For the Gaza in All of Us...



I first met Suheir Hammad in about '96. At that time, I had the honor of working with my mentor, friend, professional and spiritual advisor Marie Brown. Marie Brown Associates was located at 625 Broadway.
625 Broadway was a collection of offices of many different types of businesses. There was an Inner-city program, an Independent Film association, and even a music-publishing company. Amidst all of these offices were two very meaningful ones to me: Marie Brown Associates and Writers and Readers.
Writers and Readers was this publishing company founded by Glenn Thompson. Glenn Thompson was a visionary. He published folks such as Huey P. Newton and Suheir Hammad. Suheir, about my age, had just published her first book Born Palestinian, Born Black. 
Glenn was dedicated to giving voice to every one. The existence of his publishing company, and all of its imprints, was exclusively dedicated to producing stories that balanced the rather skewed perception that can be cultivated through popular media.
And then there is Marie. Meeting Marie, at the time in my life that I did, was a very fortunate event for me. Marie recognized my talent immediately, and hired me, that fateful day, as we sat across from each other in some Noho diner. It was a generosity and openness that was to never stop.
Marie used to joke and call her offices at this building "the sitcom".  Her office was a Mecca for young artists of color, and those who considered themselves awake. Marie was, and continues to be, committed to cultivating young talent. Throughout the years I have been able to reflect on how truly fascinating the people are who I have not only encountered in my life, but who really have supported me and have believed in my writing from the beginning.
The great thing about Suheir and I is that we were able to create a  rapport with each other when we finally did re-connect. I was pleased to see that she was still doing her thing, and she, along with so many others of the Marie Brown family, will always be someone whose work I support.

Here's to the Gaza in all of us: their is such a thing as a sovereign soul.

Ironically, Glenn Thompson passed away just 3 days shy of 911.



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