'll find yourself on a starvation diet. A love affair with a Virgo will dump a warm sentimentalist on the cold ground with a hard thud, and it can hurt." click here for more

Becoming more effective by altering focus

2008-11-07T07:48:00.001-08:00

A few days ago, I attended a neighborhood open mic I like to frequent whenever I'm home; a place with a suave decor, grown/sexy folk, positivity and a band. Usually, the performers are singers, musicians and/or poets. On this particular day, a rap contest was also booked in the venue and was running over time, so the organizers decided to intersperse the rap contest and the open mic.

I don't attend many hip-hop shows, so this was guaranteed to be interesting. As the event unfolded, I was impressed by the emcees' presence, lyricism and respectfulness of whoever was on stage. However, what saddened me was how all, but a few, rapped about how big their guns were, how many "hoes" they had and, even worse, how they sold more drugs to our community than everyone else. One hook went something like, "I got that crack. I got that blow. I got that E. Hollar at me." Little by little, the normal open mic crowd cascaded out the door. In fact, a small number of the open mic-ers decided, after some rap line or other, that their best move was to remove their name from the list and head, abruptly, home. I, being both entertained by the quality of the performances and hurt by the evidence of the performers' indoctrination, decided to remain and observe.

The plethora of thoughts volleying around my head were interrupted when the host squatted near me, pointed toward the stage and mouthed, "you're next." As I looked up, an acquaintance was staring at me intently; while holding a makeshift sign. I allowed my eyes to glance down almost in slow motion and took in the magic marker sign that said, " Slave Trade" (the title of my poem about the crack pandemic). I had planned to do "Market 4 Ni$$as," so I shook my head. When he began waving his sign, widening his eyes and bouncing up and down (though emphatic behavior is not uncommon for him), I reconsidered. I relented because drug selling had been glorified all night, thus, it seemed only right that I should address its origins.

I was called to the stage immediately after a young man completed a rap regarding his hair-trigger temper and arsenal. As soon as I hit the stage, I could hear the young brothas confirming to one another that I was the guy they'd seen on television. I was surprised by how many in that audience had apparently seen me. Eventually it made sense though. Most poetry lovers don't tune into TV One, BET or read AllHipHop.com. This crowd, on the other hand, preferred those mediums. I started, "By most accounts, the Slave Trade began in the late 80's. Long before rap stars were 'trap stars' there was crack." At this point, many of the attendees seemed to get excited. I was blown. Did they really think I was about to do a pro-crack poem?

"It was likky like that in midtown Manhattan, Latin Quarter, VIP room; there he is in the back with the crack pipe."

Many began cheering. They seemed to remain confused until I started to explain the origins of crack and the CIA's complicity in introducing it to our community. "The CIA was behind it so the black community got flooded with crack. They had to protect their investment so the black community got flooded with gats." I began to see light bulbs appearing above heads. The more the light bulbs appeared, the quieter the crowd became. The most salient part of the night was how so many young men quietly thanked me for the poem as they exited the club.

The next day, while being interviewed by a newspaper reporter, I told him about my night. The journalist commented matter of factly, "that must have been your ideal audience." His point was, at first, lost on me. Poets, most often, revel in preaching to the choir. I was just about to explain that my perfect crowd consisted of the people who cheered loudest for me. Then it dawned on me that, obviously, the perfect crowd would have to be those that would benefit most from the message rather than those who already agreed with it.

I began to feel guilty. Am I rock star or a poet? Do I seek out light or seek to inspire light in others? The interviewer mentioned that he would love to see me perform for a hip hop audience. I quipped, "why? so you could watch me dodge projectile beer bottles and sneakers?"

I don't wish to be irrelevant. It seems, to the extent to which I persist to perform for people who agree 100% with my ideas, I am voluntarily limiting my impact on the community.

A week ago, I spent the morning at a program for youthful offenders. A few of them, by their own admission, were involved in drugs. The program was populated by young men and women who wore mandatory ankle bracelets (that monitored their location) in the evening and were there awaiting hearings. In between sharing my thoughts on life, I performed a few poems, including "Market 4 Ni$$as." When I asked them to share their work with me, one young man did a poem about his drug career. I retorted with "Slave Trade." It's unclear what level of impact I had on them but there were certainly light bulbs present.

Like many poets, I've volunteered time to perform for prison inmates and elementary school students. Neither has been my preference. I've been encouraged when people bring youths to shows; though that usually means I have to alter my set, it also means I get the opportunity to possibly inspire a light bulb. It is becoming clearer to me that I need to put more effort into reaching those who would not otherwise hear me. I have been addicted to applause for a long time. Now, it is time that I also cultivate an addiction to inspiring light.

taalam acey

[N-word]s Don’t Exist (Do not read. This will haunt you.)

2008-11-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

No matter how badly you want to be a [N-word], you cannot. I know how much it means to some of us. Long before we were railroaded thru the injustice system, plagued by unequal education, subjected to poor healthcare, herded into housing projects, discriminated against in the workforce, demoralized, emasculated, lynched, maimed, castrated and mutilated. Long before we were indoctrinated, enslaved, raped, some of us tied to pliable trees that ripped us limb from limb, lynched, lashed until our flesh turned inside out, some of us having the fetuses sliced and snatched from wombs. Long, long, long before those things, we were shipped here, chained together for months with buckets of water used to splash away the perspiration, vomit, urine, feces, and blood we lay cramped in. It was there where ship captains like John Hawkins walked shin deep through the bellies of ships sloshing through our blood and inhaling the stench of our festering flesh and dead bodies as if it were fine cigar smoke. His ilk were no more disturbed by our desperate screams, moans and suffering than slaughter house workers are moved by the shrieks of future entrees. The reason is because slavers had already convinced themselves that WE were sub-human. John Hawkins, after all, was noble, a British Knight, in fact. Hell, he knew the queen (Elizabeth I). Yes, brethren, it had to be us who were out of reach of G*d's grace. Hawkins and his kind created an imaginary being to reason the righteousness of their barbarism and christened us that; [the N-word]. We, of course, emphatically disagreed. Us? Ignorant? During 700 years of Moorish rule it was many of us that taught them the very shipbuilding and navigation skills they used to transport us across Hades to their new haven. We had taught at and/or been educated at the university of Jenne, we were scholars, warriors, linguist, business men, craftsmen and master agriculturalist. We created Timbuktu (it lied in the very grounds they enslaved us in). We were not [N-word]s. Fortunately for Sir Hawkins, it didn't matter what we knew, he needed to believe that we were less than human in order to feel better about whatever he was.

We never cared that they referred to us as "Negro" or "Black." That is how we appeared to them. However, [the N-word] is not a mispronunciation of Negro (instead, Nee-grow is a mispronunciation of Nay-grow). [The N-word] is a blatant attempt at branding a sub-human race. But that race has only existed in the mind of the oppressor, at least until, as if in agreement, some of us began to allow that fictitious dehumanized race of people to exist in our heads too. But unlike the oppressor we didn't point the finger outward and say, "Naw, yall have been the most bloodthirsty, vicious 'superior people' that ever existed. Yall must be [N-word]s." Instead, many of us prefer to self-identify with the word and the concept. "No matter how much knowledge or money you accumulate you will still be one of those fictitious people!" Yeah, it makes sense to the oppressor, who needs to think of you as a [N-word] to justify your oppression as something other than inhumane; ordained even. However, how could you believe it too? You must surely know you are not that and could never be. Regardless of color, people are people.

At one point in our interaction with our oppressors, we began to refer to them as "Devils." Unlike us though, they never adopted the term; never embraced it. Besides, even if Bush and Cheney considered themselves devils, they still would not be. A young white lady once inquired of Malcolm, if there was something she could do to not be a devil. He later regretted telling her, "No." Like John Hawkins, people can exhibit sinister behavior, but they still never become devils, like we could never become [N-word]s. They imagined an entire group of beings that deserved to be treated even worse than their own commoners were treated in the era of the Black Plague. Not us; we didn't think it up. Nor can we spend our existence trying to ascertain through their conservative think-tanks what the complete concept of a [N-word] is so that we can please them by becoming more like it.

(PART 2)

A few weeks back I featured at a poetry slam where a talented young black man faced with three black judges and two white ones, did a poem about why we should continue to refer to ourselves as [N-word]s and how he was so upset that some of us felt we should not be called that. How dare we! The judges gave him 9.9's across the board. I'm sure all were smiling but the smiles of the two white judges, innocent as they may have been, upset me.

The current argument that I hear more and more is, with all of the racial injustice, the unnecessary wars, the problems with healthcare and education, how could you care about a word? "Yo! I know there's a dog attacking an elderly woman right in front of you, but how can you worry about that now when the daycare down the street is on fire?" Naw, homey, we've got to worry about it all. Let's split up. It's ALL important. We cannot allow the burning daycare to be an excuse for letting that dog claim another victim. And ay, Paul Revere, why do you even have time to tell me to stop helping her, shouldn't you be down the street? Helping?

But why should I even explain the logic, that argument is only a smokescreen anyway. The person making it is attached to [the N-word] and fighting harder than her/his oppressor to keep it. Many black people have identified with it so long that they fear they would lose their only identity without it. "If I'm not a [N-word] what would I be?" I don't know...I guess a man or a woman? "But then, if you call me that, I won't be able to make sense of why I'm treated so unfairly by society." Yeah, exactly!

Oddly enough, now that racists have largely stopped calling us [the N-word] (not that they've all stopped imagining us as that and thus using it privately and internally), we have begun to identify with their fantasy sub-human more and more. Carter G Woodson, founder of what has become Black History Month, said, "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."

This is exactly why I would not advocate banning the word. If it were illegal, black people would be fined, prosecuted and jailed almost exclusively! A new era would be ushered in that would dwarf racial profiling as the number one means of keeping black people in the legal system. So many of us are absolutely compelled to say and identify with [the N-word] that you cannot help but see the irony in a system of racist media that works thru music, magazines, movies and news to convince black people that we are [N-words], just for the benefit of turning those of us who embrace their brainwashing, into fodder for the prison industrial complex (i.e., neo-slavery). Wait a minute, that sounds like today! I wouldn't want to see the word banned. I just want you to see that it's use is self-defeating neuro-linguistic programming.

If the oppressor needs to think of you as a [N-word] to "justify" his injustice, then your volunteering to consider yourself a [N-word] makes it easier and works to the oppressor's benefit. You both get to play pretend, the oppressor gets a clear conscience and in return you get to keep your [expletive deleted] eyes closed.

At that poetry slam, no racist white person (not saying there was one there) needed to convince the black people that we are [N-word]s, nah there was a young brother who couldn't wait to do the convincing for them.

Honestly, I talked to the young brother the following night and found him to be intelligent and sincere. But, like, WTF? "Let's agree to disagree," as a rap mogul told me once (actually twice) when I refused to stop pushing the subject. I recently read a magazine where another rap mogul commented that he would stop using [the N-word] immediately if you could promise him that the hood would get better. Hmmm...feels kind of like, no matter how rich I become, I know how to stay in my 'proper place.' It was pointed out to me that trying to convince rich rappers to stop using [the N-word] is nearly pointless anyway. After all, what one word has brought them more money?

Oh there have been so many of these words. Latino's have been the S-word, Chinese have been another C-word, Christians have been the I-word, Muslims have been the T-word, Vietnamese have been the G-word, Jews have been the K-word and so on and so forth. But it's only the targets of the [N-world] who seem to REALLY want to make it work.

So if Muslim Fundamentalists made up the dominant consumer culture and likewise controlled the media, they might favor Christian rappers who were willing to refer to themselves as infidels (you know, in a counterculture, underdog kind of way). The Muslim kids who made up much of the consumer class would not be inclined to support Christian rappers who did not validate their street cred by referring to themselves and their kind as infidels. Then in interviews the Christian rappers would spit propaganda like, "Yo, keep it real! There's so many other things to worry about than Muslims calling us infidels!"

Interviewer: "Yeah but I'm asking why you refer to your own people as infidels."

Rapper: "Well when Muslims stop treating us like infidels I'll stop using the word."

Interviewer: "Uhm...yeah...commercial break please!"

(PART 3)

So my friend is trying to show me how there were instances of phonetic equivalents of [the N-word] (with positive meanings) in ancient Africa and I'm distraught thinking, "So Black people are really doing hella linguistic research, desperate to justify the continued use of [the N-word]? Are there positive words phonetically similar to the word "Cracker" in ancient Macedonian? Oh my bad we should solely stick to finding positive reasoning for the racial slurs that apply to us? Oh...gotcha!" So, then uhm, if our research unveils that the B-word sounds phonetically identical to a dynasty of queens in ancient Bornu, would it make it ok to begin conveying that title on our mothers? Easy, homey, I'm just asking.

I'm not holier than thou. Before I became an adult I used [the N-word] as much as anyone else. I used it much less in my twenties. Since then I've used it very rarely, and generally when I do, I'm certainly referring to someone exhibiting some real exceptional ignorance. It bothers me that people attempt to use it lovingly. It kills me when people use it to address their children. Why draw the line at referring to your children as ignorant? might as well go on ahead and call them failure.

What is a [N-word] capable of? Is it's capacity limited by the imaginations of the racists who created the concept? The idea that "people are people" doesn't seem to make sense in a world where a group of people voluntarily associate themselves with a concept created by those that completely despise them. Marcus Garvey said, "Whatsoever man has done; Man can do." ALL PEOPLE ARE LIMITLESS. How could we allow ourselves to live within the parameters of another man's imagination? Every woman and man in this existence is made up of the same energy force. You are a product of The Creator. You are what you think you are, not what other people imagine you to be. A group of people created the concept of a [N-word], if they want to become it, that's their prerogative, but they cannot force you to conform to being a [N-word] so that they may imagine themselves superior. Your attempt to re-create yourself in the image another man wishes you to be seems ungodly. You were made, not by another man, but in the image of your Creator, and face it, your Creator never was, nor never will be a [N-word]. I hope you will own that fact, because we can never truly understand, own nor become a [N-word]; some ridiculous creation of other people's minds.

Taalam Acey - December 2007

This Will Change Poet’s Lives (But They Won’t Like It)

2008-11-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

"To excel in any profession, in which but a few arrive at mediocrity, is the most decisive mark of what is called genius or superior talents. The public admiration which attends upon such distinguished abilities, makes always a part of their reward; a greater or smaller portion as it is higher or lower in degree. It makes a considerable part of that reward in the profession of [medicine]; a still greater perhaps in that of law; in poetry...it makes almost the whole.

There are some very agreeable and beautiful talents of which the possession commands a certain sort of admiration; but of which the exercise for the sake of gain is considered, whether from reason or prejudice, as a sort of public prostitution. The pecuniary recompence [sic] therefore, of those who exercise them in this manner, must be sufficient, not only to pay for the time, labour [sic], and expence [sic] of acquiring the talents, but for the discredit which attends them as the means of subsistence...It seems absurd at first sight that we should despise their persons, and yet reward their talents with the most profuse liberality."
-Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations. 1776

The other day, while in a small Midwest town, I had the privilege of hearing an extremely talented young poet. He read with a conviction perfectly suited for his voracious sincerity. Nevertheless, what struck me most was the unfortunate focus of his ranting; in his poem, he was disgusted not by those things one might expect. Instead he was scornful of the idea of people earning a living from, of all things, poetry.

I attempted, as best I could, to follow the meandering logic. He suggested that since poetry was for the community, it should, therefore, not be sold. My initial reaction was that this was convenient logic for someone who made their living in some other sector. I toyed with the idea of trying to convince social workers, teachers or police officers that since their professions are intended for the betterment of society, the appropriate thing for them to do is donate their time. I'm SURE that would go over well. By this very logic, the young man's religious leader should be forbidden to earn a living from the word. Instead, he ought be expected to roam the streets until sermon time, at which point the sincerity of his message should be measured by the size of the holes in his sole(s).

Assuming that the young poet was employed at something he felt passionate about, I wondered why he hadn't reached the epiphany to volunteer HIS time; perhaps, donate every cent of his earnings to his favorite charity. That display of selflessness would certainly contribute weight to his argument.

Please pardon my tone, I was NOT upset with him (though having a poet lecture indignantly about the evils of earning money from poetry is hardly the best thing for CD and book sales). Instead, I was surprised he thought that way.

Anyone who serves the community should, when feasible, be rewarded. No sane person has ever endeavored to do poetry because of the unbridled profit potential. No one who does poetry strictly for profit will do it for long. First off, much like the Blues, you can be fake AND entertaining, but you CANNOT be fake AND moving. Thus, the poet's ability to earn is directly proportionate to her/his ability to dig deep and deliver that which the people intrinsically realize they NEED to hear more of; AND need enough to pay market for. Secondly, by the grace of The Creator, I have had great success at this, but I have also known what it's like to skip a couple of days of meals/sleep and also what it is to walk the streets of Chicago's South Side, NYC and South Central LA all night (w/worn shoes & heavy bags); awaiting the dawn. And believe me, I understand that since homelessness/starvation aren't prominently featured in the "Becoming A Successful Spoken Word Artist Iz E-Z" brochures, some would-be poets are chronically ignorant of such hardships.

No one is surprised that respected actors earn huge sums from the movies in which they star. No one finds it odd that their favorite performer earns plenty for a concert. Yet, the idea that popular poets go unpaid while venue owners, promoters, hosts, DJs, band members, bartenders, wait staff, dishwashers, maintenance personnel and parking attendants make money at a POETRY show seems appropriate to most.

Further, money invested in your favorite Spoken Word artist has tons of benefits. When you purchase a message that moves you, the availability of the message you support increases. Your money is reinvested and the message becomes available to more people in the community. Plus, since poetry is bona fide art, the monetary value of it increases. Additionally, portions of your investment into poets, don't generally turn into unwarranted profits for jewelers and luxury car dealers, but, instead, get put back into the community. Most important, Spoken Word is timeless. You will appreciate your investment in what we represent, FOREVER.

So I ask...if you happen to run into a young poet talking about how the artists who give more than most deserve the least, please tell him there's a poet you love named Taalam Acey. If he still doesn't get it, please clear your throat and tell the young man, in your most audible tone, "there is A MARKET 4 CHANGE!!"

-Taalam Acey

re: the election, this is prime

2008-11-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

This may anger some, but I have little faith in politicians. I believe a certain type of person becomes a career politician in the same way a certain type of person becomes a cop. There's no doubt in my mind that some people become one or the other because of a profound interest in helping people. What they eventually become over time, if only to succeed in those professions, may be something far more callous and calculating.

I don't worry so much about who people will vote for. That's definitely their business. As your friend, I just wish to suggest to you that after and before you vote, please remember that what your candidate can accomplish for you may prove significant, but it is still nowhere near what you can accomplish for yourself.

The point of this is not to mock the election process or any of the candidates. It is only to implore you not to invest more into the political system's ability to improve your life than you do in your ability to improve it yourself. You, above all, control your destiny unless, of course, you fall asleep at the wheel believing that it is mostly in someone else's hands.

So vote by all means, but don't think of it as a substitute for what you can do to improve your good fortune. Nor should you allow yourself to believe that you have to wait til Bush leaves office to begin improving your life. Nope, you can start that right now. You are the master of your domain. No matter who wins or loses the election, your ultimate success remains in your hands.

respectfully,

-taalam

The Congressional Panel That Sparked Those N-Word Blogs

2008-11-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

Below is the video link to the Young Gifted and Black Panel (Sept 2007) for the Congressional Black Caucus in which I was a participant. It was hosted by the Honorable Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The panel included Russell Simmons, Michael Baisden, Hill Harper, the Honorable Congresswoman Laura Richardson and others. I just watched it with amazement and think you may really dig what was said. I had begun to think you would never get to see this. Please take a look:

http://www.broadcasturban.net/webcast/cbcf2007/fri_ygb.htm

Lessons Learned In Jamaica

2008-11-07T07:29:00.000-08:00

1. Rent-a-Rasta is a real phenomenon

I would like to acknowledge that a friend expressed some displeasure about my alluding, in the previous blog, about the Rent-a-Rasta phenomenon. It's not of my making though, and the fact that it mainly involves older white women and young black men is simply what I observed. I haven't passed judgment. No, I didn't see older black women with young men (of any color) down there. It is what it is (though I saw a super fine older Rasta lady that need not have paid me a dime...but I digress). Nor is it for me to say that all the young men were with them decrepit chicks for financial gain, though in a couple of instances, I couldn't help but think, "Dude! You know you're tongue kissing somebody's great grandmother, right?"

One lady outdid all others though. Most women had men that looked more like Li'l Wayne than, say, Taye Diggs (it seemed that it was less about the faces than the skin color and locks). However, one middle aged, average looking woman had a dude that looked like Denzel with partially gray hair but on horse steroids (think Mr. Universe). I had to stop myself from thinking, "Yo this cat must be booked up for the next 3 years" or "Man, How much is SHE paying?" Because, to be honest, who knows, they may have been an actual couple. And, really and truly, me no care.

Still if I were on a honeymoon or even just a romantic vacation, it would bother me that cats were trying to holler at whatever woman I was with, whenever I wasn't looking. A few cat's were acting like they were horny on E injections or something. I saw one young man (who happened to be small talking with me at the time) try to holler at a woman who'd just stepped out of the honeymoon suite. Embarrassing.

2. Some People Just Don't Get It

I went to the restaurant for dinner and sat down at the bar next to an old, Nick Nolte looking white dude and a tall, lanky, dark-skinned dred. After I ordered a drink and requested a menu, I started overhearing their conversation. The white dude was prodding the dred by telling him, "I'm an American, I've got all the money I want and I can buy anything I feel like in your country; and tomorrow, if I choose. what $80,000? $120,000? Nothing!" Though he was clearly drunk, he was also clearly ignorant. The dred was somewhat upset by this and yet quite reserved. The guy kept peppering his outlandish statements with, "What? I can say whatever I want." I imagined the dred either desperately wanted to stay in good graces with someone who might buy him a drink or that the quality of his weed was raw uncut heroin grade. Before long the white dude announced, "I don't like blacks. We don't have'em where I live in Maine. All they do is sit around anyway, don't work and have kids that us hard working Americans have to pay for. I wish blacks would just stop having kids." The dred was undeterred. I, on the other hand, began to wonder if this waste of 3 trimesters was trying to get a rise out of me. I was almost sure of it when he told the dred, "I hate blacks, but you're not a [sounded like he used the N-word]...Jamaicans are different than blacks. You guys work hard." The dred agreed and began to wax on in a drunken mumble about the differences. I decided it would be healthy to remove my beer and myself from the bar and sit at a table. They continued talking and laughing like bar pals while I sat slightly out of earshot. Sometime after my dinner was served, the dred got up and walked toward the back where there was a view of the beach. A couple of young black waitress began laughing, i assumed, at something unrelated. Still, the dude demanded in a loud, slow drunken drawl, "what's so funny?" When they shot him a confused look, he pointed to where the dred was standing and said, "Oh. You must be laughing at the clown." My only thought was, "D*mn, I thought they'd bonded."

When I finished my meal and paid, I noticed a young brown skinned black woman with a body and poom poom shorts that looked like she'd minutes ago left the set of a dance hall video, sauntering up the steps. I already knew what was about to happen. Sadly, it didn't seem the dred did. He stopped in his tracks with his mouth agape and did everything he could to get her attention, though he was clearly completely invisible to her. I, not being in the satisfaction business, acted as though she were invisible to me. She, seemingly being in the satisfaction business, went directly over to the old white dude, addressed him as "daddy" and began rubbing his back and whispering in his ear. The dred, noticeably in the business of satisfying egos, stared then began to leave, and yet, turned back around and walked back near his bar stool and stared at the young lady, while she stared at the white dude and that's just where I left those three.

3. Have Low Expectations When Eating at Jamaican Resorts

I thought I was about to have the Caribbean culinary experience of my palate's wet dreams. I expected to eat food that put "Ackee Bamboo" in LA and "Negril" in DC/NY to shame. Instead, I constantly ended up with bland ass facsimiles of Caribbean food, clearly designed for spice and flavor hating tourist. I rarely ever put salt and pepper on food after it's cooked. However, in both resorts I ate in, I contemplated taking the caps off of them. Perhaps tourists unfavorably report resort food with flavor to travel blogs.

What might even be worse is that the food cost twice as much as it did at Caribbean spots in the US. There was a dude about a half mile down the road from the resort cooking food on a barbeque grill and selling plates. I was told he had what I really wanted as I gazed at him in the distance. Unfortunately, he was strictly goat and chicken, and I eat neither.

4. Weed is Not Legal

As much as people associate weed with Jamaica, I figured it had to be legal there. Wrong. I'm told they allow it to grow legally on Peter Tosh's estate, but nowhere else. I'm no big fan of it anyway. I certainly don't buy it. If I smoke, it's usually out of sympathy so that some friend or acquaintance doesn't have to smoke alone. But I doubt that I'd even care much, personally, if it disappeared off the face of the earth tomorrow (except, of course, for the few of my friends who smoke it from the early morn to the early morn and who, possibly, in such an event would require 24-hour suicide or maybe homicide watch). So Jamaica, in that regard, is no Netherlands or even a Vancouver (where you can smoke it but not sell it. wild huh?) It's more like The Yay (SF Bay) area. The difference being people in The Yay don't tend to sit in a poetry show or IN A RESTUARANT and nonchalantly spark up a fatty, especially not without expecting at least one second-hand smoker to raise an eyebrow. Go Jamaica.

5. Lessons Learned From Muta Baruka

Muta Baruka, the legendary Jamaican poet, was a joy to watch. I did a set not much longer then, say, 20 minutes. My thinking was that the listeners were too hot & humid to listen to someone with an American accent and a somewhat quick tongue do but too much of his work. I imagined they were ready to leave, although they were clearly enjoying me and there were many other poems I could've easily done. It wasn't until after his nearly hour long (quite captivating) set that I realized that people may have liked me to do more than I had. This is instructive, because in most cases, I perform much shorter sets than I can or even want to, because I assume the crowd is tired (or that I should leave them wanting more). He on the other hand didn't seem to worry about such trivia. Instead, Mr. Baruka inspired me by sharing equal amounts of poems and musings until HE felt like he had given what was optimal.

The other lesson was about being judgmental. I flirted with the idea of being more opinionated in my future musings because it seemed to have worked so well for him. He passed judgement on the existence of satan (which i don't believe in, myself, by the way) and the existence of G*d (which, far to the contrary, I not only believe in, but find impossible to question). He also passed judgement on carnivores, being that he doesn't eat anything that does not grow naturally from the earth; even fish, he said, is filled with discarded waste. He had us all laughing at the observation that you should not have to chase down your food to eat it.

Still, for my part, I don't like to pass judgment on the next man's or woman's religious beliefs, lifestyle or eating habits. I just don't care. You believe that so-and-so is G*d? Fine. I ain't gotta worship'em. You have a gay lover? Fine. I ain't gotta kiss'em. You eat pig's ass. Fine. I ain't gotta taste it. In fact, I've been a pescetarian (like a vegetarian but w/fish and dairy) since 1988. But if you're over my house and you want a burger or some chicken, i'll even cook it for you. What do I care. I've cooked sundry meats for my daughters. I'm a pescetarian. They are not.

I say none of this to fault or be disrespectful to Mr. Baruka. I'm saying that we differ on this point. I ain't trying to convince anyone to adopt my eating habits, spiritual beliefs or flaming heterosexuality. Do...you. I barely find the time to manage my day-to-day. The time to help you critique your life choices escapes me at the moment. I don't even care what you smoke, drink, sniff or pop to the extent that you aren't endangering others, neglecting your loved ones or spiraling downward. I respect my friends who sniff C and have been upwardly mobile for years, taking care of their familys' and rising to nearly every occasion, far more than I do someone who doesn't smoke, drink or do drugs, but also isn't there for their family or is hateful and/or verbally abusive. I'm fond of hard drink. Do I care if you are? Hellz No. Me, my fifth, my hotel room and my crossword puzzles are quite self contained. In fact, if i'm drinking and you don't want any, I might even like you more. Judge me, but one of my favorite quotes is something like "your life doesn't get longer because you don't smoke or drink, it just seems longer."

My non-alcoholic beverage of choice is plain water and I'm friendly with garden salads. Would it upset me if you like neither. Not on your life! Neither junk food or fst food appeal to me. I stay away from sweets and rarely eat fried foods. Do I care if you do? Nope, not even slightly. I haven't had a soda since 1987, do i care if you drink it? Not-atall, I buy soda for people all the time. I encourage you not to measure yourself by my or anyone else's yardstick. No one has all the answers, so make your on d*mn tests.

Now, I WILL judge you on your judgment. I like to critique, to the best of my ability, people's financial, educational, occupational, leadership and friendship choices and every other decision that determines their quality of life, always with my favorite thought being, "Hmmm...so how's that working out for you?"

When it's all said and done you can do whatever. I'm one guy that just doesn't pay much attention to that which does not affect him. Think of me as only having one question of you, the same one T.I. had at the end of "Why You Wanna," namely, "Is You Happy?"

-taalam acey

on a plane somewhere between B'more & Austin, TX

09-04-08

Safely In Jamaica (aka Water World)

2008-11-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, I checked into a hotel in Chicago and thought I could create the perfect bar. Today it's Friday again. I'm in a bungalow in Negril, Jamaica and I feel like I'm starring in the Perfect Storm.

I started to write a quick blog last Friday about my return to Chicago and how my hotel experience was a bit different that time. There wasn't much to say though. I stayed at the Crowne Plaza (not a luxury hotel like the last one, but definitely nice. My usual level, I guess) in Greektown on Madison and Halsted. The most interesting happening was a dude trying to convince me, near the hotel, that what I really wanted to do was talk to an older gentleman, across the street, standing next to a Rolls Royce about how I can increase my income by a thousand dollars a week (or something). The guy handed me a flyer that had a picture of the same old dude, leaning on the same Rolls Royce with the "As Seen On TV" graphic on it. Nothing about that situation interested me accept to hope that they weren't scamming hardworking people out of what little money they had in the middle of this unofficial recession. I also wondered if they took turns handing out flyers...like, do they each get a day to post up by the Rolls?

The Crowne Plaza was elegant enough. There was no "private bar," but there was a Dominick's, a huge supermarket, across the street that sold ample supplies with which I put my own bar together; Corona, Jameson, Stoli, etc. This time there was no gander of the Chicago River, but the room had a balcony with a beautiful view of the Sears Tower. The best part was that it turned out to be five blocks from the venue I did on Saturday night. I couldn't have planned it better. I thought Ear Candy was still on the South Side. Instead, they've moved right across from Oprah Winfrey's Harpo studios. I enjoyed it the same, just as I enjoyed Da Book Joint set, the night before, which boasted some of my favorite poets. After Ear Candy, I was telling someone how happy I was that my hotel was in walking distance and she was like, "Oh I'll give you a ride." Apparently we were having two different conversations.

On Sunday, I flew to Indianapolis for a set at Midtown; another really enjoyable venue. While there, I stayed in a hotel that used to be the main train station. It had statues of passengers heading to and from trains and even housed the trains themselves. A few people were also staying in rooms inside of the train cars. The only drawback was it was easy to get lost in there. I was barely learning how to find my way from the room to the lobby (and vice versa) by the time I had to check out.

I flew to Tampa on Monday and hung out with my boy LIFE and his cousin Big Walt (there are no two people more fun to hang out with) until the show Tuesday night. Pajama Poetry Night was well attended, as always; packed with beautiful people and the show was tight. The only drawback was that no one thought to turn the air on until just before the doors opened, so it was kind of warm in the early part of the show. I'm still sure everyone was glad they came, by night's end.

On Wednesday I performed at the C & N Café in West Palm Beach. It was clear that the promoter was hoping for a few more people, but it was perfect to me. I climbed on and off the stage (something I rarely do), broke my watch during a piece and did everything I could to help make it memorable. The most hilarious part of the night, though, was when a young lady asked to take a picture with me and then insisted that the only place with enough light to take the picture was the Ladies Room. lol!

Yesterday, I flew to Jamaica out of Miami. My original flight on Air Jamaica was cancelled. Later, all Air Jamaica flights were cancelled. I told them I would just come back to the airport the next day, but instead they switched me to American Airlines. The good news is the flight went straight to Montego Bay, versus my original itinerary which had a connection in Kingston. When I landed, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to use my phone here. Some people in the customs line with me suggested that I switch it to roaming, which I did and learned that for the low-low price of a half pint of blood per minute, I can make and receive phone calls.

The rooms, themselves, are situated in 2-story white Bungalows with royal blue trim and roofs designed to look like thatch. They have porches. Some with hammock like chairs, my porch just has patio furniture. My room has two large windows with elaborate curtains (i.e. green and white shams, with multiple layers of white curtains; some thick and some sheer). The furniture is cabana style and painted pale pink. It includes a dresser, a vanity stool, an end table, a TV stand (for some reason the TV and the air conditioner cut off every 30 minutes or so as if to see if I'm still paying attention) and a table with two chairs. The door and window frames and shutters are all wooden and stained to look like walnut. The floor is made up of large beige and brown, marble patterned tiles. The bathroom is in the European style, in that there's no tub, instead ¼ of it is tiled off for showers. There's thick foliage and fauna throughout the resort and all kinds of pathways between the bungalows. The resort is called the Negril Tree House and is right on the beach. I went to the bar on the beach last night, but never got near the water. When I returned to the room, I watched a part of Senator Obama's speech and woke up thinking it was nearly sunrise, but instead it wasn't even 2am. I walked out toward the water, but the waves seemed capable of snatching my dumb-ass into the ocean, never to be heard from again. Well…other than on recordings…Today, I'm assuming they won't be opening the bar on the beach, since they moved hella crates and buckets full of liquor bottles into the restaurant above the lobby. It took five or six people something like 20 minutes to do it.

I have no real complaints so far. However, the bad news is not many other people were able to make it down to Jamaica due to Hurricane Gustav. So between all of the flight cancellations and the torrential wind and rain, we can only hope that there will still be a show. The legendary Muta Baruka is scheduled to feature also. In the very least, it will be an honor to meet him.

I've been well taken care of since I landed. My ride from Montego Bay to Negril was Marlon, a fast talking hustler-type, but real kool cat, who made me feel at ease from jump. Also, since I arrived in the resort, the promoter has made sure that I'm comfortable. She asked me at breakfast this morning, "Will you have time to rest when you get back to the States." I was thinking she must be incredibly optimistic (if not delusional) in thinking anyone even knows what day I'll be able to fly out of Jamaica. Ha!

I'm told that the promoter and her assistant's room started raining. Oddly, it's not raining in my room. Yet, the tide seems to be rising on my floor. I can't imagine how or why. I'll refrain from asking to be moved until it gets unbearable, cause I dig the room and don't feel like the hassle.

Update: The promoter has since found out about my room situation when she delivered water and other supplies to my room and forced me to move when she saw that how the water was an inch high on the floor. Now I'm in a dry room that has a hammock chair and a full hammock outside. J

I'm staring at the cover of the "Official visitor magazine of the Jamaica hotel & resort association called "Destination Jamaica" on the covers there's a white couple hugged up and smiling on a boat powered by a shirtless black man. I've also gotten to see young black dudes hanging out with old white tourist women since I've been here. Heard a lot about that, but never saw it for myself. Hardcore, if not enterprising.

Expanses of the grass outside my door have become small ponds. It's interesting watching various people from housekeeping and room service slosh through water to do their jobs. I haven't seen fit to wear anything other than t-shirts, swimming trunks and flip-flops since I've been here. So far, the only real danger appears to busting my *ss in these flip-flops. When things get this wet, walking in flip flops becomes an art.

There's a dude named, Ali, I haven't seen since we attended High School together, who came down for the show. We just had one of the best hip hop conversations I've had in a long time. We discussed Dimples D, MC Chan, EPMD, Kool G Rap and then rapped lyrics from KRS-One, Canibus, LL, Mobb Deep, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane…on and on. Picture us walking from breakfast this morning, with him asking me how many poems I planned to perform, while the wind is howling in quadraphonic audio, the rain is incessantly smacking us in the face and small tree branches continue to dive onto the walkways. I'm only hoping the weather will allow for a show. I answered, "I'll do as many pieces as it takes for the people who attend to feel like it was worthwhile."

-taalam acey

August 29, 2008

Negril, Jamaica

Waiting For An Unwanted Knock On The Door

2008-11-07T07:27:00.001-08:00

There have been a few Faux Pas since my blog yesterday.
Here are the top 5.

5 After I sent out the last blog I noticed I missed a few salient details: the fourth wall of the room, overlooking the Chicago River, is basically all glass from floor to ceiling and the opposite wall is mirrored. I presume, it's so I can get my vertigo on. Also the entire hallway isn't mahogany. Parts are done in this eye drawing, sparkling gold wallpaper.

4 In my ignorance, I thought the door underneath the bar was a safe. Imagine my confusion when I later ran into the actual safe. So, this caused me to open the door beneath what i thought was the private bar and realized that the REAL private bar was in there (multiple varieties of beer, scotch, bourbon, etc.) and the stuff I spoke of on top of the desk are apparently just the embellishments. d*mn.

3 A friend teased that, after my performance, I might bring someone back to the room and sounded to me like she had to be speaking Greek. My only thought was "Even if I wanted to bring a stranger here, What would I do for an encore? The F'n Opera?" Hell...how would I even get them to leave? The whole time, it would be, like, "our" room instead of "MY" room.Hell-to-the-naw!!

2 After the show last night, I was invited to hang out with a homey who was headed to an after hours spot.The conversation went like this:

Homie: I'm going to this sick after hours spot.you tryna hang? (*with a rhetorical inflection*)
Me: Uhm. Naw dawg.I'm going straight to my room
Homie: (*ignoring me*)this spot I'm talking about is crazy. Can't explain it.Just crazy!
Me: Uhm. Naw. maybe next time. I need to get back to my room.
Homie: Why you in a rush.Somebody meetin you there?
Me: (*shaking my head*) naw un uh
Homie: Why don't I call some girls I know and we can hang at your room.
Me: Yeaaahuhm, have fun at that After Hours spot man. Kick'it'witcha Later.

1 I returned to the hotel at the end of the night, feeling anticipative as hell as I approached, and asked the gentleman at the front desk where I could locate the vending machine.He frowned up and immediately shot me a look that said, either:

a.What the hell is a vending machine?
b. Look at this Lobby and tell me why you think WE have a "vending machine"...HERE?
c.Are you sure you're not staying at the Hilton or the Sheraton around the corner, uh, Sir?
d.all of the above

All this aside, the funniest moment of last night for me was at the show. The odd thing is I don't think most people really caught the humor. It started after I performed. One of the people who approached me said I reminded him of himself. I took him to mean performance-wise, but then he went so far as to also compare our physical characteristics. Later, he performed on the open mic and played the piano, lounge singer-like, as he introduced his song. Within the intro he announced to the crowd that he felt he and "Taalam Acey" had a similar energy and his very next statement was "So I wrote this next piece about my battles with homosexual feelings." WTF?!?! Yet, even with my jaw hanging on the floor, I had to laugh. In case you were wondering, dude was dead serious though. He performed a whole song about it.

Enjoy Your Week!

-taalam acey
chicago, il
08-11-08

Waiting For An Unwanted Knock On The Door

2008-11-07T07:26:00.001-08:00

I ain't one to brag (ok, maybe a little...yet always only for effect) but I I've gotta share this one. Also, if you find yourself hating me before you finish this, remember it's not my fault...all I do is write/right poems I completely believe in and follow my heart and principles.
:)

So here it is...I just checked into 1 of the 3 sickest rooms I ever stayed in. Plus, don't get me wrong, I'm the LEAST materialistic person you know. Seriously, the only material things that excite me are canvassing unforgettable meals, imbibing fine fluids and absorbing artful hotel rooms. In fact if you own "Troubled Soul Refinery" refer to the essay, "Couches & Motels" - remember the 2 floor suite with the geranium and full Jacuzzi or that crazy hook up in Rotterdam? Yeah debaucherous).
Alright, then dig:

I just arrived in Chi. And this particular room isn't of my own design (which makes it all the better)...just a hella good look.

There's a multimedia studio on the 6th floor with a complimentary guest lounge. Swimming pool? Spa? I'm sure but wait, you're setting your sights too low. focus wit'me. I stepped out to the 15th floor into a dimly lit hallway a'la Scorsese with rich brown and beige speckled carpet abutted by deep, dark mahogany walls (cruise ship-like). The room itself sports a snake skinned lounge chair with a rich leather throw pillow (yeah, I said SNAKE SKINNED lounge chair; scales and all. focused now?) The wall board (complete w/full sized HD plasma), desk, end tables and closet: Teak. The headboard: ten feet of padded and intricately embossed, smoked green colored leather. The shower's head is bigger than my own (always a nice touch). Marble bathroom top. The desk holds a "Private Bar" with Grey Goose, Silver Patron et al (plus almond stuffed Manzanilla olives - ya'know, if you're into that sort of thing. lol!).Oh and there's no comforter on the bed, instead just layered teal silken fabric. And, there is a gorgeous view of the Chicago River.

I'm sure there's more here I haven't taken in but I'm suddenly distracted by two things:

1: I had to talk about this. If only to record and share a good moment.

2: I can't stop expecting AL PACINO TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

bless you all,
-taalam acey
(hella thankful)
chicago, il 08-10-08

Notes On Obama and The Politics of A Republic

2008-11-07T07:23:00.000-08:00

The other day, someone I do not know well, a My Space friend in fact, asked me how I feel about Obama. The truth is I'd rather not speak on him, if only because I know a completely honest discourse is unlikely as he is an extremely emotional subject for some. I'm still a bit surprised that Tavis Smiley's fans and friends, the people that have supported him (and vice versa), for many long years before the majority had even heard of Obama, have somewhat ostracized him because of a simple difference of opinion. Any critique of Senator Obama, regardless of how rational it may be, has become dangerous in many, previously durable, circles. Thus I'm tempted to offer an unqualified response of, "Go Obama!," leaving it at that seems most healthy.

At the outset, let me admit that even if someone (be they black, white or purple) voted for him primarily because of his color, I believe it is their right. The Senator himself acknowledged that many will vote for him simply for that reason. By extension, many will vote for McCain/Palin solely due to their race/gender. Who am I to stand on a high horse? Once, I stopped buying Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren to support Sean John and Rocawear, and it should be mentioned that this was notwithstanding the fact that neither Sean Combs nor Shawn Carter ever did anything that convinced me they cared more for my community (or social class) than any other multi-millionaire designer. Still, if someone has to win, I prefer it be the person who reminds me most of myself and/or my background.

I would love to see Senator Obama win. Senator McCain does not appear completely venal (as I would argue George W. Bush is, but that's another essay, entirely), but he IS out of touch in my opinion. Senator Obama's machine and charisma are both amazingly fine tuned for the digital era. His policies are not identical to my own, but then if they were, he would be far from electable. Suffice it to say that the policies he espouses are much more similar to my beliefs, and Senator McCain's policies on the economy and the War on Terror (among others) seem quite absurd.

Still, while most are energized and inspired by Senator Obama, I am neither (except to the extent that his presence has encouraged young men and women of low means to further believe in themselves and consider their own possibility of success in more prestigious arenas than sports and entertainment). I repeat, "I would love for him to win," but nevertheless, the sentiment he brings out of me most, is worry. This is not because I doubt his sincerity. Honestly, it's simply because he's a politician.

Paul Nadler, one of my graduate professors, was fond of off-color jokes. Other students considered him a racist, a sexist or worse. He was a well-off gentleman and elder statesman, who took us on a tour of the New York Stock Exchange, Wall St. brokerages and the Commodities Exchange in the World Trade Center. Everywhere we went, they knew him well. He invited us to his gorgeous home for dinner (and played piano tunes, among other things) and even saw fit to write an editorial about yours truly in the prestigious "American Banker." I considered him sagacious, but, like McCain, from another time. Anecdotally, Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, was one of his ex-students and Paul Volcker the previous chairman was a family friend. One of Nadler's quip many of us considered sexist, was the question, "What's the difference between a lady and a politician?" We, of course, having no idea just stared at him and braced ourselves for the worst. His reply was:

When a lady says, "No," she means, "Maybe." (we know that "No means NO!)
When she says, "Maybe" she means, "Yes."
And, when she says "Yes," she's no lady.

When a politician says, "Yes," he means "Maybe."
When he says, "Maybe," he means, "No."
And, when he says, "No," he's no politician.

I'm not intimating that there is something innately dishonest about politicians. Still, it should be pointed out that a certain type of person becomes a politician, just as a certain type of person becomes a police officer.

I've been aware of the junior Senator from Illinois longer than most people like myself, who are from outside of the state. When I first heard of him, he was a State Senator. Unlike most today, whose attachment to him appears to be primarily emotional, my interest in him has always been closer to that of a spectator watching an in intriguing chess game. My refrain while observing many of his opportunities and moves was always, "Hmmm this is interesting," such as:

1. When multi-millionaire Peter Fitzgerald, the first Republican to win a senate race in Illinois in 20 years, succeeded African American Senator Carol Mosley Braun (beating her by less than 3% of the vote, even with the allegations of corruption that surrounded her) and ended up making enemies of nearly every Republican leader in the state by going against them .. votes, then staunchly investigating corruption leading to, among other things, the indictment of Governor George Ryan. Likewise, Fitzgerald resigned after just one term.

2. When, mega multi-millionaire Jack Ryan (no relation to indicted Governor George Ryan), all but made an Obama US Senate win certain (just a few years after Obama lost a bid for the lower house of the US Congress in 2000 to four-term incumbent, Illinois Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Rush by a margin of two-to-one) by running a strong campaign and then having to drop out because of issues surrounding the "sealed" records of his divorce from "Boston Public" actress Jeri Ryan; not the least of which being his ex-wife's allegations that Ryan forced her to go to (and participate in acts at) sex clubs. I was living in Chicago when he withdrew by proclaiming, ""It's clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race." By that point, Ryan (with no prior background in politics) had injected $3 million of his own money into the race and scoffed at the Republican leadership's position that, if he poured a lot more money into the campaign, he might still have a shot.

3. When, three short months before the election, the best idea that the Illinois Republican party could come up with, was to recruit Alan Keyes, Maryland's black conservative, to carpetbag to Chicago and run against Obama in the 11th hour. In fact, though the Republican leadership thought it best that Ryan resign (apparently worried, that he would bring down the other Republicans seeking seats that term), it seems they were in such dire straits after the Jack Ryan scandal broke, that they considered trying to get Peter Fitzgerald back. No other viable Republican, including the ones that lost to Ryan in the primary, seemed excited about running in his place. Likewise, they used Keyes, who couldn't have had a shot in the world (Obama was already leading prior to Ryan's announcement and took the high road, as we so often see him do today, by saying he refused to speak on Ryan's scandal). It followed that Obama won by 70%
4. When in 2004, while he was dominating a US Senate race, he was tapped to write (not something politicians seem to do often) and deliver the keynote address for the Democratic National Convention and thus, not only seal the deal for his Senate win (not that it wasn't already in the bag) but launched him as a national figure of the highest magnitude.

5. When he won his Senate seat in 2004 becoming the fifth black Senator (and the third to actually be elected) in US History and became the only Senator in the Congressional Black Caucus and just four years later, Congress.org would rank him as the 11th most powerful US Senator. His Senate accomplishments included co-sponsoring legislation with people on both of sides of the aisle including Republican Senator's Coburn and McCain creating legislation regarding energy policy, weapons reduction, tracking federal spending (USAspending.gov), nuclear plant radioactive leak disclosure and relief for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the latter being the first legislation to be enacted with him as the primary sponsor). He sponsored amendments to aid discharged and disabled soldiers and held assignments on the Committees for "Foreign Relations," "Environment and Public Works," "Veteran's Affairs," "Health, Education Labor and Pensions" and "Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs" and on the sub-committee for "European Affairs."

6. When he became the first African American presumptive nominee of a major party edging out Senator Clinton, the expected front-runner, in a tight contest and then became the first major party presidential candidate to turn down public financing (meaning the tax dollars from that box you check on your tax return, in the form of matching funds, won't go toward financing his campaign, but also meaning that his campaign has no spending limits or limitations on how much of his own money he can inject into his bid) in the general election (many politicians have opted out of public financing in the primaries but never in the general election since the system was created in 1976).

It's all pretty amazing to me. Yet one of the most instructive quotes I've heard regarding politics is, "Politics makes strange bed fellows." In order to excel in politics, one must make many questionable associations. This may be especially true when you're a product of the Illinois political machine, reputed to be the most corrupt in the country.

Please note that nothing I'm about to say is new. None of the following will fuel any further sentiment against him. Senator Obama's detractors are well aware of his past issues. Breathe. We know, for instance, that after he purchased a $1.65 million home from the proceeds of his book sales, the wife of real estate developer and restaurateur Tony Rezko (who initially focused on fast food restaurants, including Papa John's, Chinese food take-outs and Chicago's first Subway franchise; placing them quite often in Chicago's lower income African American neighborhoods but also "winning" government contracts to place fast food chains within state property) sold part of an adjacent lot to Obama (The Rezko lot was originally purchased on the same day as Obama's house).

Obama's campaign admits that Rezko and close associates contributed upwards of $250,000 over the years (though they say much of it was later donated to charity). Rezko goes back to Barack's Harvard days when he offered Obama a job but was refused. However, after graduation, he went to work for the law firm of Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, which represented Rezko, whom Obama helped obtain $43 million in government funding. The firm's founder Allison S. Davis eventually went into business with Rezko and was later appointed by Governor Blagojevich to the Illinois State Board of Investment at Rezko's request.

Earlier this year, Rezko was convicted on political corruption charges. Apparently, his pay for access schemes go back to the Harold Washington era. Obama, when asked by the Times why he didn't reveal his land deal with Rezko before it was reported by the Tribune, replied, "At the time, it didn't strike me as relevant." It should also be mentioned that Rezko raised and donated money to numerous politicians and even co-chaired a multimillion-dollar fund-raiser for President George W. Bush in 2003.

These types of ties are no different than those of any other major political figure. Barack supported Mayor Daley's re-election bid despite a series of City Hall corruption scandals. He also supported the re-election of Governor Rod Blagojevich, whose administration is embroiled in corruption probes. Both figures are associated with Rezko. Even members of the Senator's inside team have questionable associations. Illinois State Treasurer Alex Giannoulias, an Obama presidential committee chairperson, has lent millions of dollars to convicted mobster Michael Giorano through banks his family controls.

Nothing about Obama suggests to me that he prefers to associate with controversial characters. However, the fact that he is a politician means that he often HAS to associate with them. If he'd never established a relationship with Rezko, for instance, I doubt any of us would have ever heard of him. In fact, Rezko gave him his first major political contribution.

I do not point these things out to insinuate in the slightest that Obama is corrupt. Instead, I mention them to point out that though politicians will sometimes get to do what they WANT to do, they will always do what they HAVE to do and quite often what they HAVE to do will not be in your best interest.

What does Obama want to do? According to him, a few of the things he wants to do are:

Redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq
Enact tens of billions of budget cuts on "unproven" missile defense systems
Eliminate all nuclear weapons
Negotiate with Russia to take InterContinental Ballistic Missiles off high alert status
Establish direct presidential diplomacy with Iran with the possibility of military action
Capitalize on opportunities to strike at al-Qaeda leaders
Oppose genocide in the Darfur
Oppose the privatization of Social Security
Work toward universal healthcare
Reward teachers for performance
Eliminate taxes for senior citizens who earn less than $50,000/annum
Repeal income tax for citizens making in excess of $250,000/annum
Simplify the income tax filing process
Restrict carbon emissions
Decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, partially by investing in alternative energy sources
Refuse the grandfathering of pollution credits for oil and gas companies

What worries me is what he will HAVE to do. In America, citizens have the power to vote their preferred candidate into office. However, as George W. Bush knows, once a president is elected, voters are almost powerless to remove them. Citizens don't have real access to the president, but other politicians and lobbyist do. Citizens did not decide to launch the meandering investigation that ended in the impeachment of Bill Clinton, other politicians (namely North Carolina Senators Jesse Helms and Duncan "Lauch" Faircloth using the Office of the "Independent" Council in the person of Kenneth Starr, who investigated every aspect of Bill Clinton on a part time basis while maintaining employment at Kirkland & Ellis, a law firm that represented tobacco companies and auto manufacturers and was being sued by a government agency involved in the Whitewater matter) did. Citizens did not decline to investigate and impeach George Bush, other politicians including multi-millionaire, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D) did (notwithstanding the fact that if they were to be impeached and removed, much easier said than done, of course, she would have become president by default). She famously stated in May 2006 that the impeachment investigation of the administration was "off the table." Her own constituent base in San Francisco supports impeachment. Do you think that matters?

Yes, I would like to see Obama win, but I am far more interested on what the plans are to hold him accountable when votes are no longer needed and low approval ratings, as is the case with George W. Bush, are trivial matters. Barack would like to Redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq, enact tens of billions of dollars of budget cuts on "unproven" missile defense systems and eliminate all nuclear weapons. I wonder how the Defense lobby, the military, the RAND Corporation and defense investment firms like the Carlyle Group feel about that. I'm SURE they already have a solid plan. Do we? He wants to oppose genocide in Darfur. I wonder how China, a major investor in Sudan's oil industry (think 100,000 barrels/day) and its major trade partner (to the tune of 64% of all Sudanese exports and 11% of its imports, including many of the weapons and aircraft being used in the Darfur conflict) feels about that. China also exports 21% of its goods to the U.S. and receives 7.5% of its goods from the U.S. Wal-Mart exports more from China than most countries, including the United Kingdom. China, along with Japan, holds roughly 29% of all U.S. National Debt held by the public. China itself holds $502 billion dollars of US Treasury securities and over $1 Trillion dollars of U.S. denominated assets. The total "tight money supply" of the United States is $1.4 Trillion. Likewise, if China ever decided on a policy of divestment that might just be a problem. The U.S. has barred its firms from doing business in Sudan since 2007 which, in and of itself, has helped China amass more wealth there. I'm sure, when it comes to U.S. interference with Sudan, China already has a plan, a "5 Year Program," in fact. Do we? By extension Russia is a major trading partner of China (Russia purchases about 5% of its goods from the US but has no major US exports) and has historically provided many of the weapons and aircraft used in twenty years of Sudanese civil war. I'm sure Russia, too, has a plan.

We could go on discussing whether the healthcare and pharmaceutical lobbies or the energy companies have plans. Recall that President Bush's equivalent to Tony Rezko was the late Kenneth Lay (In 2002, "The New York Times" described Lay and his company as, "the most generous campaign donors in Mr. Bush's political career"). His company was the now defunct Enron, which basically destroyed the career of California Governor Gray Davis by gaming California's energy system from 2001-2002 causing rolling blackouts due to raising the cost of energy to the state by 3,000%. This was made possible by the energy lobby's successful attempts to deregulate the energy market state-by-state and then use their immense power to prey upon those very states. The energy lobby continues to enjoy many extremely powerful friends in Washington.

What about powerful umbrella groups like the Bilderberg Group with its defense experts, central bankers, mass media behemoths and top level financiers and politicians? Do you think they have a plan for filtering some of their ideas to the next administration? What of the labor union leaders, corporate CEOs, nonprofit heads and academics that make up the Trilateral Commission. Could they wish to influence a few things in their favor? Do they plan? Does the Council on Foreign Relations have any plans on continuing to influence U.S. foreign policy going forward? This country is full of influential lobbies, politically influential entities and think tanks like The Brookings Institute with access to legislators. However, it seems, once legislators are elected, the people have little to no access to them. This dynamic exists because lobbies are highly organized and the people are not. Politicians only fear the people during election time; afterwards, we just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

I'll say once more, I WOULD LOVE FOR OBAMA TO WIN. However, what I would love more is for people to organize not just for the sake of an election, but organize permanently in a system of checks and balances that keeps the President and every other politician accountable for their actions. If the same behemoth of a machine that has embraced "Change" would organize itself to outlast this and all elections, and grow into a force that demands answers and compliance such that it rightfully wields more influence than all the aforementioned lobbies and groups (as well as those powerful lobbies and groups that I failed to mention), then we would truly have a Democracy. As for now, what we have is a democratic Republic where we vote for people but rarely issues. Our representatives vote frequently and are often compromised. Thus, the idea of placing hope in a politician, no matter whom they may be, does not excite me. May we hope for the best.

-taalam acey
Baltimore
September 21, 2008

Why NBC Cancelled The Richard Prior Show

2008-11-07T07:22:00.001-08:00

In one of very few conversations with my biological father, he talked about how this scene was the REAL reason The Richard Prior Show was pulled off the air (he went so far as to claim that the screen just went blank right after it aired).

I heard the show only lasted four episodes. Still, I had begun to think my father made this scene up. But, alas, here it is (by the way, this was almost identical to my WTF! re-action when I visited the Egyptian Room in The British Museum. Don't get me wrong the great Cheik Ante Diop made it clear [in every way imaginable]...but to see the exhibits with my own eyes, man!).

Oh! I'm told the show also had issues with nudity, language and another skit where a black rockstar kills all his white fans with a machine gun and another where a woman discusses her first experience with lesbianism...all in 1977 on NBC on prime time at 8pm sharp!

Dumb Moments From My Life

2008-11-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

1. When I passed a daycare center, saw the sign, "Parent Pick-up" and subsequently spent 5 minutes wondering why the parents had to be picked up.

2. When I boarded a plane and an older black female passenger announced, "I didn't think I was gonna see any color today" and I stopped with much concern, looked down at what I was wearing and sincerely asked, "You cant see colors?"

3. When I passed by a bar in northern California that had a big sign reading "Cheap Drinks and Free Pool" and spent 4 minutes wishing I had my swimming trunks before it dawned on me they meant a different type of "pool."

4. In 1993, when I was in the computer lab typing a college paper and noticed that Marvin, at the computer next to me, had an odd program on his screen. So I asked, "What the hell is that?" and he said, "Its called electronic mail, I'm emailing someone in Germany" and I shrugged, said, "Oh" and thought assuredly to myself, "Electronic mail? How stupid is that!"

Bring Taalam Acey To Your School

2008-11-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of schools that have invited Taalam to speak. To add your school to the list contact your SGA or an organization on your campus and have them email artcarter44@aol.com

Alfred University (Alfred, NY)
Amherst University (Amherst, MA)
Baltimore City Community College (Baltimore, MD)
Brandeis University (Waltham, MA)
California State Polytechnic University (San Luis Obispo, CA)
California State University (San Bernadino, CA)
California State University (Sacramento, CA)
Cheyney University (Cheyney, PA)
Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA)
Colorado State University (Fort Collins, Colorado)
Coppin State University (Baltimore, MD)
Drew University (Madison, NJ)
Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, FL)
El Centro College (Dallas, TX)
Essex County College (Newark, NJ)
Howard University (Washington DC)
Hunter College (New York, NY)
J. Sargeant Reynolds College (Richmond, VA)
Johnson & Wales University (Miami, FL)
Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY)
Marymount University (Arlington, VA)
Maryville College (Maryville, TN)
Mercy College (Dobb's Ferry, NY)
Messiah College (Grantham, PA)
Milwaukee Area Technical College (Milwaukee, WI)
Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI)
New York University (New York, NY)
Penn State University (University Park, PA)
Rhode Island College (Providence, RI)
Rider University (Lawrenceville, NJ)
Rock Valley College (Rockford, IL)
Rutgers University, Busch (Piscataway, NJ)
Rutgers University, Camden (Camden, NJ)
Rutgers University, NCAS (Newark, NJ)
Sacramento City College (Sacramento, CA)
State University of New York at Albany (Albany, NY)
State University of New York at Binghamton (Binghamton, NY)
Union County College (Union, NJ)
University of California (Santa Cruz, CA)
University of California (Berkeley, CA)
University of Delaware (Newark, DE)
University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK)
University of Illinois (Chicago, IL)
University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA)
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN)
University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK)
University of Redlands (Redlands, CA)
University of Southern California (LA, CA)
University of Texas (Austin TX)
University of Texas (Dallas, TX)
University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)
William Paterson University (Wayne, NJ)
Williams College (Williamstown, MA)

Fatherly Advice For My 12yr Old Daughter

2008-11-05T08:48:00.001-08:00

Baby,
when I was your age, I watched your great-great grandfather incessantly stare out of windows. I contemplated the weight of his mind as he sat silently and stared.

As I've gotten older, I find myself staring at walls, in the way he did windows. I bring this up, because the other day at grandma's house, as you stared at the blank television screen, I saw the same quality developing in you. I wanted to say something to take your mind away from wherever it had gone. On that day, I didn't have anything of substance to say and it has long been clear to me that, unlike your logophile little sister, you've developed an aversion to small talk.

I've put some thought into it since then, and now know what I'd like to discuss with you.

The other day, I went to a chat session, where a couple of dozen adults, in their late 20's to early 30's, sat around and discussed random topics. Toward the end of the night, one young lady explained to the group that she had been hurt all her life by men: her unaffectionate father, her "momma's boy" baby father, and her abusive ex-boyfriend.

Hopefully, you agree that I'm not unaffectionate toward your sister and you. I've made a point to tell you "I love you" in, nearly, every conversation; hugged you at, basically, every coming or going. I hold doors open for you, cook for you, and compliment you because I want you to expect that from the men in your life. Regardless, I refuse to spoil you, because discipline and independence are the most powerful tools I can help you gain.

The young woman at the discussion went on to say that she would never have a healthy relationship with a man. The sad part, baby, is she's absolutely right; but only to the extent that she believes it. Even at 12 years old, if you visualize what you want in life, and realistically work toward it, you can have it. I don't want to confuse you, but you should understand that the people, places and things in this world are simply manifestations of energy. In fact, because everything is relative, the world appears uniquely different to all it's inhabitants; sensorially, the collage of colors, shapes, textures, pain, joy and even temperature of things vary slightly depending on who you ask. There are rules to life that none of us are above. This is of little consequence to most people because, sadly, they believe life is happening to them. But no, baby, you are happening to life. Everything that does or does not come to you is of your doing, whether directly or indirectly.

The young woman explained to us that the problem with men stems from their mother's babying them; so, as a result, they never, truly, grow up. Her theory was that by smothering boys, and not disciplining them, their mothers insure they'll be useless to women. In the young woman's mind, a man expects a woman to take care of him, just like his mother did. Now, I had to correct her at this point. You see, what she was describing was not a man, but a male. When the time comes for you to associate with young men, I want you to be able to intuitively separate the weak from the strong. The easiest way to do this is to pay attention to how he treats other women. Ask him about his relationship with each of the women in his family. Then observe it. What does he have to say about other girls you know? I wouldn't expect him to love (or even like) every female he encounters, but only the weak will be disrespectful when speaking of them. What have you observed from watching my relationship with your grandmother? I not only love her, I'm respectful in what I say to her (or about her) and how I say it. What have you noticed in my dealings with women in general? Males who behave otherwise are showing you they're no good.

After a brief moment of, what appeared to be, reflection, the young lady spoke on how her children's father doesn't contribute to them financially. There is no excuse for that. I would skip meals, in order to provide for you all as best I can. If in life, you find that some young man is not doing every thing within reason to handle his responsibilities, run as fast and far as you can in the other direction. Otherwise, his weakness will manifest itself in your life, on your family. In fact, if a man is profane toward you, threatens you or even raises his voice toward you, sprint and be out just as quickly. Your father has never put his hands on or threatened a woman. Much of that has to do with being preemptive. You too should anticipate problems long before they become too close to dodge. Whenever a man gives you a sob story, refer to what I said above about energy. What he has done to himself, he will attempt to do to you.

When you're old enough to have children of your own, do not have them out of wedlock. Do not conceive children because you are committed, engaged or even a few short days away from your wedding. Wait until after you are officially married; Preferably at least two years after. Live a little.

The last thing the young lady said, is a bit tricky. She declared that "women want stability, men want to be free!" She said it as if that was the key factor, which ruined the lives of women. I think that on this point you and I will not see eye to eye, because it seems to get at the root of gender specific thinking. Still, I want to do my best to give some insight, while advising you to get second opinions from your grandmother and mother.

My thought on this revelation was espoused by the question, "Is that wrong?" It's contradictory in fact. What I've hoped for from women I was attracted to was quick, no strings attached intimacy. Your father is a man too. Most women who went along with my wants probably did so because they were hopeful that more would come from it, though it rarely does. What I've usually received was exactly what I wanted, good memories. Few encounters lead to long term relationships. Ironically, though what I've shared countless times, was memorable and respectful, it's not the type of rendezvous I hope your life is peppered with. I fear, that's a hope in vane. My life seems a series of vampirism. I pray in your life, you are rarely, if ever bitten.

I thought the young lady's statement was basically right. Though some women seem content with having several brief relationships on an "as-need" basis, most, apparently, prefer to settle down with one, loving, responsible man. There is an indefatigable quantity of these women and precious few of the men they seek. In fact, these men are so rare and sought after that, when you land one, even your closest friends may subconsciously, over time, try to take him from you (directly or indirectly).

Intimacy is based on emotion, physiological needs, ego and lust. In women, it's almost all emotion mixed with a little lust and physiological needs. In men, it's nearly all lust, physiological needs and ego. Very rarely is emotion a major factor in intimacy for men. The other day, I watched a television show with a young woman. When the show's characters wagered with each other to see who could be intimate with a new woman by the end of the day, she asked me, "Are men really pigs?" I answered, "If you're asking me if men would really do something like this, then the answer is yes. But, I don't know if that makes them pigs." The men in the show were being immature, but they were being men. Not saying that women never behave like this, but, if so, it's far more seldom (and usually involves a vacation - you'll understand that later). I tell you about this because I want you to know what you're up against.

All men are not predatory with regard to intimacy. Most are. many grow out of it. Some never will. It bothers me that you and your sister will be watched and lusted after your entire lives. Yet, I know that there's nothing I can do to prevent it. Hopefully, by arming you with this information, I can at least prepare you to make wiser choices.

Last night, I was in another venue and watched a clearly inebriated young lady, who could barely walk straight, leave the club with a man. If at some point in your adult life you decide to partake in alcohol, I pray that you will drink responsibly. Experiment at home alone, find a drink you're comfortable with, know your limit and stick to it. Never accept a drink from a stranger that you did not see made, whether it's alcoholic or not, position it away from whoever may be on your left and right, and never take your eyes off of it. This is true regardless of the venue: a bar, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, whatever. Also, it is especially unwise to be alone with a man you do not know (and who hasn't met me yet) or be alone with more than one young man whether you know either of them or not. STICK TO PUBLIC PLACES. A female acquaintance, who delivers mail, tells me stories of men who've tried to lure her into their homes. One even went so far as to convince her he was normal and as she sipped coffee with him, he exposed himself. Now that I think of it, some men ARE pigs. In my late teens, I was a substitute teacher at high schools where I overheard adult staff members speak disrespectfully about the young students. Always remember, the vast majority of people are extremely selfish, deceitful and untrustworthy. Pay closest attention to those that seem otherwise, they're likely to be the worst.

Years from now, when you begin to date, do not forget what I said about PUBLIC PLACES. Never forget that, "nothing's more expensive than free." Most everything is "given" with the expectation that you will give something in return. Likewise, watch who you accept things from and most important, make a point of calculating people's angle early on. They ALWAYS have one and will work harder than anything to disguise it. If you find that a female friend appears naive in these things we're discussing, cut her off if she refuses to wise up. She's dangerous. You will be judged, sized up and tested based on the company you keep.

When I was younger, I was told, "regardless of how beautiful a woman is, there is somebody out there who is tired of being with her." I always knew that was a harsh observation, but now I realize that it's also either untrue or can only be applied to women who have nothing going for them, besides looks. If a young man is only impressed with your beauty, he will eventually grow tired of you. If, however, he is impressed with your mind, he will always maintain some level of interest. Beauty may fade, but minds rarely do. Keep yours in tune. Intimacy is even more ephemeral to men than beauty. Like most commodities, once it's used, it's disposable.

The best way to enjoy your life is to be in control of it. In the history of humankind, NO man has ever been created who deserves to control your life for you. You are not only superb, but supreme. The only thing above you on the food chain is G*d.

In closing, please don't be insulted, but I doubt you are old enough to completely understand all that I have said here, so please, as you get older, refer to this from time to time and, in a few years, share it with your sister. I love you.

You are remarkable,
love, Taalam Acey aka Dad

ps. Please ask me questions. I am willing to discuss this with you anytime you choose.

pps. If you ever endeavor to share this with people who aren't grown, you should probably show it to their parents first.

note to the reader: don't worry, I haven't given her this yet. It will need to be refined first. I may have said too much in some places and too little in others. for now, it's just a work in process. Got to give her something soon though. She's 12 years old and 5'9. Clock is ticking...

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GAY POETRY?

2008-11-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

Note: Due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, if you do not intend on reading this until the very end, please do not start reading it at all. It HAS to be taken in it's entirety. Any comment or supposition on a portion of such, prior to reading the entire essay, will be premature. Not that you will agree even if you read the entire thing, but then that's why we're different people, right? Agreeing to disagree is the cornerstone of our relationship. –taalam

The other day, while standing in front of a Baltimore jazz venue, I chopped it up with the publishers of a local magazine. As we stood roasting in the unrelenting, late June humidity, we touched on sundry topics. Eventually, one publisher abruptly asked, "What do you think about gay poetry?" My initial thought was, "What does he mean by 'gay' poetry?" The question reminded me of the oft asked, "Do you prefer slam poetry?" Which, whenever asked, I reply, "Well...how do you define Slam Poetry?"

If you ask that question of someone who is slightly familiar with slamming, she/he might suggest that any poem performed loud and fast is a slam poem. On the other hand, one who is adverse to poetry slams (i.e., formal poetry contests) might insinuate that any emotively performed, badly written poem is a slam poem; the litmus test, for them, would include a profound lack of literary merit, perpetually masked by a distracting delivery. The MORE FAMILIAR the interviewee is with poetry slams, however, the LESS CAPABLE they are of answering the question definitively. Few will find satisfaction in the absolutely truthful, and intuitive, response that a slam poem is ANY poem read in a poetry slam.

So what is "gay poetry?"

I live in the arts district of downtown Baltimore near the opera and the symphony. Neither venue is what attracted me. I've yet to visit either. My headquarters is perfect for an incessantly traveling poet. I'm four blocks from the train station and three from the light rail to the airport. Mt. Vernon is a beautiful slice of Baltimore, with small parks, museums, landmarks and tons of bars, restaurants and fresh seafood.

It is considered by many (if not most) to be the city's "gay neighborhood." The three main gay clubs are nestled here. The (gay) Pride parade takes place two blocks from my home. Supposedly, neighborhoods are considered "gay," "black" or "working class" based on who people see (or, more accurately, notice) most often when they're there. That's clearly the logic used when some classify San Francisco as a "gay city" and Atlanta as "the black San Francisco." So does it follow that Air Tran which insists on taking nearly every passenger, regardless of final destination, to its Atlanta hub, a "gay airline?" That may be a stretch, but I've certainly been a party to an Air Tran flight where flamboyantly gay men were, at least, the vocal majority. Was I on a "gay flight?"

Gay poetry, on the other hand, is harder to stereotype. Does it imply that a poem is about being gay or that it wasn't necessarily, but was simply written and performed by a gay person? My initial reply to the publisher's inquiry, as I stared in the Jazz club's window at the red and green neon "Open Now" sign with a neon blue cocktail glass attached, was, "I don't feel any kind of way about it."

Homosexuality is one of few topics I've never, directly, addressed in my poetry. The closest I've come to it was the poem, "Pyromaniax," which dealt with the spread of HIV and was written partially in sympathy to two gay administrators in a college I attended, one of which had died of AIDS. At times I've considered writing a poem about homosexuality, but what could I say of it? That would be as presumptuous as my writing a poem about the experience of being in a race other than black. Persona poems tend to be presumptuous.

I've spent the majority of my life pretty ignorant of gay terms. Even the word "gay," when I was coming up, was used more as a synonym for "weak" (i.e. "How you gone let him talk about your mother like that. That's gay as hell!") than for a sexual preference. I didn't know until I was an adult that the word "punk" could be used to mean "homosexual." So when a woman remarked that she was, "as happy as a punk in a pickle factory," I was totally clueless. Indeed, it seems the term "gay" itself is being phased out. I hear the term "queer identified" frequently being used as a PC equivalent.

I'm somewhat ignorant. But I'm not so naive as to not know that even in writing this essay, I run the risk of high insensitivity. Comparisons might be drawn to white liberals who make comments intended as sympathetic to the black experience that come across otherwise: "Some blacks write exceptionally well!" Really?

I wonder if I were ever to write about homosexuality, would that then qualify as a "gay poem?"

I took long drags from a Black & Mild, careful to exhale away from the two publishers' direction as the tall, lock-haired, brown-skinned male publisher smiled coyly and his cherubic, lightskinned co-publisher shook her own locked hair as if frustrated with either the ambiguity of her partner's question or that of my answer. I couldn't help but wonder why my opinion even mattered. I masked a yawn by keeping my lips nearly closed, while using a napkin procured earlier, from the bar, to uproot a platoon of sweat as it marched determinantly toward my eyes.

Leaning on the jazz club's awning and glazed with perspiration, the co-publisher explained that their next issue would feature a gay poetry venue that recently opened on the outskirts of town. I ascertained from this that "gay poetry" was intended to mean some ambiguous combination of both: poems written by gays and/or about homosexuality.

My first selfish thought was, "Is there a need for that?" I recalled hearing about a Lesbian poetry night on the South Side of Chicago that I once thought of crashing, only to recall my performance at a Me'Shell Ndegeochello concert in DC for a room full of lesbians who tolerated me right up until I attempted my second erotic piece. Then came daymares of the lesbian erotic show I performed at in Milwaukee...but I digress.

I don't believe that I was forcing my sexuality on lesbians in either instance. The cliche' that a lesbian just hasn't experienced the "right man" or that, in most cases, her sexuality is an unfortunate reaction to past sexual aggression, sounds ridiculous to me too. I believe it's immature (if not delusional) to believe you can change a person's orientation. You heard me right: I do not believe that homosexuality is any more of a choice than heterosexuality. Any attempt to "cure" me of my flaming heterosexuality would be preposterously hopeless and conclusively offensive.

In a past life, I had a gay girlfriend. Sounds absurd huh? You're thinking she may have been "bi-sexual," but not "gay." Well believe me, I've had bi-sexual girlfriends. This was different. She was actually gay, and being with me didn't make her any less lesbian than marriage makes a homosexual man any less gay. I always knew our relationship would end when she faced that. I never invested in the idea that she could/would change. Our relationship didn't last much longer than it took her to get pregnant. Sadly, for all concerned, including her true soulmate (a woman, of course), she miscarried.

There was a brief pause in the conversation between the publishers and I. The man seemed to be transfixed on the club's black door, which was held open by a rusty chain attached to it's handle. Meanwhile, thinking of myself again, I wondered, "does that mean I won't be welcomed at the new poetry venue?" I'm aware of "black" venues (eg. Black on Black Rhyme in Tampa) and "white" venues (eg. The Green Mill in Chicago) but neither venue is exclusive. I've seen all races represented and well welcomed at each.

It's interesting that I would care about being excluded from a gay poetry venue. I have never ventured into either of the two male oriented gay bars in my neighborhood, notwithstanding the fact that I'm a fan of alcohol and I've lived there for several years. In fact, based on the signs out front, they offer the cheapest happy hour drinks in the neighborhood. One of the bars is often open so late on Saturday nights that I notice patrons still exiting out (or arriving) whenever I head to the supermarket on Sunday mornings. Intriguing. Yet, I don't plan to see the inside of a male gay club, especially not one whose biggest nights are "Shirtless Tuesdays" and "Bareback Thursdays." I'm quite cool on that.

I've been harassed a couple of times just walking near the bars. Just the other day, a gay dude embarked on his second attempt, in as many weeks, at "talking" to me. The brother actually got down on one knee and my immediate thought was a running punt field goal. I know...not very tolerant.

And what of tolerance?

The very term "Tolerance" is smug. People's lifestyles should be "accepted," not "tolerated." Why should I pat myself on the back for "tolerating" that which does not affect me? Lord knows what type of lascivious behavior occurs in the privacy of some peoples' experiences, but is it really my job to tolerate it? If I don't approve, I don't involve myself. That's that.

I've heard lesbians and bi-sexual women do fairly graphic erotic poems in "straight" poetry venues, on occasion. I've heard lesbian poems about taking a man's girl away from him, or cheating with his wife. I can't say that I'm a fan of that, but in every case, I've heard worse from straight poets. Men do gay poems also; but rarely in "black" venues.

Speaking of acceptance, I would be less than honest not to admit that, like many who patronize black poetry venues, I'm less comfortable with the idea of homosexual males. When it comes to gay men, I'm little more than tolerant. Please understand that the very fact that a man is gay is a non-issue to me. Indeed, I'm far too busy navigating the challenges inherent in piloting my life to obsess over running the lives of others. My general slogan is "you work on YOUR happiness and I'll work on MINE." Still, gay men who send me shirtless pictures or insinuate (or explicate) that they're attracted to me, as sometimes happens on MySpace, run the risk of obstructing said happiness. I struggle to tolerate that. I will only accept your homosexuality to the extent that you accept my heterosexuality. Deal? Likewise, though the very act of patronizing reasonably priced drinks in a gay bar would not make me gay, it could nevertheless confuse some, not to mention eschew my own comfort zone. So I steer clear.

Ironically, I'll pop into a lesbian bar in a second. The third gay establishment in my neighborhood is just that. I drink there occasionally. I don't go in search of kinky sex...or sex at all, simply to drink and pursue one of my favorite hobby's...people watching. I don't bother anyone, flirt or assume that simply because I'm familiar with the characters and storyline on the L-Word, I'm hip. I mind my business, sip, smoke and practice covert people watching. Just because a woman isn't into men, doesn't mean I cannot tactfully appreciate her.

Nevertheless, while the publisher's and I stood there, I let go of any thoughts of my participation in the new poetry venue. If gay people want to organize a poetry spot, even if it's exclusive, that's fine with me (as if it has to be).

I walked closer to the jazz club's smoke gray stucco facade. While wiping my face with my forearm, I noticed how the stucco darkened to beige just beneath the 2nd floor window. The co-publisher glanced at the bars on the window of the jazz club and then those in the window of the money green brick building next door with the sign the read "Law Office." The publisher walked toward a sapling which was being held prone by a wire attached to a stick on either side.

My eyes darted between them as I explained, "I feel no way about 'gay poetry'...or white poetry or black poetry or democratic poetry, Christian poetry or Islamic poetry." I paused for effect. " I only care about GOOD poetry." In fact, whether I agree with the poet's subject matter is secondary to the artistic value, imagery and logical structure of a poem. I'm married to this art form, and only discriminate with respect to the artistic integrity of those who practice it.

As for homosexuality itself, perhaps you expect me to insert the cliche' that "some of my closest friends are gay." Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of my friends are lesbian (many of whom I admire for their aesthetic presentation and slick ability to get into the next woman's mind), but I have no (openly) gay male friends. Sorry. I can do you one better though, one of my idols was an openly gay man. In fact, I consider James Baldwin the best writer I am aware of.

-part ii-

I had a brief discussion about homosexuality while standing in front of a poetry venue the other day. This particular venue was a stone's throw away from the two male oriented gay clubs I spoke of earlier. While I looked toward two men talking in a near empty parking lot on the opposite side of the street, an acquaintance looked in the direction of the two clubs and exclaimed, "This is Babylon!"

I asked, "You mean America?"

Dragging his words, he answered, "Yeeaah, buut..."

I cut him off, "Hold up. I know you're not about to dis my neighborhood!"

He abruptly discontinued a pull from his Newport, then took another drag without speaking and motioned his head toward the two men who'd moments ago appeared to be having a heated discussion, but were now kissing.

I shrugged and exhaled the black smoke I had been savoring in my nostrils.

He commented emphatically in the men's direction, while shaking his head, "Hell naw!"

I responded, "Yo. That doesn't affect me. I mean...are they happy?" He frowned until there were ripples in his forehead and caesar. Not giving him a chance to speak, I continued, "Are children or small animals being harmed. Are they consenting? I wouldn't want my happiness blocked by someone who wasn't a stakeholder in it."

My sagacity fell on def ears. I stopped just short of pointing out to him that the woman sitting next to him at the bar hadn't always been one. He/she (the pejorative term in Baltimore is "shem") was someone I recognized from the neighborhood and from poetry readings. Transgender individuals aren't all that uncommon in my neighborhood. In fact, the high price of hormones causes some to hit the streets, late nights, several blocks up from my home. Also, I've seen at least one presumably straight dude embarrassed after kissing on one all night in a lounge. He seemed quite proud of his accomplishment, clearly misinterpreting all of our frequent glances, but hastily ran out when while on a drink run, someone at the bar finally told him the deal. Rather than laughter, the collective thought seemed to be "welcome to Baltimore idiot, learn to read the signs." Whenever I see a man with a transgender individual, I always wonder if he is, at least, aware. Regardless, I mind my business. My acquaintance, on the other hand, had only been sitting next to one, there was no evidence that he'd said a word to her, still, there's no telling how he would've responded had I told him, so I refrained.

The older I get the more I see how hard it is to find peace in this world. I don't have it all figured out and I don't believe that anyone's religious leader has it all figured out either. You cannot walk a mile in my shoes because, among other reasons, I'm wearing them, have many more miles to go and, most important, would fight you for the privilege/curse of wearing them. It follows that my refusal to take them off means that I cannot walk a mile in anyone else's either.

Anyone who claims to definitively know what another is thinking, is suspect in my eyes, especially if the mind they claim to be able to read is The Creator's. I measure myself by MY values and principles. I strive to be comfortable with myself. The next person should strive to be comfortable with her/himself.

The idea that every person in the world must make you comfortable with their personal life, is solipsistic, unless, of course, you are G*d (and wish to take back that whole free will thing).

If someone is living their life differently than I prefer to live mine, then guess what? It's a good thing they are not me.

-Taalam Acey, summer 2007

a list of books about the diaspora

2008-11-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Blessings,
the following is a list of 36 books that deal with various periods and aspects of Afrikan History. Please hold onto the list as you see fit. The books that follow are in no particular order. Nor am i submitting this as the definitive 36 books regarding our Diaspora. This is simply a list of books that have proven especially helpful to my grasp of the history of Afrikan peoples. Feel free to share this list as you choose.

I'm sure you'll notice books that you feel are missing from this list or perhaps you would like to comment on or criticize what was included. Either way, please add your comment to the blog so that all may benefit.

Malcolm X on Afro American History Malcolm X first published in 1964 Paperback: 108 pages Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY); 3 edition (June 1, 1990) Language: English ISBN-10: 0873485920 ISBN-13: 978-0873485920

Before The Mayflower: A History of Black America Lerone Bennett first published in 1962 Paperback: 784 pages Publisher: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.; 8 Revised edition (October 28, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0874850002 ISBN-13: 978-0874850000

Destruction of Black Civilization : Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C to 2000 A.D. Chancellor Williams first published in by Kendall/Hunt Dubuque, Iowa 1971 Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Third World Press; New edition (June 1, 1987) Language: English ISBN-10: 0883780305 ISBN-13: 978-0883780305

Garvey, Lumumba, Malcolm: Black Nationalist Separatist Shawna Maglanbayan Unknown Binding: 118 pages Publisher: Third World Press; [1st ed.] edition (1972) Language: English ASIN: B0006CBRSQ

Not Yet Uhuru Oginga Odinga first published in 1968 London: Heinemann Paperback: 340 pages Publisher: Heinemann (Txt) (June 1968) Language: English ISBN-10: 0435900382 ISBN-13: 978-0435900380

Black Nationalism E U Essien-Udom first published in 1962 by the University of Chicago Press Unknown Binding: 367 pages Publisher: University of Chicago (1962) ASIN: B0000CLG4R

A Peoples History of The United States Dr. Howard Zinn first published in 1981 Paperback: 768 pages Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (August 2, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 0060838655 ISBN-13: 978-0060838652

Capitalism and Slavery Eric Williams first published in 1944 by the University of North Carolina Press Paperback: 307 pages Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (October 14, 1994) Language: English ISBN-10: 0807844888 ISBN-13: 978-0807844885

They Came Before Columbus Dr. Ivan Sertima first published in 1976 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks (September 23, 2003) Language: English ISBN-10: 0812968174 ISBN-13: 978-0812968170

From Columbus to Castro: The History of the Caribbean 1492-1969 Eric Williams first published in 1984 Paperback: 608 pages Publisher: Vintage; 1st Vintage Books Ed edition (April 12, 1984) Language: English ISBN-10: 0394715020 ISBN-13: 978-0394715025

The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution C.L.R. James first published in 1938 Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Vintage; 2 edition (October 23, 1989) Language: English ISBN-10: 0679724672 ISBN-13: 978-0679724674

Neo-Colonialism The Last Stage of Imperialism Kwame Nkrumah First Published: in 1965 by Thomas Nelson & Sons, Ltd., London Paperback Publisher: Intl Pub (June 1966) ISBN-10: 0717801403 ISBN-13: 978-0717801404

Soledad Brother George L. Jackson first published in 1971 Paperback: 339 pages Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books; New edition (September 1994) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556522304 ISBN-13: 978-1556522307

The Autobiography of Malcolm X : As Told to Alex Haley Malcolm X with Alex Haley first published in 1965 Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 12, 1987) Language: English ISBN-10: 0345350685 ISBN-13: 978-0345350688

Angela Davis: An Autobiography Angela Y. Davis first published in 1974 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: International Publishers (March 1989) Language: English ISBN-10: 0717806677 ISBN-13: 978-0717806676

Negroes With Guns Robert Franklin Williams first published in 1962 Paperback: 89 pages Publisher: Wayne State University Press (June 1998) Language: English ISBN-10: 0814327141 ISBN-13: 978-0814327142

Assata: An Autobiography Assata Shakur First published in 1987 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books; New Ed edition (November 1, 2001) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556520743 ISBN-13: 978-1556520747

The Fire Next Time James Baldwin first published in America by Dial Press in 1963 Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: Modern Library; Modern Library Ed edition (May 2, 1995) Language: English ISBN-10: 0679601511 ISBN-13: 978-0679601517

Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology Cheikh Anta Diop first published in 1981 Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (April 1991) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556520484 ISBN-13: 978-1556520488

Stolen Legacy George G M James first published in 1954 Paperback: 190 pages Publisher: Khalifah's Booksellers & Associates (January 1, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 1564110036 ISBN-13: 978-1564110039

Nina Simone : I Put a Spell on You Nina Simone Hardcover: 182 pages Publisher: Ebury Press (1991) ISBN-10: 0852238959 ISBN-13: 978-0852238950

A Taste of Power: A Black Woman's Story Elaine Brown Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Anchor; 1st Anchor Books ed edition (December 1, 1993) Language: English ISBN-10: 0385471076 ISBN-13: 978-0385471077

The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, Or, Africa for the Africans Marcus Garvey first published in two volumes in 1923 and 1925 Paperback: 412 pages Publisher: Majority Press; Centennial edition (November 1986) Language: English ISBN-10: 0912469242 ISBN-13: 978-0912469249

Three African-American Classics: Up from Slavery (1901), The Souls of Black Folk (1903) and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) by W. E. B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Dover Publications (February 2, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0486457575 ISBN-13: 978-0486457574

David Walker's Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World David Walker Written in Boston, State of Massachusetts, September 28, 1829 Paperback: 108 pages Publisher: Black Classic Press (January 15, 1997) Language: English ISBN-10: 0933121385 ISBN-13: 978-0933121386

Christopher Columbus And The Afrikan Holocaust: Slavery And The Rise Of European Capitalism. Dr. John Henrik Clarke Trenton: Africa World Press, 1992 Paperback: 131 pages Publisher: A & B Distributors (August 2002) Language: English ISBN-10: 1886433186 ISBN-13: 978-1886433182 100

Amazing Facts About the Negro With Complete Proof: A Short Cut to the World History of the
Negro JA Rogers first published in 1957 Paperback: 71 pages Publisher: Helga M. Rogers (June 15, 1980) Language: English ISBN-10: 0960229477 ISBN-13: 978-0960229475

The Invisible Man Ralph Ellison first published in 1952 Paperback: 608 pages Publisher: Vintage; 2 edition (March 14, 1995) Language: English ISBN-10: 0679732764 ISBN-13: 978-0679732761

Black Robes, White Justice: Why Our Legal System Doesn't Work for Blacks Judge Bruce Wright first published in 1993 Paperback: 214 pages Publisher: Kensington (March 1, 2002) Language: English ISBN-10: 0758201109 ISBN-13: 978-0758201102

Roots: The Saga of An American Family Alex Haley first published in 1976 Paperback: 899 pages Publisher: Vanguard Press; Anv edition (May 22, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 1593154496 ASIN: B000WHAZLA

Black Is The Color of My TV Tube Gil Noble Hardcover: 190 pages Publisher: L. Stuart; 1st ed edition (March 1981) Language: English ISBN-10: 0818402970 ISBN-13: 978-0818402975

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa Walter Rodney Paperback: 312 pages first published in 1972 Language: English ISBN-10: 0882580965 ISBN-13: 978-0882580968

The Autobiography of Leroi Jones Amiri Baraka Paperback: 465 pages first published in 1984 Language: English ISBN-10: 1556522312 ISBN-13: 978-1556522314

Nigger: an Autobiography Dick Gregory with Robert Lipsyte Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages first published in 1963 Language: English ISBN-10: 0671735608 ISBN-13: 978-0671735609

The Black Poets Dudley Randall Paperback: 384 pages first printed in 1971 Language: English ISBN-10: 0553275631 ISBN-13: 978-0553275636

Voices in the Mirror: An Autobiography Gordon Parks Paperback: 464 pages first printed in 1990 Language: English ISBN-10: 0767922123 ISBN-13: 978-0767922128