Monthly Archives: March 2013
Happy International Women’s Day
To my mother (RIP), who birthed me, raised me, taught me how to thrive in a world trying to cripple me, and who loved me tough but unconditionally; I know that you are watching over me even today. There are no words I could ever write that could do justice to who you are and what you mean to me. Happy International Women’s Day. I Love You.
To my Grandma Smith (RIP), who was there during my early childhood years, teaching, listening, walking, nurturing, and helping to lay the foundation for my current happiness before leaving this world, first mentally (Alzheimers) and then physically. Happy International Women’s Day. I Love You.
To my Grandma Lindsey (RIP), the first poet I ever knew and the most influential figure in my willingness to share my truth through poetry, prose, verbal communication, and in action. You were the one who told me “those people aren’t going to like what you have to say, but to keep saying it because it’s the truth”. I always remembered those words as people encouraged me to tone it down. Because you believed in my writing, it never mattered to me whether anyone else did. Happy International Women’s Day. I Love You.
To my Wife, Tasha King, you are the bridge that allowed me move past anger and into the realm of love. You are the first person that made me look beyond the hypocrisy of the people of the church and encouraged me to walk the Christian path without the constant condemnation and threats of hell. You are the completion of my soul, the perfect compliment to my being, the rib removed from my side and given to me as an eternal companion. You are the angel that God sent to ensure my happiness. Happy International Women’s Day. I Love You.
To every beautiful woman that I’ve ever crossed paths with. Crushes that helped me avoid alcoholic vices. Soldiers who stood by my side plotting revolution. Confidants and sisters that I could turn to in desperate times. Unselfish women who pushed me to become a better man. Patient women who challenged me to work through my prejudices and ignorance as they helped me expand my view on everything I thought I knew. Sheroes, who taught me there are no limits, no boxes, no challenges capable of stopping me from getting to that place God has chosen for me. To my friends, sisters, aunts, great-grandmothers, mother-in-laws, step-mothers, cousins, co-workers, ancestors, and every woman that has every influenced me, I thank you for everything. Happy International Women’s Day. I Love You.
To each of you, I could pour out my soul every single day and still feel like I’ve done you an injustice. Who you are and what you mean to me goes far beyond words, but I use them in hopes that future generations will come to appreciate you as much as I have. Every single one of you has made my life richer and more fulfilled. Adam gave you a rib, but I owe everything to you. Happy International Women’s Day. I Love You.
Be blessed and have a beautiful day.
Sunday Evening Reflections: Giving Back
Serving others can be an up and down ordeal that takes you on a roller coaster ride. At times you’ll find yourself putting your heart and soul into something that no one else seems to care about. Other times people will question your motive, down talk your effort, and go out of their way to try and keep you from gaining momentum… and then there are the times where others try to steal some of your shine after they see the success of the seeds you planted.
Each of these negative reactions to your efforts serve to discourage and even make you ask the question, “why are you wasting your time trying to help?” Why are you stressing yourself out trying to give back, lift up, push forward? Wouldn’t it be easier to quit doing quit trying to help others and focus on yourself?
Truthfully, the answer depends on you, but I’ll say this: If helping others is at the core of who you are. If giving back is the purpose God sent you here with. If helping someone to stand up is the thing that brightens your day.. then no, it’s not easier to quit and focus on yourself. To put it another way, there is nothing easy about living a life that doesn’t reflect your purpose and doesn’t align with your core, and if giving back is what you were sent here to do, then there’s no way you will find happiness doing anything other than giving back.
On the other hand, if you’re giving back to impress someone or to create the false impression that you care when you don’t… then yes, focusing on yourself is probably the path for you… and that’s just being real. ~ Sean King
Have a wonderful evening and a blessed week family. May all your prayers be answered. God willing/Insha’Allah.
Poetic Voices’ marks celebration of black history
‘Poetic Voices’ marks celebration of black history
Photo Credit: Stephan StarnesAnna Marie Sprowl delivers one of her many poems to CRC students and staff at the Poetic Voices event on Feb 13.
March 1, 2013
Filed under News
Students and staff trickled into the Recital Hall at Cosumnes River College to observe Black History Month through Poetic Voices, a poetry reading event held on Feb. 13 featuring three prominent and published writers whose roots are right here in Sacramento.
Emmanuel Sigauke, an English professor at CRC, organized the event for students, faculty and community members as an opportunity to celebrate African-American culture in a creative and expressive way.
“This is an honor for our Black History Month,” Sigauke said as he introduced Laura Cook, Anna Marie Sprowl and Sean King as the guest artists at this event. “Bringing them to CRC is a dream come true.”
In Sacramento, poetry events are held almost every night of the week and Sigauke wanted “to bring interesting, poetic voices to campus.”
As a preface to the guest speakers, Sigauke invited audience members to come up and share some of their own poetic work in a “mini-open mic” setting.
“I always want to involve the CRC students,” Sigauke said as he spoke to the crowd of more than 40 students and staff members, including CRC President Deborah Travis.
Alexander Stallings, a 19-year-old theater and radio broadcast major, was one of the students who shared his work at the beginning of the event.
“It gives more of an understanding of how important this is in African-American culture,” Stallings said. “It gives me inspiration.”
After students read their poetry, each guest spent about 15 minutes sharing their own work with the audience and left many members wanting more but still feeling inspired.
Each poet spoke of individual emotions, feelings and experiences.
King’s ending line in his poem about Martin Luther King Jr. was that “you cannot assassinate a spirit, you can only kill a man.” Cook advised to not “wander too long in other people’s darkness.”
Along with the historical and cultural insights, Poetic Voices also embodied emotional elements.
“Poetry is a passion,” said Alexis Senegal, a 26-year-old psychology major. “It has the ability to reach and connect and get attention, and that’s incredible.”
– See more at: http://www.thecrcconnection.com/news/2013/03/01/poetic-voices-marks-celebration-of-black-history/#sthash.oLu6kEPX.6XcYoIVa.dpuf
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