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(10/24/17 12:11am)
By Nadir Roberts
Staff Writer
The Library auditorium was packed on Thursday, Oct. 19 with dozens of poets, listeners and supporters of INK’s Visiting Writers Series. This time the poet was Danez Smith, who provided a vivacious performance and captivated the audience.
Smith’s multitude of awards and accomplishments make them an astounding poet and author.
In 2014, Smith won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry, in addition to being a two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Finalist, and three-time Rustbelt Poetry Slam Individual Champion. Smith also has two poetry chapbooks, and two books entitled “[Insert] Boy” and “Don’t Call Us Dead.”
From the very moment Smith stepped foot on the stage, Smith had the crowd involved and excited.
When asked how Smith always conjured up their excitement to perform, they said that being a comedian was their dream job and that their appreciation for stand up leads to their outgoing and happy nature.
“The more energy y’all give, the more the performer does,” Smith said.
Smith discovered their love for poetry and spoken word their freshman year of high school through a theater assignment. Since then they have been writing poetry and performing.
“My blood is in cahoots with the law but today I can say I’m alive,” said Smith in one of their pieces.
Smith’s poetry for the night revolved around the topics of their personal life, problems in black America and their sexuality.
Isiah Sams, a sophomore philosophy major, listened to Smith for the first time and was astonished.
“(Smith) was amazing,” Sams said. “I wasn’t expecting this type of performance — it was mind blowing.”
As an aspiring poet, Sams liked that Smith incorporated their personal experiences into their poetry and writing.
“It sets (them) apart,” Sams said.
Smith’s performance provided a fun lighthearted time, but also carried a rather serious tone.
Smith was able to capitalize on many prevalent issues not addressed regularly about racism in America, and their experiences as a queer black male. With titles like “Genesissy,” “Alternate Heaven for Black Boys” and “Dinosaurs in the Hood,” their pieces sent a strong message to the audience.
Throughout the night, many snaps were heard but their poem, “Dear White America,” seemed to resonate most with the audience.
“Because there is no Amber Alert for the Amber Skinned Girls! Because our heroes always end up shot or shootin-up!” Smith shouted.
Toward the end of Smith’s set, Smith opened up a Q&A session and offered critical advice for upcoming poets and writers.
“You have to write what scares you,” Smith said. In addition, Smith suggested that students take a theater class, seek mentorship and most importantly read.
Before Smith took hold of the crowd, the night kicked off with two performers from the College.
The 2017 spring and fall “Slam Down The Walls” poetry slam champions, Kendel Stiles, a junior political science major, and Kristen Cefaloni, a mathematics and secondary education dual major, shared their own pieces and captivated the crowd.
Cefaloni had the opportunity to be an opening act for Smith, and said she was “blown away” by their performance. As co-publicist, Cefaloni loves what INK has been able to do, both personally and for the community.
“It’s nice to sit down with creative writers, ” Cefaloni said. The event was for poets and nonpoets alike. “It’s great for people who aren’t English majors but enjoy poetry and writing.”
Update (10/26/2017 10:46 a.m.) The print edition of this article incorrectly included references to Smith with the pronouns "he/him/his." The online edition has been updated to reflect Smith's preferred pronouns, they/them/their.
(10/17/17 1:00am)
By Nadir Roberts
Correspondent
Zang Di, an award-winning poet, visited Bliss Hall on Oct. 3, to share a rich collection of contemporary Chinese works.
Di began his career at Beijing University where he earned his doctorate in Chinese literature.
He then began teaching Chinese literature at the university shortly after. Di is also a critic, editor and translator. He’s received multiple honors, including the 2005 Southern Literary World’s award for criticism and the Chinese Poetry Biennial Top Ten Poets Award in 2008.
The poetry reading began with a soothing and majestic vibe erected by a 5,000-year-old Chinese string instrument called a guqin. The interactive poetry session allowed for a few of the listeners to read some of Di’s poetry. Since his poems were in Chinese, Jia-Yan Mi, an English and world languages and culture professor at the College, translated the poet’s words.
Zang Di’s reading consisted of 10 poems, each a different series from his collections, which all revolve around four main elements. Di described his elemental messages as lyrics of emotion and romance, attention to nature, surrealism and humor. All elements were seen heavily throughout the night’s reading. Prior to reading each of the poems, Di explained the meaning behind his poetry and how what inspired him to write each work.
“Humanity is like living in a urban city for so long,” Di said before reading his seventh poem, “Study of Primitive Man Series.”
“We’re losing our spontaneousness,” he added.
Di said that Chinese culture and Western culture are very different in how they approach various aspects of life. In Chinese culture, the secrets of meaning are in nature, whereas in Western culture, people search for the secret of meaning in human life and society, according to Di.
Before reading his fourth poem, “An Anti Universe Series,” Di explained that Chinese culture involves the longstanding tradition of including landscape and nature in poetry — subjects that are much appreciated in his culture.
As time began to wind down, spectators had the opportunity to ask Di questions. One student asked what crucial advice he would give rising poets.
“First, writing is lonely, there’s no money, so you have to devote everything,” Di said of the impracticality of his calling. “This is what I like to do.”
For many of the listeners, the poetry reading provided a different perspective on both American and Chinese culture.
Janyyah Williams, a freshman mechanical engineering major, was able to gain a new appreciation and perspective from the poetry.
“I liked how this was able to approach poetry in a different way,” Williams said. “It inspired me to write too.”
(09/26/17 5:16am)
By Nadir Roberts
Correspondent
Endless amounts of food, laughter amongst friends and a range of live performances filled the College’s campus on Saturday, Sept. 23, as Ewing Township and the College held its annual Community Fest.
Live performances included the Antheil Elementary School Choir, Jonathan Savage and the Classic Rockers, DJ Barry Friedman, and the Ewing High School Marching Band.
Several local small businesses, organizations and vendors also attended the festival.
Dan Marrazzo is the owner of Koneheads Ice Cream, which is located on Olden Avenue. As a first time food vendor of the Community Fest, Marrazzo was able to expand his clientele at the festival.
“We had a lot of people (approach us) who didn’t even know we existed,” Marrazzo said.
Koneheads Ice Cream opened its doors for business two years ago. With the community hosting festivals and events like these regularly, more people have become aware of small, local businesses.
An important feature of Community Fest was the Community Fest Village, which was set up on campus between Trenton Hall, Mayo Concert Hall and Art and Interactive Multimedia building. The village, made up of a plethora of organizations and clubs, displayed what Ewing and the College strive to achieve — unity.
Over the years, both the College and the township have grown tremendously.
Leslie Summiel, a Ewing resident who was stationed at the farmer’s market table, emphasized the growth of the crowd and its constant positive effect on the community.
“It’s become more community oriented, which means more community groups are participating,” Summiel said.
Every year, Community Fest incorporates the College’s students with residents from Ewing.
“It brings all of Ewing together for profit, non-profit, community groups (and its) citizens,” Summiel said.
Often times, people believe that big corporations or businesses are needed to help smaller sanctions and groups, but thankfully, Community Fest proves that wrong.
Malik Sanders, a Ewing resident, finds the festival to be a family-friendly atmosphere with new things to explore every year.
“I’ve lived in Ewing all my life and I never knew that some of these places were here (in Ewing),” Sanders said.
For students, Community Fest was a great way to see what the township has to offer outside of the campus.
The fest also provided a range of child-friendly activities including pumpkin painting, spin art and inflatables.
Jasmine Yoo, a sophomore elementary education and English double major, worked with the Teachers of Young Children organization table at the event. She helped families and children paint pumpkins.
“It’s filled with a diverse group of people,” Yoo said. “I loved that the community could come together and celebrate their neighborhood with past and current generations.”
Community Fest was able to display both the College and Ewing Township community in a positive light, as unity was a common theme present throughout the day.