All the world is a stage, but the question is how we act from scene to scene until the end. We can play the fool or the wise man, but the final scene shall show our true colors. The wise man can play a fool but the fool cannot play a wise man! No matter, in the end all is vanity and illusion of the Monkey Mind.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Obama Drama: Black Obama Speaks from the Outhouse


Paradise Free Jahlove 10:59am Jun 28

Black Obama Speaks!

This is a special report from your Nubian Network News, channel X! We have breaking news, the Black President that many of you thought you were voting for, Black Obama has escaped from Obama Lite! And he is now approaching the mike:

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Brother and sisters, without further ado, if I may speak for Uncle Sam - and I am, as my first order of business I want to say to you...that I apologize for slavery!!!!

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I apologize for making you work for 400 years without a paycheck! And then giving you pay checks which should have clearly been marked "insufficient funds"! And then calling you lazy!

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Speak the truth! Yes we can!

===

I apologize for the Middle Passage...and the millions who lost their lives...and for the horrific and deplorable conditions of the Slave Ship; conditions of which many of you are still suffering today in the bowels of the slave ship America!

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I apologize for not notifying many of you until two years after I signed the Emancipation Proclamation that you were free! And then keeping you in bondage by transfering you from chattel slavery to land slavery and economic slavery and wage slaver and mental slavery and slavery behind bars!

===

And I apologize for Jonestown and Rosewood and Greensboro and Black Wall Street and for what happened to those Four Little Black Girls in Birmingham and for Malcolm and Martin and Medgar and Marcus and all the Rodney Kings and Oscar Grants and Haiti and the slow and pitiful responses to Katrina which showed on a larger scale what has been happening to you in your neighborhoods for centuries everyday!

===

Stand up for justice! Yes we can!

===

I apologize because NOW IS THE TIME for reparations!

===

NOW IS THE TIME to bring the troops home!

===

NOW IS THE TIME to make love and not war!

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NOW IS THE TIME to drop food and not bombs!

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NOW IS THE TIME to get the Ugly American to stop terrorizing South America, Asia and Africa!

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NOW IS THE TIME to stop being a beast in the Middle East!

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NOW IS THE TIME to come home and put our own house in order, harmony and peace! And stop pointing hypocritical fingers at our neighbors!

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NOW IS THE TIME to set Mumia and all Political Prisoners free...and stop being so cowardly and racists against those seeking freedom and justice from oppression!

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NOW IS THE TIME to bring back the original Black Statue of Liberty, representative of a people who came up from slavery and broke free from tens of thousands of chains of bondage with bravery!

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NOW IS THE TIME! And not until each and every American is free will America be free...free to truly say, "Bring me your tired, your poor and your hungry!" For then we will be a living example of a country who knows how to provide food and shelter and peace to everyone!

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NOW IS THE TIME! NOW IS THE TIME! NOW IS THE TIME!

===

(c) 6-26-2011, by Paradise

Friday, June 24, 2011

Obama Drama, Scene #3: Interview with Marvin X



















Marvin X Interviews President Obama


















Marvin X, Thank you Mr. President for agreeing to meet with me.



Prez, The pleasure is all mine. I've been reading your blogs and find them quite interesting.



MX, I hope you don't say what Minister Farrakhan said about my comments on him.



Prez, What did he say?



MX, He said I raked him over the coals.



Prez, I agree with Minister Farrakhan. You can be quite hard hitting.



MX, They call me the sledgehammer.

Prez, Indeed you are.



MX, Call it tough love.



Prez, OK.



MX, Furthermore, I supported you wholeheartedly from the beginning. You obviously haven't seen my book Pull Yo Pants Up fada Black Prez and Yoself.



Prez, No I haven't.



MX, But I must agree with our mutual friend Dr. Cornell West. I'm sure you are aware that he said we must protect you, respect you, but check you.



Prez, Yes, I heard his remarks. And you know what I said, "You brothers need to cut me some slack."



MX, Prez, you don't need slack. You need us riding your back like Roy Rogers on Trigger.



Prez, Don't you think I have enough pressure on me?



MX, Well, I once forced the resignation of the president of Fresno State University. Well, actually he said he was pressured from above (Gov. Ronald Reagan) and below (student protests after the college refused to hire me). So we see you are the type of guy who must be pressured from above and below, from the right and the left.



Prez, How much pressure you think a person in my position can take?



MX, You got Mechelle to chill you out!

Prez, You're right about that.



MX, But I wrote about her putting a foot in your ass when you get weak.



Prez, I don't think that's necessary



MX, Well, you seem to capitulate at every turn. You call it the nature of politics, of course.



Prez, Well, I certainly don't call it capitulation. That's a bit harsh. I try to negotiate and compromise with my opposition.

MX, Prez, It seems to me you give in too quickly, sometimes when it ain't even necessary.



Prez, Marvin, it's the nature of the beast I'm dealing with.



MX, Ever heard of playing hardball? I mean I was happy you got the health insurance plan through but at what price, selling out to the insurance lobby?



Prez, I don't call it selling out, it was compromise, the best we could do under the circumstances.



MX, Prez, why have you not created a jobs program? You bailed out the banks and corporations but not the people, why?



Prez, Marv, you know I have a most difficult job and we tried a stimulus package, and it worked to some extent.



MX, But, Prez, there are still millions of unemployed. Yet at the same time you are promising terrorist jobs in Iraq and Afghanistan if they lay down their arms. Should the American unemployed take up arms to get your attention?



Prez, Marv, please, what are you suggesting, revolution?



MX, If that's what it takes to get you to consider the consent of the governed. Is not the first priority of this nation the people, not corporations and banks?



Prez, Well, corporations are people now.



MX, Prez, you know what I mean.



Prez, Of course.



MX, How can you provide funds for educating, housing and employing terrorists abroad but not at home? It just doesn't make sense, Mr. Prez.



Prez, You're right, Marv.



MX, Now you're getting ready to raise one billion dollars to keep your job, but you can't find a few billion for the millions of unemployed



Prez, You're right, Marv. I can do better. Let me regroup with my advisers and think about it.



MX, Yeah, Prez, I want to support you reelection but I find it most difficult. And the brothers on the street as well. They were happy when you won, they said it was great to know they could look up to someone besides a rapper. But lately they are saying fuck you, Mr. Prez.



Prez, I'm sorry to hear that.



MX, You should know this is what they're saying, Fuck you!



Prez, I often wonder about the mood in the hood.



MX, You should wonder before something terrible happens to your country because of your neglect and misplaced priorities. Can I ask you something personal?



Prez, Go for it!

MX, Do you feel like a white man or black man?



Prez, Well, when I'm with Mechelle, I feel black. When I'm with my Secretary of State, Hilliary, I feel white.



MX, I thought Hillary was black, along with her husband, Dirty Bill.



Prez, Marv, let's not name call, please.



MX, OK. On a more serious matter, how long did you know Osama bin Laden was in Pakistan?



Prez, We had him under surveillance for some time.



MX, Years, months?




Prez, a long time.



MX, Should I congratulate you for slaying the dragon?



Prez, That's up to you.



MX, Well, you probably deserve a feather in your cap. A couple of Brownie points.



Prez, Marv, thanks.



MX, But, Prez, where's the body?



Prez, We threw it in the ocean.

MX, C'mon, Prez, do I look like Willie Foofoo?



Prez, Marv, we did, trust me.



MX, Prez, I'm an ex-dope fiend. I know how people lie.




Prez, Marv, are you calling me a liar?



MX, I didn't say that, Prez, but my elder, Dr. Nathan Hare, taught the fictive theory. Everything the white man (and black man or white/black man) says is fiction until proven to be a fact. Where are the facts, Prez?



Prez, Marv, trust me. We thought it best to dispose of the body in the ocean.



MX, But who's going for this, Prez, it sounds shaky.




Prez, We concluded that was the best way to end the matter of a man who murdered three thousand Americans.



MX, Prez, how many Muslims have you murdered since you became President?




Prez, I can't answer that.

MX, Between Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, how many, especially with the collateral damage?



Prez, Can't answer that. It was all in defense of America.



MX, Is a few ignorant men living in mountain caves really a threat to America?



Prez, They can be.



MX, C'mon, Prez. Let's change the channel. What happened with the closing of Gitmo?




Prez, We tried but couldn't pull it off.



MX, What about the secret prisons in America?

Prez, I'm not aware of them.



MX, Maybe you should check with homeland security?



Prez, Our priority is the safety of Americans.



MX, Does this include murdering American citizens rather than bringing them to trial?



Prez, Not necessarily.



MX, What about the man in Yemen you are trying to kill who is an American citizen?



Prez, He's a special case.



MX, But he's an American.



Prez, Marv, don't press the issue.



MX, That's exactly what I'm doing.



Prez, Don't press it, Marv.



MX, Let's discuss the Middle East for a moment. I've written about your speech in Cairo and Indonesia. I've imagined what you will say about Muslims tomorrow, May 19. You know as long as you occupy one inch of Muslim land there shall be Muslims who view you as a Crusader and they will vow to fight you to the death.



Prez, Marv, I'm aware how Muslims feel about us occupying their lands. And we plan to vacate all Muslim lands at the earliest possible date.

MX, Does this include having your friends in Israel do the same?



Prez, Well, that's a matter for the Israelis, not us.



MX, But you are their very best friend. You support them right or wrong, true?



Prez, I wouldn't say that. But we have an enduring relationship.



MX, Don't you see the day is rapidly arriving when they cannot claim to be the only democracy in the area, that they will bow down to the God of Justice, not peace but justice?



Prez, Events are rapidly changing in North Africa and the Middle East. Therefore we must all make a paradigm shift in our thinking and behavior, including Israel.



MX, What about your friends in Saudi Arabia?



Prez, They will need to make substantial changes as well.

MX, And Bahrain?

Prez, It's a special case. We have strategic interests there.



MX, You seem to be saying America practices selective suffering. You now support the Egyptian revolution, the Tunisian, Yemen, but not in Saudi Arabia or Israel, Jordan, Bahrain.



Prez, Marv, we have our interests that must be secured first.



MX, What if and when these nations explode in your face, overnight, as is happening as we speak. Seems like you'll be running after the football or playing catchup?



Prez, We'll do what we must when we must.



MX, Thank you, Mr. Prez.

--Marvin X



5/18/11



Black Bird Press News and Review





Marvin X Writes Obama's Speech to Muslims

As-Salaam-Alaikum
I, Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States of America, come before you tonight in the name of Almighty God Allah. We, the America people, are pleased to see the people of North Africa and the Middle East rising up against our long time friends in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen and elsewhere.


Of course we instituted a no fly zone over Libya but it is most difficult to do the same in Gaza. The recent unity of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is nice but simply not in the interests of our dear friends in Israel, nor is it in the long term strategic interests of America and her friends throughout the region, especially our brothers in the House of Saud.


While we endorse the cries for freedom in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen, we cannot support the people in Bahrain. We suspect they are simply agents for Iran and therefore we cannot support their cries for freedom. We have no plans of moving our Fifth Fleet from Bahrain, especially since it is a counterweight to Iranian provocations. We therefore endorse the sending of Saudi troops to crush the Shia uprisings in Bahrain.


As per Saudi Arabia, we love democracy but it is simply not in our interests to have the Saudi regime destabilized because of a few unhappy citizens, again, many of them are agents of Iran, especially those Saudi women who want to drive cars.


As per Iran, we call for democracy in that nation, even though we accept full responsibility for overthrowing the democratically elected leader, Mossedeq, and installing the Shah who oppressed his people for many years.


We know you share our joy with the elimination of the hated terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Even though we created him and supported him, the time came for his removal, even though we were aware he was living in a mansion with his three wives in Pakistan. He served us well, but the time came for his disposal. You know how we handle those who outlive our usefulness, e.g., Saddam Hussein.


We promised a total troop removal from Iraq, but circumstances may prevent this unless it is expedient for my upcoming election. We hope the people of Iraq understand, especially that guy Sadr and his army of the poor in Sadr City who fought with us to no avail.


Our regional partners, namely the Sunni neighbors of Iraq, have warned us not to leave Iraq under a Shia regime, again this will only benefit Iran, the enemy of world peace. Not Israel and certainly not America who is the champion of world peace as you all know throughout the Muslim world, not matter that we are now occupying Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and making inroads into Libya. You may be surprised to learn that it is not the oil we want in Libya but the water. Yes, water will be a precious commodity in the coming days. We pray to Allah you can understand why we do what we do.


As per Afghanistan, we have promised the Taliban if they lay down their arms, we will give them schooling, housing and employment. We wish we could offer the same to our boys and girls in the hoods of America who are terrorizing their communities with drugs and guns, but our budget crisis will not allow education, housing and jobs for the boys and girls in the hood, although we can do this for the Taliban. As you know we did this in Iraq and this was the real cause of the decrease in violence, not the socalled surge of Baghdad under General Betrayus.


As you know, General Betrayus will be taking over the Central Intelligence Agency. We appreciate his role in prolonging the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We feel he has been successful in routing the 100 to 500 Al Quida in Afghanistan, especially after we sent him thirty thousand additional troops.


Finally, our friends in Pakistan may have some misgivings about the unilateral move we made to eliminate Osama bin Laden, but we want them to get over it and not make any silly moves like seeking revenge with their nuclear option.


I close in the name of peace, As-Salaam-Alaikum.
President Barack Hussein Obama



















































Obama Drama: Scene #2: Speech to Muslims













































Marvin X Writes Obama's Speech to Muslim World




As-Salaam-Alaikum



I, Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States of America, come before you tonight in the name of Almighty God Allah. We, the America people, are pleased to see the people of North Africa and the Middle East rising up against our long time friends in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen and elsewhere.



Of course we instituted a no fly zone over Libya but it is most difficult to do the same in Gaza. The recent unity of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is nice but simply not in the interests of our dear friends in Israel, nor is it in the long term strategic interests of America and her friends throughout the region, especially our brothers in the House of Saud.


While we endorse the cries for freedom in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen, we cannot support the people in Bahrain. We suspect they are simply agents for Iran and therefore we cannot support their cries for freedom. We have no plans of moving our Fifth Fleet from Bahrain, especially since it is a counterweight to Iranian provocations. We therefore endorse the sending of Saudi troops to crush the Shia uprisings in Bahrain.



As per Saudi Arabia, we love democracy but it is simply not in our interests to have the Saudi regime destabilized because of a few unhappy citizens, again, many of them are agents of Iran, especially those Saudi women who want to drive cars.



As per Iran, we call for democracy in that nation, even though we accept full responsibility for overthrowing the democratically elected leader, Mossedeq, and installing the Shah who oppressed his people for many years.



We know you share our joy with the elimination of the hated terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Even though we created him and supported him, the time came for his removal, even though we were aware he was living in a mansion with his three wives in Pakistan. He served us well, but the time came for his disposal. You know how we handle those who outlive our usefulness, e.g., Saddam Hussein,


We promised a total troop removal from Iraq, but circumstances may prevent this unless it is expedient for my upcoming election. We hope the people of Iraq understand, especially that guy Sadr and his army of the poor in Sadr City who fought with us to no avail.



Our regional partners, namely the Sunni neighbors of Iraq, have warned us not to leave Iraq under a Shia regime, again this will only benefit Iran, the enemy of world peace. Not Israel and certainly not America who is the champion of world peace as you all know throughout the Muslim world, not matter that we are now occupying Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and making inroads into Libya. You may be surprised to learn that it is not the oil we want in Libya but the water. Yes, water will be a precious commodity in the coming days. We pray to Allah you can understand why we do what we do.



As per Afghanistan, we have promised the Taliban if they lay down their arms, we will give them schooling, housing and employment. We wish we could offer the same to our boys and girls in the hoods of America who are terrorizing their communities with drugs and guns, but our budget crisis will not allow education, housing and jobs for the boys and girls in the hood, although we can do this for the Taliban. As you know we did this in Iraq and this was the real cause of the decrease in violence, not the socalled surge of Baghdad under General Betrayus.



As you know, General Betrayus will be taking over the Central Intelligence Agency. We appreciate his role in prolonging the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We feel he has been successful in routing the 100 to 500 Al Quida in Afghanistan, especially after we sent him thirty thousand additional troops.



Finally, our friends in Pakistan may have some misgivings about the unilateral move we made to eliminate Osama bin Laden, but we want them to get over it and not make any silly moves like seeking revenge with their nuclear option.



I close in the name of peace, As-Salaam-Alaikum.



President Barack Hussein Obama

Obama Drama: Scene #1: Speech on Afghanistan







A fictional speech by President Obama on Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan










Good evening, my fellow Americans. You some silly motherfuckers. Do you think I'm gonna bring a bunch of troops home from Afghanistan when my generals tell me they can make a few more billion dollars if we keep the troop level up. I'm not gonna do that, hell naw. As long as my name is Barack Hussein Obama. Yes, who sane Obama, but you insane if you think the thirty thousand troops I sent over there to kill those mountain goats are coming home anytime soon.


Oh, I might bring home two or three thousand, mostly the wounded with their brains shot out, those with no legs, no arms, we'll send them home, but you know it takes 30 thousand to capture or kill 100 to 500 Al Quida, yes, do the math, 30 thousand men at the cost of one million dollars each--now we don't pay them damn fool grunts no million dollars, but the generals get most of it for their retirement and when they come home to set up defense related corporations. You know the drill, don't you? You know politics and capitalism is dirty, filthy and funky like a ghetto ho. Hee hee hee. vote for me, I'll set you free!


You know we gotta take care of our generals, since they protect us round the world so you dumb somebitches can ride around in your SUVs, playing soccer mom and your husbands can ride through the ghetto at night picking up little black girls for prostitution. Now if you fuck with my little girls, I'm coming after that ass like I did that boy, our boy, Osama bin Laden.


Yes, I got that motherfucker. Hell, it was close to election time so I had to do something. Shot that motherfucker between the eyes and had my boys fuck his three wives fore we got outta Pakistan.


Back to Afghanistan. It is ten billion dollars a month to chase them mountain goats up and down them fuckin mountains, some ten thousand feet to twelve thousand feet up. But we makin progress so we can't leave now. Too much money involved and too much dope. Karzai and his brother is dealing too much dope and it's too good to cut and run now, except for a little drawn down fore election time, hee hee hee. Vote for me, I'll set you free, you dumb motherfuckers, especially my nigguhs.


How ma nigguhs doing in da hood? Ya'll still got yo shirt on, pants? I know you ain't got no job, ain't got no house, but you know I had to help my boys on Wall Street. I ain't stupid now, hell, I'm a Harvard nigguh, my nigguhs. Gotta help my brotherhood of thieves and robbers. If ya'll stop going to prison and come to Harvard, we'll show you how to be real criminals.


And they lettin all nigguhs and poor people into Harvard for free, what's wrong wit ya nigguhs? Get yo ass out dem prison cells and come to Harvard so you can be trained to be a real criminal. Look, we ain't gonnna keep payin no $200,000 a year to keep you little snotty nose motherfuckers in juvenile hall. We go put you in Harvard. I'll talk to my man Skip Gates bout giving you a little black studies, none of dat radical shit, some miller lite shit, but I want you to major in crime, how to rob motherfuckers in broad daylight, cheat people out da homes, jobs, take everything, don't leave a motherfucker nothing. Take his wife too. Hee hee hee, vote for me, I'll set ya free!


Back to Afghanistan. I told them mountain goats if they lay down their arms I will pay for them to go to school, get them housing and get them jobs. But them motherfuckers too dumb, can't count to ten. They can fight like hell when they wanna, but they don't want no schoolin, remind me of you nigguhs in da hood. But they worse than you nigguhs, these mountain goats won't even let the women go to school, lease you boyz in da hood ain't dat stupid. Vote fa me, I'll set ya free.


Now you boyz and girls in da hood might wonder why I don't give you motherfuckers jobs if you lay down yo guns and stop terrorizing you mama, daddy, grandpa and grandma, yo woman and babies, yes, you nigguhs is killing yo babies too--sometimes ya'll bad as them mountain goats bombing everything with they good suicide asses. Talkin bout they go get some virgins in Paradise. Do the women get dicks in Paradise? Hee, hee hee. Vote fa me, I'll set ya free!!!!


Let me finish this bullshit speech up so I can hit my cigarette, maybe a little one on one too. Mechelle make me go to a special little room she fixed up for me in the White House to do my thang. You know how them bitches is, always wanna fix up some shit fa a man. Bitch, I'm the motherfuckin Prez, bitch! Better leave me the fuck alone and take care of dem guls and yo mama.


Back to Afghanistan. We go bring home two or three thousand troops and don't fuck with me about it. Matter of fact, kiss my black yellow ass, especially you Republicans and that Cornel West bitch! American people, good night. Prosperity is just around the corner, soon a chicken in every pot. Hee hee hee. Vote for me, I'll set you free!

--Marvin X



6/23/11


Marvin X is known variously as Plato, Rumi, Mark Twain, the Sludgehammer, human earthquake. He's written thirty books, eight last year. jmarvinx@yahoo.com













Thursday, June 23, 2011

From Mythology of Love: Testimony, A Love Song


Testimony, a Love Song

Eternal Man

I remember when I met you, woman
The feeling has never left me
What is the magic of you, what is the mystery
Every day, you are there,
In my hair
In my skin
I hear you blowing in the wind

Eternal Woman

I remember when I first me you, man
You were strong then
Your hair was neat
Your fingernails were clean and cut
Your skin was glowing
Your ears were clean
You were confident, secure
Your voice was strong and commanding
I was proud to meet you
Had heard of you, heard your name
Knew you were a man of truth
You know I did everything to please you
Spoiled you, worshipped you above God
That was my sin
If the years have taught me anything
You are very much human
Sometimes less than human
When you beat me
Sometimes more than human
When you made love to me.

Eternal Man

I have learned to listen to you, woman
You been right many times
When I was wrong
You knew what to do from the beginning
I didn’t but pretended I did
You begged me for years
Do right, nigguh, do right
What did I say
Shut up, bitch!
And kicked your ass
Only a fool would hurt a flower
Only a fool would destroy a rose.

Eternal Woman

If you love me so much
Why you treat me like you do
If you love me so much
Why you treat me like you do?


Eternal Man

I make no excuses
Word is bond
If you cannot believe my words
We have no bond
I will keep trying til my words are truth
I went blind
No longer saw God
No longer cared for Him
Lost faith in myself, most of all
But look
The Spirit of God is upon me!

Eternal Woman

You act like the same nigguh to me
You don’t respect me as a woman
You don’t respect me as a human
It’s your way or no way
True, you haven’t beat me lately
But you act like you will
If I oppose you
Who can live like this?
I refuse to live in fear
I refuse
If you can’t make me feel secure
I will find someone else who can
If you cannot make me feel at peace
I will find someone else who can
If you cannot treat me with respect
I will find someone else who can!

Eternal Man

I understand
And I submit
To truth
I submit
To God.

Eternal Woman

I’m going to see, man
You’ve told me millions of words
I will see
I want to believe you, but it’s hard
I want to trust you
But it’s hard
You’ve lied so much
You’ve done such terrible things to me
You’re the worse person I know
What else is wrong with you?
You’re too aggressive
You’re too extreme
You drink too much
You fuck too much
You cuss too much
You shout too much!

Eternal Man

Why you let me love you again and again
If I’m so terrible
King Kong
I want to take you serious
But sometimes
You are full of hot air and gibberish!



Eternal Woman


You’re right
There is some good in you
We have good times together
Sometimes
You’re really a good person
But you always negate the good
With some terrible stuff
Sometimes you make me nervous
Sometimes I can’t relax with you
Sometimes I don’t’ feel safe and secure with you
Get yourself together
Don’t blow up every minute
I’m trying to control myself
I’m not perfect either
I have my faults
You know them better than anyone
I’m working on myself
Work on yourself
Take care of your business
And come at me right!
Where is your faith in Allah
You profess to the world
Keep your word, demonstrate your word
By your actions
And I’ll be your friend forever
I’ll be your very best friend.

Call for West Coast Black Arts Theatre Festival

Invited Participants

Sean Vaughn Scott
Ise Lyfe
Geoffrey Grier
Michael Lange
Linda Johnson
Ayodele Nzinga
Destiny Muhammad
Tarika Lewis
Thomas Simpson
Donald Lacy
D'wayne Wiggins
Joyce Gordon
Geoffrey Pete








Marvin X Calls Black Arts West Theatre Festival
Marvin X, godfather of the West Coast Black Arts Movement, is calling a Black Arts West Theatre Festival in honor of Lorraine Hansberry Theatre founders Stanley E. Williams and Quentin Easter, also in honor of Margo Norman, who transitioned recently. Margo performed in the plays of Ed Bullins shortly before he hooked up with Marvin X to establish Black Arts West Theatre in San Francisco's Fillmore District.

Before Black Arts West came on the scene, there was Aldridge Players West, with Adam David Miller, et al. After Black Arts West, there was John Doyle's Grassroots theatre and Michael Cattlett's theatre.

And then came the Lorraine Hansberry. In 1972, Marvin X established Black Educational Theatre in the Fillmore, and in the late 90s, Recovery Theatre in the Tenderloin and throughout the Bay and Northern California. His play One Day in the Life is the longest running play in the history of North American Africans in Northern California. It ran from the late 90s into the new millennium.

Other theatres came and went, and few were able to survive on the meager budgets grant agencies doled out. The Lorraine Hansberry was the exception, partly because of their non-political stance as per the cultural revolution. But when they produced a performance of Marvin X's One Day in the Life, they transcended the apolitical. They'd also produced a work on the Black Panther Party, along with their signature work of August Wilson.

No matter the politics of Stanley and Quentin, and for that matter August Wilson, Marvin X considers them comrades in the arts. Any black artist with an iota of consciousness is all right with me. Actually, I appreciate artists period! Of course I appreciate revolutionary arts even more. But any black artists must have some degree of radical consciousness since he must confront and submit himself to the art of Western mythology.

Even the Lorraine Hansberry theatre brothers told Marvin X, "Marvin, the Black bourgeoisie would like to support you, but they cannot accept your language, if you could only alter your language they will support you." But when Marvin X submitted to the black bourgeoisie request, they did not accept his B script. Even Quentin Easter cried, "Marvin, you have taken all the chocolate out the milk!"

Marvin recalls one night at the Lorraine Hansberry: "The theatre was packed to overflow. Actually, when Stanley came he said, oh, no, this is a fire hazzard! People were seated on the stage."

Usually, I would go into the audience during my monologue, but not this night, the audience was seated onstage for lack of seats. They were from recovery programs from throughout the Bay Area. The Theatre District was horrified when all these recovering addicts took intermission on Sutter Street in the midst of the theatre district.

But more than this, Dr. William H. Grier was in the house. For those who don't know, Dr. William H. Grier is the co-author of Black Rage, the classic psychological study of North American Africans in the 60s. One of his sons is David Allen Grier, but his son Geoffery was playing the role of Black Panther c0-founder Huey P. Newton in my play One Day in the Life.

In truth, Geoffery was never able to match the psychopathic personality of Huey Hewton. Even though Geoffery had been a Crack fiend with me in San Francisco's Tenderloin District, he found it difficult to match the psychopathology of Huey Newton.

But Dr. Grier, being the psychiatrist he was, asked me how I was feeling before the play began.
I responded with a statement that didn't hardly satisfy the doctor. He told his son Geoferry, "I don't know what's wrong with Marvin. He has Mayor Willie Brown introducing his play. He has a packed house. He has a Jaguar car packed outside, yet he's singing the blues."

Dr. Grier, it's called Divine Discontent. In ghetto language, it's called an ungrateful bastard.

No matter, let us put together a Black Arts West Theatre Festival in honor of Stanley Williams, Quentin Easter and Margo Norman, now ancestors in the Black Theatre Movement. Of course, we can never forget Nora Vaughn and her Berkeley Black Repertory Group Theatre.
--Marvin X
7,11,10

Academy of da Corner Reader's Theatre



Ptah Mitchell


Aries Jordan


























Academy of da Corner Reader's Theatre to perform Mythology of Love


On the first day of Summer, Academy of da Corner Reader's Theatre rehearsed on the northwest campus at 14th and Broadway. Professor Lumukanda was absent so Plato Negro, aka Marvin X, took over his classroom to rehearse Mythology of Love, his womanhood and manhood rites of passage. The script for Mythology of Love is based on his 1981 Laney College theatre production of In the Name of Love, a ritual drama that examined polygamy, domestic violence and other aspects of male/female relations.

Mythology of Love is a poetic drama based on selected poems of the poet called "The USA's Rumi," (Bob Holman). Eldridge Cleaver said of In the Name of Love, "Marvin X has returned theatre to the Shakespearean tradition of poetic drama."

Mythology of Love lead actors include Aries Jordan as Eternal Woman and Ptah Mitchell as Eternal Man. Michelle LaChaux will act and sing in the production. The rehearsal went well on the first day of summer in the Bay. Aries and Ptah have the potential to excel in their roles since they are familiar with each other, thus have a level of respect on the personal and artistic level, both are poets and budding dramatists, who will perform original material at the Mythology of Love Festival. This project will more than likely become a three day event that will include the work of Bay Area playwrights Opal Palmer Adisa, Ayodele Nzinga, Geoffery Grier, Ise Lyfe, Michael Lange and others.

Actors interested in this production should contact Marvin X: jmarvinx@yahoo.com. Send a resume and pic.