Poetry: Emotional Knowledge—Nikki Giovanni Reflects on Life

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By Kathryn Millhorn

nikki giovanniIn this digital day and age, it might seem hard to find poetry in our everyday lives.  But it is all around us, as it ever was, because—as John Fowles once said—“we all write poems; it is simply that poets are the ones who write in words.”

One of our greatest national poets is the award-winning Nikki Giovanni.  She writes, speaks, teaches, and tours, lecturing on the power of civil rights, the importance of the individual, and our intrinsic ability to change.  Amongst her achievements she has won NAACP Image Awards and the Langston Hughes Medal for poetry, topped best seller lists, been a Grammy finalist, deemed Woman of the Year for numerous publications, and even had a new species of bat named after her!

On Thursday, February 20 she will speak at the South Puget Sound Community College’s 2014 ‘Artist and Lecture Series.’  The theme for this year is ‘Reflections’ and hopes to feature diversity in all its varied formats. Giovanni was invited to participate as part of African American History Month and her active civil rights and equality work make her a prime example of that journey.  As she once said, “I am totally fascinated by people and our history as I understand and continue to explore it. People have so much to give and so far to go and yet we have given and gone a great distance. It’s really just interesting to ask: why not? And see where that takes me.”

As part of the evening’s event, Ms. Giovanni will take questions from the students and audience members.  While touring the country, she “is working on some new projects and will continue to teach, travel, and visit schools.”

The event will take place at 7:30pm at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center on the SPSCC campus and is free to students and faculty.  Community members are encouraged to buy their tickets by calling 360-753-8586 or purchasing online for only $7.

The Thurston County area is blessed  to have talented artists and educators visit our very doorstep and share their wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion.  This evening with one of poetry’s greats promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from a master.  Nikki Giovanni’s vast and varied history offers something for everyone and should not be missed!

 

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