Poetry reading begins black writing series

No one knew quite what to expect, though many came exactly for that reason. The more than 25 students and faculty who gathered in Penniman Library Tuesday afternoon just wanted to catch a glimpse of the woman behind the work. The Afro-American Studies Program kicked off its "Mosaic of Black Writing Series" with a reading by Ai, one of the most influential African American women in poetry today. Ai has written six books of poetry, including Cruelty, Fate and her most recent, Greed. She has received numerous awards, including the American Book Award and the Guggenheim and Radcliffe Fellowships. Ai is known for her blunt style and harsh topics and she immediately lived up to her reputation with "Abortion," the first poem in her reading. But Assistant English Professor Herman Beavers was quick to note that "Ai's poems have less to do with brutality than they do with compassion." The room was tense after she finished the first poem, but her zany personality brightened the atmosphere. "I have a sense of humor, and it's sick!" she said after reading another poem entitled "Penis Envy." Her poems were gritty, but Ai provided the audience with background information about herself and her poems. By sharing her way of thinking, many students said they were able to better understand her method and her motives. "Ai is a natural storyteller," said College freshman Erika Walker. "She has a genuine sense of reality that she expresses in her poetry." Many of Ai's poems were taken directly from today's headlines. The Los Angeles riots, domestic violence, serial killers and Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh all serve as subjects for her works. The Department of Afro-American Studies agreed that its Black Writing Series was off to a great start. John Roberts, director of Afro-American studies at the University, remarked that many students see black writers only as authors of fiction. "Poetry has gotten lost over the years," he said. "We want to expose people to the different kinds of writing that African Americans do." Ai is just one of many talented artists visiting the University this year. Fiction writer Randall Kenan, science fiction writer Octavia Butler, novelist and screenwriter Terri McMillan and many others will be participating in the series.