Tonight, Oakland poet Marvin X broke down into tears as he tried to read his poem on his recently departed friend Nisa Bey during the Black Muslim Atlantic Conference at Duke University, Durham NC.
photo James Rhodes
He came to the mike following a lecture by famed Islamic scholar Sylvian Diouf on Islam and the Blues.
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Marvin got the Islamic Blues soon after arriving in Durham. He received the news in an email from
Marvin got the Islamic Blues soon after arriving in Durham. He received the news in an email from
Khalid Wajib, who was a member of San Francisco Mosque #26 along with Marvin and Nisa Bey, 1967.
Nisa and Marvin X had recently discussed completing their book project Seven Years in the House of Elijah. The poet, tears running down his face (someone ran up to give him a tissue), said he was sad but happy to let the Duke University audience learn about the great woman Nisa Bey, her spirit has gone coast to coast, especially on the occasion of the Black Muslim Atlantic Symposium. He shared comments from writer Fahizah Alim and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson.
"I am so so sadden by the News of the transition of Sister Nisa Bey. Daily she demonstrated her deep, deep love for Black people, she always gave of herself, she sacrificed her own life for our people. We were very blessed to have had her in our Community, a person who spoke “Truth to Power”. Sister Nisa Bey will live on through the many, many lives she touched along her journey! I, we are all in better place today because of the sacrifice, dedication and life of Sister Nisa Bey! May God, Allah take her into the kingdom and give her rest, peace and the rewards she so richly deserve!"
Keith Carson
May Allah forgive her, have mercy on her and and admit her soul into paradise...O’ Allah bless her family and grant them patience during their time of grieving for their loss.
May Allah forgive her, have mercy on her and and admit her soul into paradise...O’ Allah bless her family and grant them patience during their time of grieving for their loss.
ASA, Nadar Ali
Good-bye Miss Hollywood
For Nisa Islam Bey
The Incomparable Sister Queen Nisa Islam Bey
"It was her fashionable modesty, yet gleaming beauty that captured my attention when I first visited Temple #26, compelling me to find out more about the NOI and later join. We became Sisters In Islam as well as friends...." --Fahizah Alim
Bismillah r Rahman r Rahim
No woman we knew
In the Nation of Islam
Was more flamboyant than you
O great Sister Nisa
National MGT Captain
Trainer of Women
Studied modeling in NYC
Elijah said model for Allah
You said ok but
Them mother Hubbard colors
Got to go
Queens need dresses hot spicy
Like a Houston night
Nisa so hot spicy
Mosque#26 wanted to put her out
Elijah heard so much about her
He said send her to me
He loved her flamboyance
Good hustling spirit
Hard working Virgo
Made her National Sister Captain
Trained women coast to coast
Lived in the house of Elijah
Across the hall from Clara
First lady of Islam
Talked with Clara many nights
Of joy and pain in the Nation of Islam
Sometimes Clara cried
Made Nisa cry
Sisterly disrespect
MGT
Nisa loved a man
Like no woman ever loved
Elijah said no
He ain't the man for you
He cried for her wanting her
Lover man
He ain't the man for you
Elijah said again and again
The man came to Chicago
Begging for her hand
Finally Elijah said ok
Go head damn fool
Hard headed Negro
So called
Marry him
She did
Mr. Wonderful
But. Elijah was right
Mr Wonderful
Wasn't always Wonderful
He fought
She fought back
Said it was her Native American blood
She wasn't no chump
At Elijah's house she was free
Every day til dinner at 4PM
She had to be there
Table talks with the Messenger
He read everybody's mind
Knew their thoughts
Did he kill Malcolm she asked
He said no sister
I loved Malcolm
Then he cried
As salaam alaikum
Warrior Queen
Nisa Islam Bey
Surely we are from Allah
To Him we return.
--MARVIN X
1/30/20
Duke University
Black Muslim Atlantic
Marvin X East Coast Book Tour
Next Stop
Philly, Newark
Oakland
January 25, Saturday, 12 Noon
Marvin X Welcomes NCobra Reparations gathering in the BAMBD
Joyce Gordon Gallery
14th and Franklin Streets
Downtown Oakland
Host Jahahara
Dirty South
Durham, North Carolina
January 30-31
Reading at Duke University
Black Muslim Atlantic Symposium
Host Ellen McLarney, Professor
of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Dr. Ellen McLarney
East Coast, UpSouth
Philadelphia
Sunday, February 2
Moonstone Poetry
Fergie's Pub
1214 Sansom St
2PM
Marvin X, accompanied by Elliott Bey on keyboards
Elliott Bey
Host Larry Robin
Newark NJ
Friday February 7
4-6PM
Source of knowledge
Book store
876 Broad Street
Marvin X reading/book signing
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Friday February 7, 7PM
Pop up Print Shop
83 Halsey Street
2nd floor
Marvin X will read, sign books
Newark NJ Mayor Ras Baraka and Marvin X
Philadelphia
Saturday February 8
Culture Works
1315 Walnut St
Room 320
Reading, book signing
5-7pm
dinner available
Hosts Sisters Zakiyyah, Nisa Ra
Saturday, February 8th
EMN Channel Studios Television Taping (time TBA)
Sunday, February 9th
3pm-5pm talk and book signing
A & W Community Room
62nd & Ludlow Street
co-sponsored by www.houseofumoja.net