Ntozake Shange Dazzles DePaul Audience
"When you're a great poet, you can write yourself something that'll make you feel better," says the 63 year-old author of such titles as Cypress Indigo, and for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf: a choreopoem. Ms. Shange read a combination of her older and recent poetry to a packed audience at the DePaul University Student Center last week.
The author, whose choreopoem was recently adapted to the silver screen by director/producer Tyler Perry, talked about the motive behind her writing, her views on feminism, race relations, and love. When asked what she expects viewers to take from the recent adaptation of her work, she responded, "I didn't have much to do with the production of that movie… [Perry] didn't stay in contact with me, and I wasn't on the set for the filming… I can't speak to what I want them to take from that movie, but from my work, I want young people to open up to friends, feelings, and laughter. Don't be afraid of your deepest darkest secrets – they make you who you are."
Audience members learned that her novel, Cypress Indigo, was created after she was dared to write a story instead of a poem by her ex-lover. She read poems about women who find love within themselves, power in their actions, and even about the abused women of the world, and about the lack of coverage regarding violence towards women.
She prefaced her poem, With No Immediate Cause with a story about her experience 30 years ago, when reading an article in the New York Times which focused on the frequency in which women were raped in the U.S. She described her feelings of sadness at the figures, and emphasized that women face violence, "…every 3, 5, or 10 minutes".
"It's worse now. Given the culture where women are so man-handled, visually and verbally, it's important for us to recognize what's going on and that our girls need us." said Shange. She admitted to dropping out of graduate school program after being sexually harassed by a professor, and not knowing where to turn. Despite this, she showcases that she feels that her charge is to empower women through her writing.
The NEIU community will be screening Tyler Perry's adaptation of her piece "For Colored Girls", and discussing its relevance on two panels. Wednesday, February 23 at 7pm in the Golden Eagles room, with panelist: Kim Everett, Michelle Morrow, Professor Olivia Perlow, Professor Emeritus BarBara Scott. The second screening will be discussed with student panelist brought to you by the Black Caucus. Visit the movie website at: forcoloredgirlsmovie.com
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent neiuindependent News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST NEIUINDEPENDENT NEWS
RECENT NEIUINDEPENDENT CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
- Your Child’s Tomorrow Begins Today
- Choose Beer Grown Here: Anheuser-Busch is First to Adopt...
- Helping Alleviate Children’s Anxiety
- Vitamins and Minerals: Fortifying Against Poor Oral Health
- Do you PHIT? Why A Career in Public Health Informatics...
- Do you PHIT? Why A Career in Public Health Informatics...
- Shining a Spotlight on Kidney Health: Get to Know Your...
- Phony Investment “Opportunities” Can Cost You Big, Say...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Ash Carter Exchange Showcases Innovation and National...
- AI Expo for National Competitiveness Announces Key Sponsor
- 2102: PRETENSE, THE PLAY: New Literary Novel Overlays...
- Why It's Important to Talk About Inheriting Wealth
- 100% of Latino Grads Start Trades Careers With Centro...
- Sound Solutions: How Generative AI is Enhancing Business...
- Wow Your Easter Guests With A Very Easy Spring Surprise...
- Tips to savor springtime and reflect on li...
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Captivating Reads
- Wow Your Easter Guests With Easy Spring Surprise Cake
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- State Department Announces 2023-2024 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions