
Author General Davis participated in the Stand’s talk back session at the South Side Communications Center.
Author General Davis participated in the Stand’s talk back session at the South Side Communications Center.
The Syracuse University event for the 4th Annual Community Read-Out (Black & Banned) was held at Bird Library. The event was organized by Professor Dr. Joan Bryant (far left).
We wonder what would have surprised Malcolm X (aka El-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz) more, the fact that his autobiography was banned and called a “crime manual” in Jacksonville FL, or that 50 years later a marathon community reading about his life would be held at Syracuse University (SU). For the next two days additional readings of The Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley) will be held at Onondaga Community College and Beauchamp Public Library.
The Autobiography was a great choice for Banned Books week on many levels, but most important, Malcolm X’s story speaks to the heart of the American experience. For further exploration of his legacy, we also recommend this book by Rondell Collins.
Interestingly, one year before the book was published, Malcolm was interviewed by writer Al Balk, who later became a professor at SU’s Newhouse School.
Syracuse is extremely fertile ground for poets, writers and story-tellers. Here is a sound clip from a reading done by Jackie Warren-Moore (who we call our poet laureate) during the Apartheid & Identity event in Downtown Syracuse last week. Her tale illustrates that activism by women and social justice also run deep in our roots.
To find out how this story from her childhood ends, check her out during a public reading, or purchase a copy of her work.
Warren-Moore gave the reading along with Georgia Popoff and Vanessa Johnson.
Warren-Moore, Johnson and Popoff shared their work at the Atrium at Clinton Square on Thursday.
Tavis Smiley, Author, Radio/TV host (circa 2005) in Washington, DC
If you enjoyed the film “Selma,” which paints an intimate portrait of the coalitions and strategies of the Civil Rights Movement, we suggest you move next to “Death of a King” by Tavis Smiley. His book gives a revealing look at the last year of Dr. King’s life (the good, the bad and the unforeseen).
Smiley is pictured here in Washington, DC in 2005.
Music elder, P-Funk progenitor and Mothership pilot George Clinton is making rounds these days promoting his new book, “Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You ?” He is pictured here at the Carrier Dome after an interview with Soul of Syracuse’s Jerome Espree (about a decade ago).
Humorist Yvonne Conte talked about her book during a live cooking demonstration (with Chris Cesta) at the Italian Festival.
Former SU Center Etan Thomas signed books on the SU campus
Sand Sculpture tribute to Theodor Seuss Geisel (Center of Progress Building)