Mirror Mirror
the audio for this poem is temporarily unavailable/
We know you knew about Inner City Blues.
We know you knew about Thug Life.
And wanted to save the children.
And would answer if your homie calls.
Everybody loved you after the dance giving sexual healing.
You got around asking what’s your phone number and how do you want it?
A breach birth because you were born on the East Coast headed for Hollywood.
A breach birth because you were born on the East Coast headed for Hollywood.
On your label hot acts like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
On your label hot acts like Snoop Doggy Dogg and the Dogg Pound.
Mercy mercy me nobody told them whats going on like you.
I ain’t mad at cha because you gotta keep your head up.
Some said you were so negative some said so positive.
Some said you were so negative some said so positive.
My favorite lyric, “ ” yeah that one.
My favorite lyric, “ ” yeah that one.
It was hectic during your lifetime the war the riots and all.
It was hectic during your lifetime the war the riots and all.
You were a troubled man.
You saw death around the corner.
So sad you life ended so young.
So sad you life ended so young.
It makes me wanna holla.
It makes me feel trapped against all odds.
People still love your music.
People still love your music.
Your style was complex in its simplicity.
Your style was complex in its simplicity.
We miss you 2Pac we miss you Tupac Shakur.
We miss you Marvin we miss you Marvin Gaye.
By Kemit Mawakana (aka The Seven-Foot Poet)
Peace (when appropriate) War (when necessary)
Copyright 1998.
Kemet Mawakana (aka “The Seven-Foot Poet”) is a highly acclaimed spoken-word artist, and has published two books A . . . Z . . . Infinity and Crucifixion of My Soul. The collective body of his works presented weekly in BAR are in tribute to Listervelt Middleton, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and “For The People”. Currently, he is a facilitator at AYA Educational Institute (www.ayaed.com) and can be reached at sevenfootpoet@gmail.com.
The late John H. Bracey, Jr. argued that Black Studies should be wedded to African liberation, not to the corporate-bureaucratic structure of the university.
The U.S. has declared China to be an adversary, but its economic prowess cannot be eclipsed by a nation that is addicted to provocation and war making.
This week’s featured author is Brian Jones. Jones is Director of The New York Public Library’s Center for Educators and Schools. His book is The Tuskegee Student Uprising: A History.
This week’s featured scholar is Moya Bailey. Bailey is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Northwestern University. Her article is “The Ethics of Pace.”
