Editor’s Note 017

What up hip hop, today we are proud to bring you two of the very best poets, activists, teachers and more simply put humane individuals, Amiri Baraka and Nikki Giovanni. Before there was Chuck D, Native Tongues, or the X-Clan we had two of the illest and inspirational people to help a culture and race become aware of their external and internal beauty. Long story short a long time ago I used to be the biggest Michael Jordan fan known to mankind (pause). My mom would always say, “He can play, but he’s not political enough.” I never understood what that meant until I got older. Although MJ may be the greatest basketball player of all time what did he really leave society but amazing memories, baggy pants and some pretty fly kicks oh and there was an economic boom because of this guy. However, if we stay with the notion of sacrifice what did his Airness really give up and or leave behind? To bring it full circle if you put these three individuals next to each other and looked at their work i.e. their lives work Ms. Giovanni and Mr. Baraka would make his Airness appear as if he never took off. By no means was the piece an MJ bashing but in the end what did he really leave and so I ask you all what are you going to leave with this world?

Thank you to Gabriielle Smith and Zaynab Aden for coming through in the clutch. Enjoy and keep scheming.

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