Poet Elizabeth Alexander preached for worldwide love at the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative convocation held in Springfield, Ohio, on Monday.
Alexander, a professor at Yale University, was selected to read her poem “Praise Song for the Day”, at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in January of 2009. Little did she know, she would be reading it, along with giving a speech, almost a year later on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Weaver Chapel at Wittenberg University.
While speaking about being at the March on Washington as a newborn child with her parents –when Martin Luther King gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech she said, “Neither of them would know how that day will live in history” and it is now one of the most famous speeches, today.
Unlike most families who have candy in their candy dishes, Alexander spoke of having political buttons filling theirs when she was a little girl. She spoke of distinctly remembering just one, “It was a black hand shaking a white hand,” she went on explaining how after many years, her father wore it at the Obama Inauguration just last year.
She seemed to follow Dr. King’s words of wisdom throughout her speech, and also used June Jordan’s, who was a poet born in Harlem, a teacher, and activist, like Alexander, as well. One of the many meaningful things Alexander said was, “Do you know what you are fighting for, as well as what you are fighting against?”
Her main point throughout her speech at Wittenberg was expressing the importance of the need of love in the world today. “Dr. King asked everyone to commit to their country and to their communities.” Alexander followed this statement by bringing up the Haiti disaster and the way the world is graciously helping the people who are in need.
“It is love that makes us say we can do better.” Alexander then stressed, “Where is the Love?” She explained how love isn’t just an emotion throughout the world, but how it should be sought for through actions as well. She continued with conveying Dr. King’s legacy with warmth of belief that one day his actions will prevail through all.
Alexander expressed how she didn’t think she was going to read the poem again after the Inauguration a year ago, but thought it was perfect for the situation. So she completed her speech with reading “Praise Song for the Day” with a standing ovation following quickly after.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Classmate Interview.
“I would never leave the house without a matching outfit… I mean, let’s be honest here”. When Brynne Mayne was asked, “What is one thing you would never leave the house without?” her answer was quick and concise.
Unlike most people, Brynne does not care what people think about her, and always wears her style of fashion. She simply states, “I am the way I am for a reason.” She walks the Wittenberg University halls in anything ranging from, tights and an argyle sweater dress, to a plaid skirt with a matching cardigan sweater, usually always wearing a beret, and everything being pink, of course.
Not to many people’s knowledge, Brynne is from London. But no, not London, England –like I am sure ran through your minds, but this saying is how she introduces herself at pageants, something most people did not know she was involved in, either.
She has been involved in pageants such as National American Miss and American Coed Pageants since she was twelve years old. This is why her choice of clothing she feels most comfortable in is her formal dresses. When I asked her, “What is one thing you wish you could do with no restrictions?” She responded, “I wish I could find a way to be on stage everyday”.
Brynne’s hobbies include; cheering, singing, musicals, and plays. This is what has made her the good personality, sensitive, feminine, and outgoing person she is today. She is a bright and thrill seeking individual that has no regrets and many unique traits, such as her two different colored eyes.
However, when she was asked what her biggest character flaw was she said, “I stress way too much!” But she turns to her Uncle Clayton for moral support because he is the most influential person in her life.
When I asked Brynne “What is some things that most people do not know about you?” she said, “I hate when people lie, and beat around the bush. My siblings never fail to make me smile. Quitting is not an option for me; it’s not even in my vocabulary. If I could meet one dead person, I would pick Judy Garland. You know, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Oh, and if I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life, I would select cheese, hands down”.
Even though Brynne seems shy and quiet, once she opens up to the people around her, she is one of the most laid back, and funniest people anyone will ever meet. When asked what she wants to be remembered for she said, “I want to be the best host of the Today Show and the fashionista that would do anything for anyone”. –Something I am sure Brynne Mayne will be remembered for decades for.
Unlike most people, Brynne does not care what people think about her, and always wears her style of fashion. She simply states, “I am the way I am for a reason.” She walks the Wittenberg University halls in anything ranging from, tights and an argyle sweater dress, to a plaid skirt with a matching cardigan sweater, usually always wearing a beret, and everything being pink, of course.
Not to many people’s knowledge, Brynne is from London. But no, not London, England –like I am sure ran through your minds, but this saying is how she introduces herself at pageants, something most people did not know she was involved in, either.
She has been involved in pageants such as National American Miss and American Coed Pageants since she was twelve years old. This is why her choice of clothing she feels most comfortable in is her formal dresses. When I asked her, “What is one thing you wish you could do with no restrictions?” She responded, “I wish I could find a way to be on stage everyday”.
Brynne’s hobbies include; cheering, singing, musicals, and plays. This is what has made her the good personality, sensitive, feminine, and outgoing person she is today. She is a bright and thrill seeking individual that has no regrets and many unique traits, such as her two different colored eyes.
However, when she was asked what her biggest character flaw was she said, “I stress way too much!” But she turns to her Uncle Clayton for moral support because he is the most influential person in her life.
When I asked Brynne “What is some things that most people do not know about you?” she said, “I hate when people lie, and beat around the bush. My siblings never fail to make me smile. Quitting is not an option for me; it’s not even in my vocabulary. If I could meet one dead person, I would pick Judy Garland. You know, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Oh, and if I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life, I would select cheese, hands down”.
Even though Brynne seems shy and quiet, once she opens up to the people around her, she is one of the most laid back, and funniest people anyone will ever meet. When asked what she wants to be remembered for she said, “I want to be the best host of the Today Show and the fashionista that would do anything for anyone”. –Something I am sure Brynne Mayne will be remembered for decades for.
Elizabeth Alexander Speaks at Wittenberg University
Just like the Black Eyed Peas, and Martin Luther King Jr., poet Elizabeth Alexander preached for worldwide love Monday, January 18th at the MLK commemorative convocation held in Springfield, Ohio.
Alexander, a professor at Yale University, was selected to read her poem “Praise Song for the Day”, at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in January of 2009. Little did she know, she would be reading it almost a year later on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Weaver Chapel at Wittenberg University.
While speaking about being at the walk on Washington as a newborn child with her parents –when Martin Luther King gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech she said, “Neither of them would know how that day will live in history” and it is now one of the most famous speeches, today.
She seemed to follow Dr. King’s words of wisdom throughout her speech, and also used June Jordan’s, who was a poet born in Harlem, a teacher, and activist, like Alexander, as well. One of the many meaningful things Alexander said was, “Do you know what you are fighting for, as well as what you are fighting against?”
Her main point throughout her speech at Wittenberg was expressing the importance of the need of love in the world today. “Dr. King asked everyone to commit to their country and to their communities.” Alexander followed this statement by bringing up the Haiti disaster and the way the world is graciously helping the people who are in need.
“It is love that makes us say we can do better.” Alexander then stressed, “Where is the Love?” In 2003 a band called the Black Eyed Peas published a hit single called, “Where is the Love?” showing that people all around the world are concerned with the amount of violence and disgrace that is going on, today.
Using lyrics that range from, “Selfishness has got us following our wrong direction…” to “Wrong information always shown by the media, Negative images is the main criteria…” these lyrics helped explain that Alexander, as well as many other people want the world at peace. But because of neglect and violence, it is a hard thing to come by.
Unlike the Black Eyed Peas, Alexander did not speak of racism throughout the world today, and she merely only focused on the need for love, and how poetry can help all. “Poetry makes something happen in language, it takes the breath away…”
She ended her speech with “praise song for walking forward in that light.” Elizabeth Alexander made an impact on the United States during the Inauguration last year, but she also made an impact at Wittenberg on Monday, after receiving a standing ovation for her thoughtful speech, from a very receptive crowd.
Alexander, a professor at Yale University, was selected to read her poem “Praise Song for the Day”, at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in January of 2009. Little did she know, she would be reading it almost a year later on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Weaver Chapel at Wittenberg University.
While speaking about being at the walk on Washington as a newborn child with her parents –when Martin Luther King gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech she said, “Neither of them would know how that day will live in history” and it is now one of the most famous speeches, today.
She seemed to follow Dr. King’s words of wisdom throughout her speech, and also used June Jordan’s, who was a poet born in Harlem, a teacher, and activist, like Alexander, as well. One of the many meaningful things Alexander said was, “Do you know what you are fighting for, as well as what you are fighting against?”
Her main point throughout her speech at Wittenberg was expressing the importance of the need of love in the world today. “Dr. King asked everyone to commit to their country and to their communities.” Alexander followed this statement by bringing up the Haiti disaster and the way the world is graciously helping the people who are in need.
“It is love that makes us say we can do better.” Alexander then stressed, “Where is the Love?” In 2003 a band called the Black Eyed Peas published a hit single called, “Where is the Love?” showing that people all around the world are concerned with the amount of violence and disgrace that is going on, today.
Using lyrics that range from, “Selfishness has got us following our wrong direction…” to “Wrong information always shown by the media, Negative images is the main criteria…” these lyrics helped explain that Alexander, as well as many other people want the world at peace. But because of neglect and violence, it is a hard thing to come by.
Unlike the Black Eyed Peas, Alexander did not speak of racism throughout the world today, and she merely only focused on the need for love, and how poetry can help all. “Poetry makes something happen in language, it takes the breath away…”
She ended her speech with “praise song for walking forward in that light.” Elizabeth Alexander made an impact on the United States during the Inauguration last year, but she also made an impact at Wittenberg on Monday, after receiving a standing ovation for her thoughtful speech, from a very receptive crowd.
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