Giovanni'shistory:paving the way to make a difference

by St.phanle Masucci managing editor

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me is not true."

The audience leaned forward digesting every word that acclaimed author, musician and poet Nikki Giovanni uttered. She began talking about the things that people remember about high school. Giovanni thinks that high school is one of life's bad ideas. She believes that adults do not remember being thrown into lockers or having the dodge ball thrown at them too hard. They remember the words that teachers and students said to them.

"You'll never be a writer. You will never be anything coming from that trailer. These arc the things that people remember," of Humane Letters from Cabrini College in I 995. She bas been honored with keys to 24 cities and has published 27 books.

Giovanni said making eye contact with her audience.

She talked about how young men and women who have graduated from college and are successful still think of themselves as the fat kid. She is a firm believer in the power of words.

Giovanni, born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr., was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She attended Fisk University, which is located in Nashville TN, and earned her B.A. in history. Giovanni reestablished the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Chapter at Fisk.

Giovanni bas also published over 117 essays, short stories and poems. She stated that she publishes everything that she writes and that if she died today the only thing that has not been published is the unfinished book on her computer.

Giovanni is against censorship. In California, the Oakland school board was the first to ban one of her books. South Africa has banned all of her books and she has been asked to respond to these interdictions. She does not find it necessary to respond.

Giovanni spoke about censorship after watching the 2001 Grammys. She commented on how she is not an Emioem fan, yet she would not try to censor him. Erninem, Marshall Mathers, is a rap artist who has been under public scrutiny since his controversial persona stepped into the spotlight. Giovanni does not believe that Eminem would have been nominated with those lyrics if he were a black man.

"If white boys are going to rap they need to rap about something that is real," Giovanni said. "He needs to dig deeper.'' dcncy because it makes her crazy. She does enjoy watching Sportscenter and Georgetown's basketball team. She is currently a creative writing professor at Virginia Tech and she assured her listeners that she docs not make her students read or buy her books.

Giovanni's published works have aroused controversy and skepticism. She is glad when her writings stir up emotions because she feels that she is making a difference. Giovanni believes in learning from mistakes but not dwelling in the past Giovanni believes that life is about sharing the joys and the pains.

"You have friends because you are a friend,'' she said with a smile adorning her face. "I couldn't have come this far by myself."

For 26 years, Marks has been involved in music, playing in South America and the Caribbean. Marks just returned from Hawaii. Marks has also appearedat Cornell University, Princeton University, and the Newport Jazz Festival.

The smooth and infectious set played by Maries and his band attracted much attentionfrom the diners and spiced up the usual monotony of the school week.

Sophomore Kat Pirrone commented, 'They are very upbeat and lively."

She began writing poetry and novels at an early age and has received over 70 honors and awards since her first piece of writing was published. These honors include Ladies Home Journal: Woman of the Year in 1972 and being an invited guest at the Millenium Evening at the White House in April, 1998.

The accolades that she has collected are numerous. She has earned 16 honorary degrees, including an Honoray Doctorate

Giovanni commented on her respect for the late rapper Tupac Shakur, and his lyrics. She felt that even though she does not necessarily like the music, she could enjoy and learn from his lyrics.

When Giovanni was a child, her mother would listen to blues records. Giovanni is a jazz and blues aficionado, and she was very pleased that Steely Dan won three Grammys this year.

Giovanni does not beat around the bush when talking to her audience and her speeches are filled with humor.

She informed her audience that she has not watched the news since Bush won the presi-

Facts about Nikki Giovanni

• Giovanni is 57.

• She loves animals

• She is a good cook.

• She is obsessed with the Superman trilogy.

•She would rather starve to death then eat fast food.

•She loves Star Trek and her favorite Dr. Kirk quote is, "You're a healer