The Black Dude Dies First
Whoever told the stories shaped the histories.44 total reviews
Comment from CivilChick
This is an powerful story. I think I would love your mother...what a strong, take-action lady. I love that she focused her energy on correct the blatant racial disparity occurring in your school. I would like to give that teacher of yours a piece of my mind. Wonderfully told with a powerful message (and what a little cutie you were in 1976!). I do find it ridiculous that the paper got your name and details of Benjamin Banneker wrong...why should a journalist check the facts?
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2016
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This is an powerful story. I think I would love your mother...what a strong, take-action lady. I love that she focused her energy on correct the blatant racial disparity occurring in your school. I would like to give that teacher of yours a piece of my mind. Wonderfully told with a powerful message (and what a little cutie you were in 1976!). I do find it ridiculous that the paper got your name and details of Benjamin Banneker wrong...why should a journalist check the facts?
Comment Written 19-Mar-2016
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2016
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Oh, thank you, CivilChick, for your generous review of my powerful story about my mother. You would have loved meeting her. Here is a YouTube video of me performing my story from memory. Enjoy and thank you for the review.
Comment from BruceMiller
After I finished your review of Believe..., I got curious about you, so I went to your profile. The artwork for this piece immediately caught my attention. As I started reading, I presumed this would be an essay about black people in our history. I figured that a bit of education couldn't hurt, so I kept on reading. I'm not certain of your intent with this well written creation, but I see it as a beautiful homage to your mother. She must have been a wonderful individual. Cheers.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2016
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After I finished your review of Believe..., I got curious about you, so I went to your profile. The artwork for this piece immediately caught my attention. As I started reading, I presumed this would be an essay about black people in our history. I figured that a bit of education couldn't hurt, so I kept on reading. I'm not certain of your intent with this well written creation, but I see it as a beautiful homage to your mother. She must have been a wonderful individual. Cheers.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2016
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2016
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Yes, Bruce, this story is "a beautiful homage" to my mother. She not only made me, she made me get up there on that stage. She was "a wonderful individual." I am glad you met a little bit of her in my story. Thank you for your generous, six star review.
Comment from writeapoem
I was memorized by this story. It deserves more than six stars. It is historical, and at the same time a present tense presentation. I am glad the black dude lives.
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016
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I was memorized by this story. It deserves more than six stars. It is historical, and at the same time a present tense presentation. I am glad the black dude lives.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016
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Thank you, writeapoem, for your fine, six star review. I had a lot of fun writing this poem and performing it thirteen times throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for the last forty-five days. It has been quite a journey. Thank you for coming along.
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Your very welcome for well deserving work
Comment from Nika2016
You should have won. It is a wonderful story. Read Lancelot's script. You may have a debate with his view that race does not matter and the only thing holding people back is themselves. Not my view.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2016
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You should have won. It is a wonderful story. Read Lancelot's script. You may have a debate with his view that race does not matter and the only thing holding people back is themselves. Not my view.
Comment Written 24-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2016
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Thank you, Nika2016, for your encouraging, six star review. I am unaware of any announcements of winners for this contest as I have been busy performing this story in front of audiences who loved it. I will seek to publish the written version. Thank you for your support.
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You won, but not first place.
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Ah, now I see. I won an honorable mention. It's a start. Thanks.
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I forgot to tell you that the performed version of my story won a $25.00 gift certificate at the Oakland Story Slam last week. The story came in second, but because the winner had already left, I as the runner up picked up her prize. I much appreciate this. I will strive to write and perform the best stories I can. If they win, they win. If they do not, I will keep writing and performing. Thanks.
Comment from Muffins
I felt like crying, cheering and clapping as I read this post. Your mother was one heck of a woman. She knew what was going on when you were chosen to play Crispus Attucks. How could she help it! However, it was important enough to cause her to take action and that's where most people stop. They'll grumble, and maybe write a letter to the newspaper, but that's it.
Organizing the first Black History Week at your school then putting on the show Was a blessing to and all the kids, especially the blacks, at your school. I wish I had an six to grant this piece to because it is excellent and a wonderful tribute to your mother. You tell it with pride in yourself and the woman who raised you. Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment.
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
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I felt like crying, cheering and clapping as I read this post. Your mother was one heck of a woman. She knew what was going on when you were chosen to play Crispus Attucks. How could she help it! However, it was important enough to cause her to take action and that's where most people stop. They'll grumble, and maybe write a letter to the newspaper, but that's it.
Organizing the first Black History Week at your school then putting on the show Was a blessing to and all the kids, especially the blacks, at your school. I wish I had an six to grant this piece to because it is excellent and a wonderful tribute to your mother. You tell it with pride in yourself and the woman who raised you. Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment.
Comment Written 10-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
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Muffins, your heart-felt review cheered me. It would have touched my mother--"one heck of a woman." Finally, I wrote a great story about her. I am honored to have shared this "wonderful moment" with you. Thank you for your review.
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You are so welcome.
Comment from Lovinia
Hello Andre
This is a wonderful piece of writing, you sure know how to captivate your audience ... I can expect this will go down very well in performance. Also a treat to see you in the newspaper ... well almost famous! :)) A shame they spelled your name incorrectly. Your mother must have been quite a personality in her own right and did so much for your community. You are a credit to her and she must have been so proud of you. Of course she is obviously honoured, respected and much loved by you which always comes through when you write of her.
'Killed off in the first minute of a school play" - how unfortunate, and the only black role. I cannot even imagine what it must have been, and possibly in some place and time, still is, the pain caused by racist thinking. It must have been even that much worse for your mother in her own childhood years. She was obviously intelligent and passionate and made a difference in creating the inaugural Black History Week in your school.
I'm so pleased to have a six left for your work. Your story evokes strong emotions, highlights a little of what you experienced in your childhood, always you convey learning and information with respect. Your stories always make me feel a part of what you write, I can also feel the strength of your intelligence and loving heart. I can also feel that when I hear your performances ... you love what you do. This passion is an integral part of am outstanding piece of work, and always what I look for, either in a poem or piece of prose. Huge hugs - Lovi xoxoxo
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
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Hello Andre
This is a wonderful piece of writing, you sure know how to captivate your audience ... I can expect this will go down very well in performance. Also a treat to see you in the newspaper ... well almost famous! :)) A shame they spelled your name incorrectly. Your mother must have been quite a personality in her own right and did so much for your community. You are a credit to her and she must have been so proud of you. Of course she is obviously honoured, respected and much loved by you which always comes through when you write of her.
'Killed off in the first minute of a school play" - how unfortunate, and the only black role. I cannot even imagine what it must have been, and possibly in some place and time, still is, the pain caused by racist thinking. It must have been even that much worse for your mother in her own childhood years. She was obviously intelligent and passionate and made a difference in creating the inaugural Black History Week in your school.
I'm so pleased to have a six left for your work. Your story evokes strong emotions, highlights a little of what you experienced in your childhood, always you convey learning and information with respect. Your stories always make me feel a part of what you write, I can also feel the strength of your intelligence and loving heart. I can also feel that when I hear your performances ... you love what you do. This passion is an integral part of am outstanding piece of work, and always what I look for, either in a poem or piece of prose. Huge hugs - Lovi xoxoxo
Comment Written 10-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
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Oh, Lovinia, so that you need not "expect this will go down very well in performance," here is my YouTube video of my performance last Saturday of "The Black Dude Dies First": https://youtu.be/_cJAUCv57po
Enjoy.
Performance and listening to the audience are how I crafted this story. Three weeks ago I got up on stage and told an early version of this story even though I did not know how it would end or what was the story. I just started talking. Early audiences indicated that they were captivated by my mother. I remembered as much of her involvement in the Black History Week program, talked to my siblings, and rewrote and rehearsed my story to acknowledged her contributions.
A couple of audience members questioned whether or not it was possible for a woman to put on a show without considerable help. I took a look at my mother's resume and was shocked that at the same time she produced my show, she was writing the new African American curriculum, conducting black culture workshops, reading poetry, telling stories, and recommending multicultural books to school districts. Earlier in her life she had worked as a seamstress for Hollywood movies and college plays. She was the best qualified woman to take on the task of producing the Black History Week event. How could the principle and teachers say no to an activist who is already working inside the school district to change it?
My mother passed away in 2012 without me ever thanking her or appreciating her contributions to improving the lives of children. This story is my way of acknowledging this "intelligent and passionate (woman who) made a difference."
Thank you for your generous, six star review and for your compliments on my passionate writing.
Comment from Douglas Paul
This was a good story. Your notes helped to better understand the significance of it. Your point is well taken. We can only hope that black lives matter more now
reply by the author on 10-Feb-2016
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This was a good story. Your notes helped to better understand the significance of it. Your point is well taken. We can only hope that black lives matter more now
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 10-Feb-2016
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Thank you, Douglas, for your fine review and compliments. I deeply appreciate them. I am glad the notes helped, too.
Comment from Eric1
Hi Sis Cat, what a wonderful and well written compelling story that deserves to go a lot further afield than FS, you have compiled a social documentary on what is wrong with our world today.
Despite the abolition of slavery there is still a lot of racism around that hides under many masks, your wonderful Mother helped to redress the balance and did a wonderful job using only what she believed to be right.
Thank you for sharing your poignant tale my friend. I wish you the very best of luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Hi Sis Cat, what a wonderful and well written compelling story that deserves to go a lot further afield than FS, you have compiled a social documentary on what is wrong with our world today.
Despite the abolition of slavery there is still a lot of racism around that hides under many masks, your wonderful Mother helped to redress the balance and did a wonderful job using only what she believed to be right.
Thank you for sharing your poignant tale my friend. I wish you the very best of luck in the contest.
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Thank you, Eric, for your enthusiastic review of my poignant tale. Yes, my mother did a wonderful job to redress this racial imbalance. The story is going further afield than FS, because it started last month as a story I told live before audiences in San Francisco. I am performing my story again in Berkeley and Oakland this month. Here is a video of one of my performances: https://youtu.be/_cJAUCv57po
Thank you for your review.
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You are very welcome my friend.
Comment from Ulla
This is a wonderfully told story about the prejudice that is held of the unknown, which frightens the ones who have never been exposed or been open to anything different from their known world, and with tragic consequences that has been seen since history began. Tolerance is an odd commodity to far too many. A beautifully written story from your own life. A very strong contender and a thought provoking entry. All the best. Ulla
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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This is a wonderfully told story about the prejudice that is held of the unknown, which frightens the ones who have never been exposed or been open to anything different from their known world, and with tragic consequences that has been seen since history began. Tolerance is an odd commodity to far too many. A beautifully written story from your own life. A very strong contender and a thought provoking entry. All the best. Ulla
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Oh, thank you, Ulla, for your encouraging review of my "beautifully written story." Your comments cheered me. Thanks.
Comment from Mark Valentine
What a great story that works on two levels - the story of you and your mom and your school plays is compelling in itself, and as a metaphor for a larger awakening. You picked a great title as I'd imagine that most folks by now are familiar with the horror story cliche.
The scene of you exiting the stage as Crispus Attucks only to have the white students playing more famous roles, come on stage to proclaim that all men are created equal is brilliantly ironic.
The whole piece is brilliant.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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What a great story that works on two levels - the story of you and your mom and your school plays is compelling in itself, and as a metaphor for a larger awakening. You picked a great title as I'd imagine that most folks by now are familiar with the horror story cliche.
The scene of you exiting the stage as Crispus Attucks only to have the white students playing more famous roles, come on stage to proclaim that all men are created equal is brilliantly ironic.
The whole piece is brilliant.
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
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Yes, Mark, I thought I was original with the title, but when I Googled it I found all of these articles and movies about black dudes dying first. The worst thing I saw were video games where the hero is white but zombies are black. What are these black, first death fantasies saying about our culture? It says black lives do not matter and that they are disposable.
I am glad you appreciate my compelling story on many levels. Thank you for your generous, six star review.