FYI: The Malcolm X Jazz Festival is held annually in San Antonio Park, in the general vicinity of Fruitvale Station, if im not mistaken From Marvin X Jackmon: Dear Friends of EastSide, This years Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival will pay special tribute to the great Afro-American revolutionary poet and activist, AMIRI BARAKA, who recently transitioned to join the ancestors. Amiri was a great friend and key advisor to the ESAA who over the past two decades performed, led forums, taught workshops, collaborated with musicians and other artists, and even produced and directed a jazz opera at EastSide Cultural Center. He was an inspirational teacher who constantly engaged us to critically analyze the function of cultural activism and the social issues of the day. He insisted that Black and all Third World self-determination required 1) a program and conscious mission, 2) organization (collectives, coalitions, united fronts), and 3) independent institution building. We strive to meet those criteria in our cultural work. Baraka, the Father of the Black Arts Movement in the 60s was already a renown poet and playwright who continually and fearlessly re-examined and re-invented himself, his philosophy and leadership role to overcome shortcomings and to move us all forward collectively. The struggle for Black liberation was at the soul of his journey, and sustained his internationalism. Amiri Barakas personal and public changes and contributions should provide many lessons for us to acknowledge our connection to the breadth of history and the fleeting mortality of our own existence, and to renew our own lifes commitment to work for a more just world.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 05:50:37 +0000
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