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Marvin X Gives Barefoot Lecture
on Radical Spirituality
By
Marvin X
Poet Marvin X opened his reading on
Radical Spirituality by revealing to the audience he had
left home without shoes. He had on flip flops but by the
end of his performance, his shoes arrived via his
daughter Nefertiti. Also in the audience was his
daughter Amira, grandson James and niece Ariana. Also
present were his friend/companion Suzzette Celeste, her
mother and brother. His performance opened with the
essay “Love and Spirituality,” accompanied by the music
of Elliott Bey who provided the healing sounds for the
poetic essays, including “Ancestors” and “Prison.”
He also talked about sectarianism and
transcending religiosity to embrace radical
spirituality. "We must jump out of the box like Jack, "
he said, "Jump out of religious boxes, strive toward
spirituality. Religiosity keeps us going up the mountain
like Sisyphus, only to fall down to begin again, never
reaching the top where God awaits." Later he was
corrected by Suzzette Celeste, who informed him even the
process up the mountain is a divine effort.
The voice of X and the sounds of Bey
could be heard throughout the African American
Museum/Library, bouncing off the walls of the Paul
Robeson exhibit, the artistic freedom fighter with whom
Marvin X identifies one hundred percent.
This was the first reading of
Toward Radical Spirituality, the latest manuscript
by the poet. Later Saturday evening, Marvin X and
Elliott Bey exploded again at the Berkeley Art Center.
According to venue operators, the energy had never been
so high.
The following is an email Marvin X
received from a person who attending the Berkeley
performance:
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Hello Dear Brother:
I have had a chance to
read the first few chapters of your book,
"Wish I Could Tell You The Truth," after
seeing you perform at the Berkeley Art
Center last night. You are truly a prophet
and a treasure! Your honesty is exhilarating
and scary. I am thankful that you survived
hell to return to talk about it.
However, I sense that you
need a community of people holding you up in
prayer every minute of every day. Consider
me one of them. Thank you for generously
giving me copies of your poems that you read
from. I re-read the poems, and pulled out
"For the Women," but was unable to find much
elaboration on the title, although "In
Search of My Soul Sister" did continue that
theme. Your commentary on "Nigguh" was right
on! I am looking forward to reading your
next book. It was a pleasure to have met you
in person!
Blessings, Delores |
posted 29 June 2006 |
