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Marvin X in a poetic moment with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf

February 10, 2015, 12:39 am
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 Marvin X and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at the San Quentin Prison Art Exhibit and Reception for the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration, Laney College, Feb. 7, 2015
photo  Baba Jahahara Amen-RA Alkebulan-Ma'at



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Black Bird Press News & Review: Senator Barbara Boxer--In Search of My Soul Sister

February 10, 2015, 1:17 am
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Black Bird Press News & Review: Senator Barbara Boxer--In Search of My Soul Sister

Please go to the above link to read Marvin's essay In Search of My Soul Sister

 Marvin X and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. She presented the BAM poet/playwright with a proclamation in celebration of The Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary.




Daughter Nefertiti comments on her Dad's essay In Search of My Soul Sister

Oh do I love the way that you preach the TRUTH. There are many sisters who love you and as you say, have always supported you. I am one, and I am eternally grateful for your boldness, for the truth for which you speak. I am grateful for the way that you have allowed yourself to evolve into a whole person, a person who is a lover of humanity. Many of us have gotten stuck into ignorant dogmas that have long ago proven their fallacies, but we fail to abandon them. I love you and you have given birth to a quiet feminine version of yourself.--Nefertiti
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Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X speaks at the Black Caucus of California Community Colleges Conference, Merritt College

February 10, 2015, 8:33 am
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BSU at Merritt College benefit for Jamaica Study

February 10, 2015, 2:08 pm
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BAM: Next Stop San Francisco, HP, TL, Fillmore, Lakeview

February 10, 2015, 4:05 pm
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Panel on BAM/Black Power Babies, an inter-generational  dialogue between artists/activists and their children: Laney College moderator is Davey D, participants include Renya Collins and Terry Collins, Kujichagulia and Taiwo, Marvin X and Nefertiti
photo South Park Ken Johnson
 
 BAM and Black Women Writers: Elaine Brown, Halifu Osumare, Judy Juanita, Marvin X (Producer) Portia Anderson, Phavia Kujichagulia, Aries Jordan
photo South Park Ken Johnson

 Marvin X with Bay Bridge in b.g., circa 1995
photo South Park Ken Johnson

 Playwright Ed Bullins and Marvin X founded Black Arts West Theatre on Fillmore Street, 1966. Along with Eldridge Cleaver, Bullins and Marvin X established the political/cultural center known as Black House on Broderick Street, 1967.

 Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, poet/playwright/director/producer/actress, performed in Marvin X's long running docudrama One Day in the Life. Marvin X founded Recovery Theatre and produced his play coast to coast, including at San Francisco's Loraine Hansberry Theatre, Buriel Clay Theatre, Bannam Place Theatre, Visitation Valley, Porterro Hill Neighborhood House and elsewhere. Thousands of addicts in recovery saw this production that became a cult classic that Marvin wrote while in the Glide Church Facts on Crack Recovery Program, under Rev. Cecil Williams.

 Dr. Nathan Hare, sociologist and clinical psychologist is part of the BAM Tour, facilitating the
Mental Wellness Project: How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy. Co-facilitator is Suzzette Celeste Johnson, MPA, MSW. The Mental Wellness project is based on Marvin X's manual How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, a 13 Step manual based on the 12 Model of AA. Dr. Nathan Hare wrote the Foreword.


The Black Arts Movement Poet's Choir and Arkestra at University of California, Merced, Feb/Mar 2014, BAM Conference, a Kim McMillan/Marvin X Production
The BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, Oakland, May 17, 2014



Marvin X and BAM Band leader, musician/philosopher Sun Ra. Sun Ra and his Myth-Science Arkestra arranged the musical version of Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business. Performance at the Harding Theatre was five hours without intermission, 1972. They are standing outside Marvin's Black Educational Theatre on O'ferral between Fillmore and Webster. Both were teaching at UC Berkeley during this time until the reactionary academics purged the entire radical faculty in Black Studies.



Earle Davis was a member of Marvin X's Black Arts West Theatre, Fillmore, 1966,

Marvin X, Dr. Julia Hare, Dr. Nathan Hare and Attorney Amira Jackmon, daughter of Marvin X. She was agent for the sale of the Hare's archives organized by Marvin X.



Marvin and the infamous Fillmore Slim on Fillmore Street.
Fillmore gets autographed copy of Marvin's The Wisdom of Plato Negro, Parables/fables

Michael Bennett, YMCA Wellness Director and Marvin X. He vows to help Marvin with physical wellness.

Marvin X and San Francisco's Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi with a copy of Mythology of Pussy and Dick, the most popular piece of writing by Marvin X. Thousands of copies have been published and distributed coast to coast. Young and old fight over the pamphlet as if it's black gold. People steal it from each other or refuse to return it. And it has changed the attitude and behavior of young and old men and women. Marvin has a 400 page version but is not rushing to publish it. He says, "Why should I publish the 400 page version when they can't digest the 18 page pamphlet. Once pass the title, one enters the wonderful world of Marvin X who is a liberator of men and women from patriarchal mythology and domination. Marvin says half the men (and women) are in jail and prison behind pussy and dick issues, simply because they think they own something they don't own. We heard chattel slavery ended some years ago, personal property slavery. Some men don't get it and some women don't get it, hence all the partner violence around the world, among all the religions and ideologies, sects and cults, whether Capitalism or Communism, Socialism.

Marvin X at the Hunters Point/Bayview, YMCA Boot Camp

LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, Chief architect of the Black Arts Movement

Amiri Baraka and Marvin X enjoyed a 47 year friendship as artistic freedom fighters


Mrs. Amina Baraka and Amiri Baraka

Violinist Tarika Lewis, first female member of the Black Panther Party

Marvin X speaks often on KPOO, founded by Joe Rudolph (RIP)



San Francisco gave Amiri Baraka his 75th Birthday party in the Yoshi's screening room on Fillmore, a Marvin X production. Dancer Raynetta Rayzetta bows before AB, showing honor and respect for our greatest revolutionary writer.

Marvin and Black Panther Party artist and Minister of Culture, Emory Douglas

Dewey Redman was a member of the Black Arts West Theatre musicians, 1966, along with Rafael Donald Garrett, Monte Waters, Earle Davis, Oliver Johnson, BJ, et al. They accompanied the plays of Marvin X, Ed Bullins and Amiri Baraka.

Black Arts Movement baby Joshua Redman


Danny Glover performed at Marvin's Black Arts West Theatre, 1966


 Judy Juanita, novelist, BAM/Black Power activist
 Long time San Francisco theatre director, John Henry Doyle (RIP). He produced and directed the plays Ed Bullins and Marvin X

 BAM divas Tureada Mikell, Mechelle LaChaux, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, violinist Tarika Lewis
photo Gene Hazzard

 
Marvin X and daughter Nefertiti
Daughter told dad to pass the baton!



Dr. Cornel West, Samantha Akwei, Marvin X
Dr. West supports the BAM 27 City Tour
photo Adam Turner
 Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, curator of BAM/Post News Exhibit of San Quentin Art; Rt. Col. Conway Jones, Jr., Chief Adviser to Marvin X; BAM producer Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, holding Naima Joy, granddaughter of Marvin X; his grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, President of the Oakland City Council, Lynette McElhaney

Michael Bennett's Wellness Team from Hunters Point/Bayview, San Francisco, facilitated the Physical Wellness Boot Camp, trainer was Lynn Cole.


We call upon the following San Francisco friends and supporters to help the BAM San Francisco Tour:
San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi
London Breed, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Malia Cohen, Supervisor, Bayview/HP
Willie Brown, former Mayor of SF
Harlan Kelly, Jr.
Charlie Walker
Ken Johnson
Terry Collins
Arnold Townsend
Dr. Ken Montiero
Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta
Sheena Johnson
Will and Maxine Ussery
Rev. Cecil Williams
Janice Mirikitani
Amelia Ashley-Ward
George Smith
Geoffery Grier
Michael Bennett
Dr. Rose
San Francisco Theatre Festival
SF Grants for the Arts
SF Arts Commission
Hotel Tax Fund
San Francisco Foundation
San Francisco State University
San Francisco City College
YMCA, San Francisco
KPOO Radio
devorah major
Eugene and Lynette White

Contact Marvin X at 510-200-4164
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com


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Video: BAM 50th Anniversary - Laney College, Oakland, CA

February 11, 2015, 2:05 pm
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Video: BAM Physical Wellness Bootcamp at Laney College, Michael Bennett, Lynn Cole

February 11, 2015, 2:18 pm
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More Video: BAM Physical Wellness Bootcamp at Laney College

February 11, 2015, 3:19 pm
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BAM 27 City Tour Update: San Francisco and Sacramento, Get ready for the BAM Thang!

February 12, 2015, 8:55 pm
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We are happy to announce that Marvin X will be meeting with members of the BAM San Francisco planning comitttee to plan the San Francisco BAM tour of Hunters Point/Bayview, Fillmore, Tenderloin and Lakeview, areas with significant populations of North American Africans. BAM is considering a possible partnership with the San Francisco Juneteenth Committee. The planners (Geoffery Grier, Michael Bennett and Marvin X) will meet with their mentor Rev. Cecil Williams of Glide Church at the earliest, along with his wife Janic
e Mirikitani, a poet who once said, "Through the poetry of Marvin X, I became conscious of my own ethnicity."

Congresswoman to Marvin X and The Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration

FYI, Marvin X received a call today from Congresswoman Barbara Lee's office, who will be sending Marvin X and the Black Arts Movement a commendation for 50 years as artistic freedom fighters. Marvin X was approached at Laney College by a member of her staff. The poet is contemplating what he wants Congresswoman Lee to do as per BAM. The spirit tells Marvin X to tell Congresswoman Lee, "When you become US Ambassador to Cuba, I want you to fly out my family and all BAM members who want to relocate to Cuba."

Assata Shakur, Revolutionary Black Nationalist, BLA, exiled in Cuba

BAM ona move to Sacramento 

The Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour is establishing a partnership with the Sacramento Black Book Fair.  We are working on participating in the Sacramento Black Book Fair with our physical and wellness boot camps, BAM women authors panel, BAM Black Arts Babies panel and a performance by the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra. June, 2015. Stay tuned for more information. 510-200-4164; www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com

Marvin X on Pacifica Radio, Houston, Texas, Sunday, 8:30pm

Marvin X will be interviewed on Pacifica Radio's sister station in Houston, Texas, Sunday, 8:30pm. Sister Akua will interview the brother who is a frequent visistor to Houston, often speaking at Texas Southern University and University of Houston, as well as SHAPE Community Center and elsewhere. 




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Aries Jordan on BAM at Laney College: the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience

February 13, 2015, 1:51 pm
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 Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Marvin X, Mayor Libby Schaaf, holding Naima Joy, Marvin's granddaughter; his grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, Lynette McElhaney, President of Oakland City Council
photo South Park Ken Johnson

Marvin X, thank you for stopping me that day at the jazz festival and taking me on the wild crazy ride called the marvin x experience!--Aries Jordan

Aries Jordan (upper right corner) is a member of the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra. This performance was last year at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival in Oakland. Under Marvin X's mentorship, she has published two collections of poetry.
photo collage by Adam Turner

On February 7th I had the pleasure and honor to be apart of “The 50th anniversary of the Black Arts Movement: Passing the Baton” hosted by Laney College. In the tradition of the Black arts movement the day was filled with movement, visual arts, intellectual debates and performances. The Day began with the wellness boot camp facilitated by Micheal Bennet's wellness team from YMCA HP/ Bayview, that got the participants blood flowing and into our bodies.

The wellness boot camp was followed with a peer group on “How to Recover from White Supremacy facilitated by Dr. Nathan Hare and MSW Suzzette Celeste. The facilitators opened up with a definition of White Supremacy from Marvin X’s book “How to Recover from White Supremacy” and asked participants for their thoughts.

The conversation among the peer group took an intellectual flow and facilitators challenged the group to move beyond intellectual conversations to one more grounded in our everyday experience. It took a while for people to drop into their hearts and remove the mask of intellect. However, the Peer group ended with folks desiring to have more sacred spaces for Blacks to Recover from White Supremacy.
The afternoon included an author’s talk and open mic with some of the Bays gifted authors and performers which included James Gayle, Judy Juanita, Menhuam Ayele and myself.
 
 Elaine Brown, Halifu Osumare, Judy Juanita, Marvin X, Portia Anderson, Phavia Kujichagulia, Aries Jordan
photo South Park Ken Johnson

The highlight of my day was the panel discussions. I had the honor of joining Elaine Brown, Phavia Kujichagulia and Judith Juanita on the women writers panel. As the youngest panelist I had a moment of self doubt as to whether I was even qualified to be sitting at the table with women of this caliber, after all I was probably not even a born during the Black arts Movement. I quickly shook it off and discussed how the Black Arts movement has inspired my writing and challenged me to move beyond my New York hustle to create works of art that challenges the status quo, heals and inspires. My fellow panelist covered a range of topics from spirituality to Black love. I was awed and inspired by the women on the panel. The “Women Writers” panel was followed by the “Black Power Babies” panel
The" Black Power Babies" panel brought together the elders of the Black Arts movement and their offsprings. The conversation was moderated by Davey D who eloquently guided the discussion and asked powerful questions of panelist. Panelist discussed their role in Black Arts Movement and how they attempted to instill the values of the movement in their children. As their children spoke I saw their parents light up as they shared how they have advanced the BAM movement in their own way. The panel got even more interesting as the topic of passing the baton to the next generation came up. The panelist discussed the challenges for elders in passing the baton and the lack of rite of passages for elders. In a society that wants to be forever young our elders struggle to find their place; causing them to hold on to the few opportunities they have to share their wisdom. The panel also discussed elders intently grooming the younger generation to take their place.
The evening continued with a reception for exhibit of visual arts by SanQuentin Prison art and Bay area visual artist. The new Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf, Publisher Paul Cobb of Post News Group and Laney President Elñora Tena Webb presented Marvin X, Black Arts West freedom fighter with a Proclamation. The proclamation acknowledged the Black Arts Movement impact on the United Sates and the world and declared Feb 5th Black Arts movement day. The Mayor also endorsed the Black Arts Movement proposal for a Black Arts District in downtown Oakland. The full day came to a close with a dramatic performance of Marvin X’s play “Flowers for the Trashman” by the Lower Bottom Players. The Poets choir ended the night with electrifying poems that got the crowd going.
The 50th anniversary of the Black arts movement was a success and brought together people from all over the Bay area and some as far as San Diego. The celebration was holistic; feeding mind, body and soul. I was deeply moved by the entire day and left with a sense of responsibility and dedication to continue the tradition of the Black Arts movement. The celebration was inspirational and renewed my commitment to writing. As artist we have the sacred task of using colors, words, sound and movement for spiritual transformation and Black liberation. The Black Arts movement did not do art for the sake of art or applause but as a weapon to reshape the narrative, evolve language and remind us of who really are. Special thanks to organizer Marvin X and all the artist old and young that answered the call!



Rev. Blandon Reems, Aries Jordan, Toya Williams, Marvin X on visit to Juvenile Hall

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Sister Akua of Pacifica Radio Houston, Texas, interviews Marvin X on the Black Arts Movement, Sunday, 8:30pm CT

February 13, 2015, 10:05 pm
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Marvin X interviewed by Zin on Houston's Pacifica Radio Station www.kpft.org. 
On Sunday, February 15, 8:30pm CT, he will be interviewed by Sister Akua Holt on her Pan African Journal show 

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Open Letter from the Black Arts Movement to the Citizens of Oakland CA

February 14, 2015, 5:06 am
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14 February 2015

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2LzLnVfhMs/UtLkiOuqV7I/AAAAAAAAJoc/vDQgTw1RPqA/s1600/1608666_10202206210891013_204039678_n.jpg
 On behalf of the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration participants, and all BAM artistic freedom fighters throughout America, we sincerely thank our wonderful fellow citizens of Oakland who made possible the event at Laney College on February 7, 2015. Firstly, we thank the President of Laney College, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, for being brave enough and wise enough to invite the BAM artistic freedom fighters to her campus. We especially want to thank the Laney College faculty and staff who made the BAM celebration a success, in particular the facilities staff, technicians, security persons, culinary school, business office, art department and curator Dr. Leslee Stradford; and the President's staff: Maisha, Randolph and Brandi. We thank the Laney students and the community who took time from their schedules to learn something about the Black Arts Movement. We understand it was truly an educational experience for many. 

We truly appreciate the support of Mayor Libby Schaaf and President of the City Council, Lynette McElhaney. We look forward to their declaration of the Black Arts Movement District along 14th Street. We think the BAM District will serve as a model for other cities in America who wish to acknowledge the artistic, cultural and economic contributions of North American Africans to this society. We think BAM has and will continue to contribute to the cultural consciousness so urgently needed in this time of broken systems/broken minds. 

We pray that President of Laney College, the Mayor and City Council persons will spread the good word about BAM to other cities as we continue our journey to the 27 cities with significant populations of North American Africans, as suggested by ancestor Amiri Baraka. We suggest the City of Oakland establish a sisterly relationship with the City of Newark, New Jersey, especially since Amiri Baraka's son is the Mayor. As a BAM/Black Power Baby, Mayor Ras Baraka is in the tradition and this Oakland/Newark relationship can contribute new energy and inspiration so needed by both Oakland and Newark, NJ. 

We thank all the participants who gave freely of their time and energy, including the San Quentin Prison artists whose work will be exhibited throughout Black History Month in the Laney Art Gallery. Thanks to the William James Prison Art Project for making the exhibit happen on short notice. Thanks to Paul Cobb and the Post News Group for getting the word out along with LaNiece Jones Associates, KBLX, KPFA and KPOO. Conway Jones, Jr., we appreciate your advice, encouragement and words of inspiration. You said this BAM celebration is the most important event to happen in Oakland in the last 50 years. Thank you Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and US Congresswoman Barbara Lee for your commendations.

Sincerely,
Marvin X,
BAM artistic freedom fighter
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Strong Black Women at the BAM 50th Annivesary Celebration, Laney College, Feb 7, 2015, a marvin x production

February 15, 2015, 9:23 am
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photos lamrichiego Gosha 
  elaine brown, mx, halifu osumare

portia anderson


kujichagulia


 Judy Juanita, novelist, poet, BAM artistic freedom fighter
below: Elaine Brown, singer, Chair of the Black Panther Party
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Poems for reading

February 15, 2015, 8:11 pm
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Christian Terrorists

Ever heard of WWI, WWII, WWIII, yeah, the eternal war on terrorism good for business as usual
Ask Africans was the Good Ship Jesus a nice ride to Mississippi,
Jamaica, Brazil, Cuba
How did Mali music turn into Blues in the Mississippi Delta
Ever heard of the Cross & Lynching Tree
Billi called it Strange Fruit nothin' to eat
Native Americans just love the teachings of Jesus
the small pox syphilis alcoholism wife beating
oh how we love Jesus in the concentration camps
called reservations
Now wasn't Hitler a Christian pure Christian 100%
Wasn't the KKK Christian burning crosses in the name of Jesus
the Blue eyed blond hanging on the cross looking like a hippie
How did blue eyed blonds get to Palestine, Jerusalem
was it on the Ra boat did they come from the river Hapi
Christians sliced Africa at the Berlin Conference
just split the pie Germany took a piece, France, England
Holland, Spain, took Arabia too, Egypt, Iran
did they practice human rights
administer justice kind to women
europeans cry bout Muuuuuuuuuuslims in their midst
how long did they stay in Muuuuuuuuuuuuuslim lands
did they treat Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuslims with tender loving kindness
did they not hang them, beat them, cut off arms legs lips hands
these Christian saviors of the savages saved them from nakedness
saved them from no heart attacks no high blood pressure no AIDS no Ebola
Do they not have 800 Christian army bases around the world today
occupying lands for the rights of corporations who are people too we heard the court say
corporations are people who murder in the name of Jesus rob in the name of Jesus exploit
plunder pollute like Shell in Nigeria India Peru
steal the forests for IKEDA furniture you want
Gold  and diamond mines so Negroes can have bling bling
extract African minerals so Negroes can talk on cell phones
Where you at, where you at, where you at
Is you outside Jesus you ain't back yet
been two thousand years
where you at, where you at, where you at.
Is you ISIS they look like Jesus
Is you Taliban they look like Jesus
Is you Hamas, Hezbollah, they look more like Jesus than Jesus we know
Is Al Quida Jesus
Who is Al Quida anyway
Ain't Al Quida America
Ain't Al Quida who America helped in Afghanistan then left them naked after the Russians ran home
Ain't the Bin Laden family and the Bush family lovers and friends
Bin Laden family flew out of American when nobody else could fly, remember 9/11
Baldwin said these people ain't Christians
your condition proves it
yes, Baldwin said
your condition proves it.
Where you at Jesus with your pretty blond hair pretty blue eyes
drone in the sky
poison water air food poison men women and children
Where you at, where you at, where you at
Oh, you love Native Americans so much
Your good Christian police love Negroes so much, ok they love Africans so
Ask Diallo how much they love Africans or did they think he was a Negro
we all look alike don't we
What's the difference between a Negro and African they both Black ain't they
You made them Christian didn't you
you gave them both the Cross and Lynching Tree
Messed up their minds for the next four hundred years
Dumping bleaching cream by the tons on Africa
Bleaching still in America, look at Sammy Sousa
Remember poor Michael
My grandson said he wanna be white like Michael Jackson
So why you good loving Christians crying bout Muuuuuuuuuuslims in your midst
didn't you make them devils like you
didn't they go to your good Christian colonial schools
didn't they study the Bible while you stole the land
little bait and switch here uh
Oh, now you morn in Europe
Muuuuuuuuuuuslim terrorists Muuuuuuuuuslim terrorists
all Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuslims are terrorists
All Christians are what good guys in white hats
Onward Christian soldiers kill the infidels heathens
drive them from Europe and America like Spain did in 1492
Put them on the Good Ship Muuuuuuuhammad
America is a Christian land Europe is good Christian land
let the world be a good Christian land let Jesus return in a space ship
to save us all, save us all.
where you at, where you at, where you at
--Marvin X
1/15/15
The Negro Knows Everything
by
Marvin X

The Negro knows everything, don't tell him nothing
Cause he knows everything
History of the atom
Construction of the pyramids
Exact location of Bin Laden
How to grow marijuana with air
Everything
Expert
Scientist
Einstein's teacher
The Negro
He knew the world was round trillions of years before the white man
He was with God in the beginning
He knows how to be a loyal slave like no other
His drugs are holistic
He doesn't need treatment, but more drugs
What would a Negro be without drugs, his morning wake up
Start the day right
Ask him which way is east or west
He'll have a nervous breakdown
Wanna fight
Insulting his intelligence
But he knows everything
Does he have an exit plan
Just in case America falls and FEMA is closed?
Does he have water, food, guns?
Of course he does
Think the Negro is stupid
He knows everything
Don't tell him nothing
Leave him alone
He's dangerous to your healthâ?¦..
say peace when you see him.
On her dying bed, my Moma said,
"Marvin, leave them nigguhs aloneâ?¦.."
but I love dem nigguhs, Mama
LEAVE DEM NIGGUHS ALONE
Mama, I love dem sick crazy
hog eatin liquor drinkin
jesus lovin white man creation
nigguhs
MARVIN, LEAVE DEM NIGGUHS ALONE
Mama, I can't stay way from dem nigguhs
dem all nite party get down funky
ugly lookin wig wearin weave headed dreg locked dead locked nigguhs
Dem black african bilalian afro pan centric endemic nigguhs
anti freedom fightin job loving hate doing for self scared fearful
fearless when fightin for the white man
killling each other beatin they wife ass but never touch the white man
cowardly nigguhs
MARVIN, LEAVE DEM NIGGUHS ALONE....
Mama
MARVIN....
Mama but I
MARVIN
Please, Mama can I
MARVIN
I love
MARVIN
Mama dem nigguhs
MARVIN......
And Mama died........
and I love dem nigguhs................
and Mama died and I love dem nigguhs
and Mama died and I love dem nigguhs
and Mama died
and I love dem nigguhs.

10/5/01

Little African Woman

Little African woman
full of wisdom speak
strength of your silence
calls me like the Sirens
silence calms by soul
whisper your love energy
send it my way if you can
I will flow wit da flow
listening to you
screaming silence in my ears
calm down
the deal is done
no rats can bite this cheese
ancestors have this day in the sun
I listen to you
your soft words are the sea
the tide is in and we are happy.
--Marvin X
2/2/15


I AM AMERICAN
I am American
no citizen of the United States
gave that up years ago
in Toronto
protesting US in Vietnam
exiled in Canada
underground to Chicago, Harlem
crucified at Fresno State University
same time Angela Davis was on the cross at UCLA, 1969

I am American
exiled a second time in Mexico City
with all the exiled Americans from the Americas
from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Columbia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Brazil
they call me Pele Pele Pele on the streets of Mexico City
want to touch my hair for good luck

I am American
in Mexico City founded by Africans
now exiled by president for life regimes
we are young men of resistance
and women too, my wife is with me
young men
put aboard planes that landed in Chapultepec Park
cerca de Paseo de Reforma
my wife and I live near the Metro by the park
we see the lovers in the park on Sundays
and we are in love
she is pregnant with our daughter Nefertiti
I am American
I cannot speak with my brothers in exile
Jorge from Choco, Columbia
Enrique from Venezuela
I speak Spanish pochito
muy pochito
no Portuguese
I can only say Poder Negro to my revolutionary amigos.
They comprende
I give them the black power salute
I am American
I flee Mexico City for Belize
I pass through Yucatan, Vera Cruz, Merida, Chetumal
the land of Yanga el Africano Mexicano
Yanga was so bad the Spanish gave him a town
San Lorenzo de los Negroes
down in Vera Cruz
I flee against the advice of my Elizabeth Catlett Mora
my elder revolutionary artist
she begged me not to go
those negroes are in raw colonialism
not neo-colonialism she said
I am American
young and hard headed
easy to lead in the wrong direction
hard to lead in the right direction
I am American

I want to hear English
tired of Spanish
basta ya!
I want to see los Negroes
in Belize
esclavos pero Negroes
yo esclavos tambien
I am American

This is my land the Americas
all of it
I was here before Columbus
Before Maya Aztec Incas Olmec
I was here
I came by canoe from Ghana, Mali, Songhay
from the land of Sonni Ali, Askia the Great
the bling bling of Mansa Musa
a thousand camels with gold on his haj to Mecca

I am American
in Belize los Negroes speak English
pero muy rapido pero English
Espanol tambien
I am American
Norte Americano Africano
Simon Bolivar Americano
Simon Simon Simon

I am American
North Central South American
Caribbean American
I am American
from Toronto, Montreal
to Georgetown, Caracas

Slums of Mexico City are mine
shacks of Belize are mine
madness of Kingston are mine
cocaine of Port of Spain are mine
yes, Trinidad
land of C. Eric Williams
victim of Capitalism and Slavery
Guyana is mine
I interviewed PM Burnham at his residence
Africans with AK47s at his gate
the genocide of Jonestown
assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney
how can we forgive the reactionaries
who never turn into Buddha heads
who never put down their butcher knives

I am American
in Belize I join the revolution of Evan X and Shabazz
on trial for sedition
the government is games old people play
this is sedition
I covered the trial for Muhammad Speaks
this was my sin
a 1970 Wikileaks
exposing the emperor has no clothes
the people have no clothes
no water no electricity no toilet
no nothing
brothers want to know why I left American with no gold
they want to go to American to get the gold
why did I leave without the gold
good question

I am American
the people are rich in Belize
joy and peace, sun and land
gardens of paradise
islands in the sun
I love on Gales Point
a little shack with no water no electricity no bathroom
but I am happy
my wife is pregnant and happy
except for the sand flies
mosquitoes who love her blood
we bathe in the river
the out house is on the other side of the island
the catfish collect the waste
people do not swim on that side of the island

I am American
the people beg me to teach black power
I do not check in with the village headman

a drunk man sings outside my house
day comin ta git ya in da mornin
been down here teachin dat black power
day comin to get ya in da mornin, boy

my wife and I laugh
wish dat drunk nigguh git way from our door
but they come to get me in the morning

I am American
When I get on the boat into the city
five hour ride through the jungle
police on boat
I am under arrest
but don't know it
police undercover
don't say nothing to me
when we get to the city
he don't say nothing
police come to my friends house
call me out
I grab rifle
but put it down
surrender
a mulatto greets me outside
I am under arrest
take me to Ministry of Home Affairs
Minister reads my deportation order
Your presence is not beneficial to the welfare of the British Colony of Honduras
therefore you shall be deported to the United States on the next plane to Miami
leaving at 4pm.
Until then you are under arrest.
Mulatto takes me to police station
I am told to sit down. No cell, no handcuffs.
Soon the police gather around me
I am in the middle of a circle of police
I do not know what's up.
Soon they say, broder man, teach us about black power!
I am American

victim of the slave system
police victims too
teach us broder man.
I say
Marcus Garvey came here in 1923
told you to get the Queen of English off yo walls.
It's 1970 and you still got that white bitch on yo walls.
Get that bitch off yo walls!
police crack up
they say you all ite broder man
They point out uncle tom police
they say he black man wit white heart
black man wit white heart!
I am American

Plane came for me on time. Mulatto pushed me onto the plane. I refused to leave without my wife. The plane door slammed. Fly south to Tegucigalpa, Spanish Honduras.
I ask for asylum . Espera un momento, Negro!
I am marched back onto the plane.
We land in Miami. Two gentlemen greet me at the airport. Escort me to my hotel suite at Dade County Jail. I am put into a pit with dead, deaf dumb and blind negroes.
I call them brother.
They say we ain't yo brother, nigguh. I am silent.
After a few days the gentlemen come to transfer me to Miami City jail, the Federal facility.
White Cuban drug dealers greet me. What do you want, my brother, they say.
You need money, food? We send out for food to the restaurant, what do you want.
I am American
I want hamburger, fries and milkshake!
No problema, hermano!
They give me money to call my wife.
She is home in America.
I am American
Cubans say again, whatever you need just let us know.
I am American
like Simon Bolivar
like Che
like Fidel
Toussaint
like Nat Turner
Grabriel Prosser
Harriet Tubman
Malcolm
Like Garvey
Stokely
CLR James
Padmore
Chavez
Morales
I am American.
--Marvin X
1/29/11
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Black Bird Press News & Review: Sista Akua didn't get enough of the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Part Two, Next Sunday, same time, same station: 8:30pm CT

February 16, 2015, 7:33 am
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Black Bird Press News & Review: Poems from the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience

February 16, 2015, 9:22 pm
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Black Bird Press News & Review: Poems from the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Marvin X and Sun Ra, Master Musician and Philosopher of the Black Arts Movement. Sun Ra arranged the music for Marvin's drama Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business. Marvin produced a five hour concert without intermission with Sun Ra's Arkestra, along with a cast of fifty people, including the cast of TCB and the dancers of choreographers Raymond Sawyer and Ellendar Barnes at the the Hardiing Theatre on Divisadero, San Francisco, 1972. Also, Marvin X and Sun Ra taught in Black Studies at the University of California, Berkeley until the entire faculty was purged for being too radical for white supremacy academia

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Marvin X poem for Bill Collectors so they will never call you again

February 16, 2015, 10:07 pm
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hey, bitch
bitch
bitch
man, woman bitch
don't call me no mo
ever in life
bitch
don't even think about calling me
bout some damn bill
fuck yo bill bitch
fuck you and you bill in you motherfuckin ass
bitch
fuck yu
fuck the white man you represent
bitch
fuck yo brother you mama yo daddy
fuck all you motherfuckers
and I ain't payin shit
fuck you
don't call me no mo bitch
ever in life
I don't care if you man, woman or child
don't call me bitch
white black green yellow
bitch
leave me the fuck alone
with you shit
i ain't payin ya shit
in this life or the hereafter
bitch
fuck you
you daddy too bitch
and fuck all them punk ass little niggers who kiss yo dirty ass hole
fuck them bitches too.
--Marvin X
2/16 15
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February 17, 2015, 10:25 am
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BAM NEWS update: ona move to Berkeley, San Francisco, Sacramento

February 18, 2015, 4:53 pm
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 The BAM 27 City Tour moves on from Oakland to San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento. The Laney College BAM 50th Anniversary Celebration was an unqualified success. Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Marvin X, Mayor Libby Schaaf holding Naima Joy, Marvin's granddaughter, and grandson Jah Amiel, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, President of Laney College, Dr. Nathan Hare and Lynette McElhaney, President of the Oakland City Council.
photo South Park Kenny Johnson


The BAM News reports the 27 City Tour is ona move from Oakland to San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento.
 
We are in the planning stages for the SF Tour in partnership with the Hunters Point/Bay View YMCA Wellness Program, SF Recovery Theatre and the San Francisco Post.

The Berkeley BAM Tour will likely be in partnership with the Black Repertory Group Theatre which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as well.

Marvin X will be a featured writer at the Sacramento Book Fair, June 5-7. He may be joined by BAM poet Sonia Sanchez and co-editors (John Bracey and James Smethurst) of SOS, The Black Arts Movement Reader. We are in conversation with the planners for a  partnership agreement to present the BAM program at the Book Fair.

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John Lewis at San Francisco State University

February 18, 2015, 5:18 pm
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I am writing to our esteemed alumni and community members who were members of the 1968 BSU/TWLF-led strike for whom we have contact information. If you are attending tomorrow¹s event for Mr. John Lewis, please let me know.
Also, if you can arrive before the start time of his talk, between noon and 1pm, we¹ve organized an informal time to meet with a smaller group and the Congressman. Please share this note with former ¹68 strikers and let me know asap who will be in attendance.
Thank you,  
Ken Monteiro 



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