(ThyBlackMan.com) The last several weeks my mind has been marinated by the voices of Nikki Giovanni visiting at Edward Waters College, Al Letson poet, play write, actor and radio host recently speaking at the Writers Festival and University of North Florida, and the passionate and at times controversial words of Malcolm X.
Not the Malcolm that called Whites, blue or brown eyed devils, but the Malcolm that came back from the pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj) believed in the ability of men to be brothers. To respect each other and be at peace in this world. Everyone deserves a second chance to change the world in a positive direction.
His transformation from instigator of violence, to radical for knowledge, understanding and solidarity of humanity caused an upheaval not only the Black community, but with people across America. It proves that learning and wisdom do come from allowing ones mind to be open, looking at the world through different eyes and perceptions. 
He carried a passion that allowed him to change his thinking and direction. Malcolm X was not a college graduate, but was still an “educated man” because of this love for reading.
He commented that, “My Alma mater was books, a good library. I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.” Blacks need to understand the simplistic nature and empowerment of reading and education.
Many in society especially young Blacks are distracted by so many elements in their lives that the simple practice of reading has become a chore, this must change if Black children are to be successful and able to compete in the 21st century.
The inclusion or invasion of technology has caused a radical change in learning. Reading and creating content through the communication of words is connected. Youth are exposed to things that take away the will to learn, the desire to work their minds. Re-education, refocus is needed to teach again the importance of reading, writing and empowerment of being passionate about learning.
This leads me to my experiences at the Douglas Anderson Writers Festival where 20 writers, authors, playwrights’, and educators at the University of North Florida where I had a chance to listen to Al Letson and three presentations: http://alletson.com/bio.php
“Using Specific Detail”, “Writing Your Truth” and “Writing Your Story”
I was feeling Al Letson when he said listen to the voices in your head that guide and motivate you to put words down. To be passionate about your craft, that gift God has blessed you with.
Don’t fight the voices or force them to be quiet, but allow their energy to flow and move you in directions that maybe you would not have gone before.
It was a pleasure to speak to him because he had a genuine spirit to share his artistic passions in the writing and storytelling process. I asked him about the importance of passion, and from that question you could see the energy build up in him. Cascading of emotions swelled as he talked of how people must understand the power of passion. Your passion can take you were talent won’t, the talent is the gift, but the passion as Al states, “it is paramount to be passionate about something.”
People have a talent that they know rests in them, but for some reason whether fear, lack of motivation, distraction, or even ignorance do not allow it to awaken and take hold of them.
When asked by a young writer what do you do about the voices, in a humorous tone that had the audience laughing, Al stated, “Just shut up and do what is says in your writing.”
Al Letson, a poet, playwright, actor, mentor, speaker, Black man, father, son of a Baptist preacher, husband. All these dynamic elements that make up a man who takes hold of his gifts and engage them to bring people together. He states that he wanted to be about something bigger than him, things that have a positive influence in the lives of others.
As a 3rd generation teacher I have taught 25 years in public education and higher education 7 years I understand about being part of something bigger. Promoting learning in youth through workshops, seminars and conferences on Bullying, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Social Media and basic technology.
Blogging and teaching at EWC, the oldest HBCU in Florida. Praying that students understand the value and where education can take them in and through life. Even though he did not go to college Al Letson, his articulation, his physical expressions about his craft does not allow one to think that he is not a graduate of a higher educational institution. The words from him that encourage all of us to be “ferocious readers”; reading allows for the mind to open up imagining greater things. When Al was asked what motivates him he shared some of the books such as Bill Moyers ”Language of Life”, Robert Jordan “Wheel of Time” among others.
Reading allows you to be a creator of written and spoken words; they can connect people to a commonality they did not know exists. These same words have been spoken by men and women from universities and from life experiences men/women like Malcolm X, Carter G. Woodson, Nikki Giovanni, Zora Neale Hurston. Even Toni Morrison has stated, “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
So much was shared about the process of writing:
A. Writing may start from one word.
B. Look at your writing from different perspectives and angles to be able to tell your story.
C. Revision is the greatest thing because it allows you to clarify your thoughts, feelings and the literary direction you are going in.
D. Allow readers to see your craft and show them respect in your writing. When you respect your readers they respect you and continue to expect good works from you.
E. Writers must learn to have a clear mission and vision, direction is key because your writing “leads and directs” the reader. If you have no direction you are leading your readers blindly.
Eventually they will stop following you.
F. A writer must sharpen their writing skill
G. How does your story affect others.
H. Remember the heart of the story
I. Sell your writings, but promoting them to the people you are writing to.
J. Seduce your readers not pound their brains with facts.
Lastly one of the important messages is Truth. Al Letson let it be known how important truth is in writing. Find the truth of the heart of the truth, be careful in writing the literal truth which can be lost, but the passionate truth that makes a connection with the reader.
These words I will carry with me and the words of Nikki Giovanni, Malcolm X and others, teaching them to my students to help them embrace reading learning and a joy for writing.
Douglas Anderson Writers Festival
University of North Florida
http://www.dacreativewriters.org/
Email addy; douglasandersonwritersfestival@gmail.com
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
Also check out; http://www.About.Me/WilliamDJackson
