To Muslim Americans, With Love

I, Too

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BY LANGSTON HUGHES

I, too, sing America. 

I am the darker brother. 

They send me to eat in the kitchen 

When company comes, 

But I laugh, 

And eat well, 

And grow strong. 

Tomorrow, 

I’ll be at the table 

When company comes. 

Nobody’ll dare 

Say to me, 

“Eat in the kitchen,” 

Then. 

Besides, 

They’ll see how beautiful I am 

And be ashamed— 

I, too, am America.

Source: Hughes, Langston, Arnold Rampersad, and David E. Roessel. The collected poems of Langston Hughes. New York: Knopf, 1994. Print.

Nat Turner Could Preach!

For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth…” Isaiah 42:14-16

After teaching my afternoon class today, I went to Germantown, Maryland to see the film, The Birth of a Nation. The film was co-written and directed by starring actor, Mr. Nate Parker. I was excited for a chance to see this film that I have been waiting for in anticipation for many years. In recent years, I imagined or hoped that Spike Lee would take on the project or maybe John Singleton. Besides, I thought that Singleton did a great job on Rosewood, which was also a period film. However, one of my favorite actors, Nate Parker, took on this historically riveting and controversial narrative and I was not disappointed.

Before I arrived at the theater, I read a few of the reviews from “reputable” media sources. Many of them trashed the film. They spoke of the numerous historical inaccuracies of the film and declared it a failure. They even revealed pertinent scene information that I considered a definite spoiler alert. However, I did not go to see this film in search of historical accuracy. Sure, I initially looked for correlations in my understanding of the narrative, but when I saw what Parker was trying to convey, I understood. It's art. I know the history of Nat Turner. I have been aware of his history for as long as I can remember; however, I saw the director’s interpretation of the that history as a sort of creative nonfiction.

For instance, the narrative of the insurrection and battles against armed militia as they pressed towards Jerusalem (present-day Courtland, Virginia) was historically inaccurate. There was even a change in the narrative of how Nat Turner was eventually caught, but I thought, ‘what does it matter?’ He was caught. He was captured, dismembered, executed, and mutilated beyond imagination. So, yes, I noticed the differences in the film, but that didn’t bother me.

I was more concerned by how hurried the film seemed in its storytelling. For instance, I wanted to see more of Nat and Cherry’s (Aja Naomi King) relationship as husband and wife. I wanted to see Nat as a teenager and his development into a young preacher. There seemed to be a rush to get to the insurrection, which, by the way, I did not find particularly gory as it was described by other reviewers. In fact, the director seemed to spare us much of the gore that happened in the true, historical narrative.

Also, there is somewhat of an emphasis on religion and African heritage. There are many scenes that seem to honor the African ancestors as well as their language and traditions. For instance, the opening scene depicts a sort of ritual involving the young Nat Turner (Tony Espinosa), and the circle of participants were speaking in an African language. Also, Nat’s character mentions his grandparent who was brought directly from Africa. Along with the Great God Almighty, Africa becomes Nat Turner’s source of strength, identity, and perseverance.  

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 1 Samuel 15:3 

As for religion, the director does not criticize the Bible or Christianity. Rather, he points out the use of the Bible as a justification for slavery. He also uses Nat Turner to dismantle and tear apart the misinterpretations and untruths associated with the Bible, servitude, and the dutiful slave.

Well, should you go and see the film? Yes, I urge everyone to see The Birth of Nation. Perhaps you will see something different, but I predict that it will, at least, cause you to think. Also, we cannot deny the timeliness of the film considering what is going on here in the United States with the killing of young black men. God help us – God help us all. Meanwhile, rise! Rise! Rise!

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  Psalm 96:1-3

Amen

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars out of 5

Lingering question from Longfellow

The Slave Singing at Midnight

By:  Henry Wadsworth  Longfellow

Loud he sang the psalm of David!

He, a Negro and enslaved,

Sang of Israel's victory,

Sang of Zion, bright and free.

In that hour, when night is calmest,

Sang he from the Hebrew Psalmist,

In a voice so sweet and clear

That I could not choose but hear,

Songs of triumph, and ascriptions,

Such as reached the swart Egyptians,

When upon the Red Sea coast

Perished Pharaoh and his host.

And the voice of his devotion

Filled my soul with strange emotion;

For its tones by turns were glad,

Sweetly solemn, wildly sad.

Paul and Silas, in their prison,

Sang of Christ, the Lord arisen.

And an earthquake's arm of might

Broke their dungeon-gates at night.

But, alas! what holy angel

Brings the Slave this glad evangel?

And what earthquake's arm of might

Breaks his dungeon-gates at night?

What's Going On?

You know, sometimes I have to abandon the idea of posting something about poetry, photography, or history and just share. Today is one of those days. I have about 30 minutes left before I fight traffic to get home. I'm getting used to it (traffic); well, if one can get used to the traffic in the DC metropolitan area; it's rough. I miss the days of riding the train and bus home while I read my books. Now, I have to make time to read. Plus, public transportation is full of inspiration for writing. Otherwise, I'm blessed. My job is very challenging, but I enjoy it. I actually take work home and don't mind working on it.

Tonight, I go to Bible study. Some of you know this about me, but some of you don't. I'm a preacher's son turned born again Christian. As for Bible study, I have to keep up with the WORD. He is my ultimate comforter. He instructs me and governs my life (when I allow Him to do so). You see, It's a growing process. If you were a friend of mine last year this time you would know a slightly different Stephen (I've never been too wild). Well, I pray that I will submit to Him even more in days to come. If you pray, then pray for me and I'll do the same for you. Well, sharing time is over. Can you dig it? What's going on with you. Somebody talk to me. Peace~

Mahalia Jackson

The Lord's Prayer

Mahalia Jackson is the perfect way to start off the New Year. Tell me, who could sing the spirituals like Mama Mahalia? The mere sound of her voice takes you back to that old country church that your grandmother would attend. It's that church that sits far back from the road and there is a long dusty road that leads to it. There were no musicians in the church our grandmothers attended; there was just the humming of voices, the clapping of hands, the tapping of shoes on wooden floor panels, and a tambourine. I thank God for this "Black Pearl" from New Orleans, who sang songs that blessed the young, the old, and the souls of ancestors. Mahalia Jackson represents that old time religion that we need so desperately today. God bless Mahalia Jackson and God bless you in 2008. Peace~

Sources: Biblegateway.com and Wikipedia.org

The Light

John 8:12

"...Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

A Psalm for the Times

I want to share with you one of my favorite Psalm . I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I hope for many blessings to you and your loved ones on this holiday weekend. Peace~