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Marvin X and Dr. J. Vern Cromartie--a Marvin X Scholar. This photo is from the celebration for Amiri Baraka's 75th birthday, produced by Marvin X at the San Francisco Jazz Heritage Center in the Fillmore District. Photo by Kamau Amen Ra

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Parables and Fables of Marvin X

Parables and Fables of Marvin X

Contents

Fable of the Black Bird

Parable of A Real Woman

Plato Negro on the Cell Phone

\Parable of the Man With the Gun in Hand

Parable of the Gangsta

Fable of the Rooster and the Hen

Parable of the Pit Bull

Parable of Black Man and Block Man

Fable of the Sleeping Lion

Parable of the Baby Carriage

Parable of the Woman in the Box

Parable of the Fire

Parable of the Basket

Parable of the Man Who Wanted to Die

Plato Negro on Suic

March 18, 2010

Raynard Jackson

As the debate over healthcare finally comes to an end, I have been amazed and almost embarrassed at how the Republicans have responded to the Democrats creative maneuverings to get the bill up for a vote. The Democrats have decided to use a parliamentary rule called reconciliation.

So, the Republican’s response? To whine and complain about how unfair the Democrats are being to the minority party. Republicans, STOP IT!! Grow a pair. Elections have consequences. So, if

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I Am John Coltrane

I am John Coltrane
not with horn
but pen
beyond words to silence
not sound
words sacred
profane obscene
no proper politically correct
beyond bourgeoisie culture police
revolutionary puritans

who say
don't say nigguh but kill nigguhs at every turn
turn holy in prison doing push ups after killing all nigguhs in the hood
don't say motherfucker
but fuck their mothers, daughters, sons and anything else under the sun
but don't say motherfucker
don't say bitch

while they are t

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Parable of the Baby Carriage

There was a young couple arguing on the street, downtown Oakland. Two young girls were with them, one in a baby carriage and the other tagging along in silent terror. As they crossed the street, an old white woman was shouting at the young man to stop talking so disrespectfully to the woman who appeared to be his wife or partner, she was obviously the mother of the children, but it is not clear he was the father, more than likely he was the fat

Public Hearing:
Protecting Harlem's Historic African Burial Ground

Friday, March 19

> official website

Friday, March 19th, 2010, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Location:

• Elmendorf Reformed Church
  171 East 121st Street
  Between Lexington and 3rd Avenues
  New York, NY, 10035-3588

• Friday, March 19, 2010 @ 2:00 pm

If anybody is in doubt about the futility and failure of Nigeria’s democracy, that doubt should have been dispelled by the farcical and ignoble displays that have been happening, and is still happening since our erstwhile President, Umar Yar ‘Adua went missing in November 2009 and up till now, the majority of Nigerians are still no wiser about the true state of his health or his ability to rule the
country.

This is amidst a deadly concoction of political high stakes and intrigues, arrogant and del

If anybody is in doubt about the futility and failure of Nigeria’s democracy, that doubtshould have been dispelled by the farcical and ignoble displays that have beenhappening, and is still happening since our erstwhile President, Umar Yar ‘Aduawent missing in November 2009 and up till now, the majority of Nigerians arestill no wiser about the true state of his health or his ability to rule thecountry.

This is amidst a deadly concoction of political high stakes and intrigues, arrogant anddelibera

In every human social order, there are sacred symbols of cultural respect. Traditions establish a foundation for adherence to ancestral rituals, mores and ceremonies. This was the historical significance of the unfurling of the tricolor red, black and green flag of African Redemption before 25, 000 people of Madison Square Garden, New York on Aug. 1, 1920.

At this opening of the First International Convention, the Provisional Government, Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) raised the