#reginald james

Poetic Protest in Alameda

On Thursday, January 20th, while President George Bush was enjoying his $40 million inaugural celebration, protesters around the country voiced dissent in what many call his second illegitimate election.  

In the Peralta District, the College of Alameda Black Student Union hosted “Poetic Protest: Electoral Politics 2005, giving students an opportunity to voice their feelings on everything from the War in Iraq to the voting booths in Ohio.  The event was well-publicized in the community; there were at least 50 attendees, including Alameda students and staff, as well as poets and people from throughout the Bay.

College of Alameda Faculty Advisor, Wanda Sabir, did a superb job emceeing the event, reminding students to utilize their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech.  

Rafael Jesus Gonzalez, visual artist, poet and retired Laney professor (where he founded of the Mexican and Latin American Studies Department), felt the money used by Bush to celebrate his reelection could have been spent in the Peralta Community College District, Oakland Public School System, or to the Tsunami victims in Asia. In his poem, "For a Forty-Million-Dollar Coronation," he reminded us that, we must tell the emperor, that he has no clothes, for “It is not enough to vote for our officials, we must keep tabs on them and keep them humble.”

Alameda’s poet laureate, Mary Rudge was also in attendance and shared her story of how her and her children were once evicted from the land where the College of Alameda stands to make way for its construction.  In her poem, she expressed her concern with the education system and how our education is built on punishment because of the culture of violence this country has utilized since its inception.  Her poem, “Advice for handling a crying child”, was a cry for parents to show affection to their children.

Richard Moore, a.k.a. "Paradise," shared a wonderful poem highlighting the hypocrisy of television and the entertainment world today. “The whole world is mixed up, the number #1 golfer is black and the number #1 rapper is white.” Paradise spoke about society’s desire to be black, but their lack of desire to suffer the social consequences, “they want the black neighborhood, but not the black neighbors?” “I love everything about you, but you.”

Oscar Carter, known as "Tingi Lau," a “Hiphop artist before Rap Crap”, shared a poem inspired by the death of Terrance Kelley of Richmond.  Lau asked, “How can we change this, what can we try?  So others like Terrance won’t have  to choose, college of die.”  Lau also shared a poem about WMDs; “Women and  Men, Dying”, everyday.

He was followed by Jo Annette "Abini" Mitchell, whose  poem, “Creator,” asked the world’s  creator to  bring justice to the world, while the next poet from the audience, Helen Montminy described how she wanted the world to be.  

George Julius Theodore, recipient of the 2004 Pen Oakland Award, shared his  award-winning poem "Faces," a poem that caused the 19 year old West Valley College (San Jose) sophomore, a student at James Lick High School then, to be arrested and detained.

College of Alameda student, Reggie James, shared a poem he finished just minutes before about the Bush family’s historical connection to the war on drugs. 

“The CIA traded guns for funds, the Bush family introduced crack to the slums.”  After critiquing President Clinton’s highly publicized escapades, James brought the audience up to speed on the younger Bush’s objectives: “First Afghanistan, Iraq, now Iran, the recruiter calls my housing saying, “˜Uncle  SAM needs you man’, and so I ran”, echoing many young people’s concerns over  the possible reinstatement of the draft. James also shared a story how his family was just months ago forced from their home in Alameda by their landlord, through no fault of their own.  

Throughout the event, the “Prayer for World Peace” was read in unison by those in attendance. People were also encouraged to visit the Alameda Peace Network table for continuing organizing events and meetings.  

“We preserve our freedoms by practicing them, and practicing them with the  responsibility that freedom brings.” Rafael Jesus Gonzalez stated, which is   the reason why the BSU decided to provide Thursday's forum, an event, Laney   faculty, Dawn Alicia Fisher, stated was so needed. "I voted in Florida in 2000, and my families in Ohio. I am so happy you are doing this today!"

The event ended with the group holding hands and singing a song of peace, led by Alameda resident musician, (Lady) Sunrise.