FIGHTING TIGERS News: Renowned Poet and Activist Nikki Giovanni Speaks at EWC (457 hits)
“War is not a jobs program,” world-renowned activist, academic, poet and professor Nikki Giovanni said Friday at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla. Her colorful message engaged students, fans and media at the college.
The event, which boasted a packed house, was part of Edward Waters College’s Academic Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES) and First Year Experience (FYE). While the crowd showed up and showed out for the woman many believe is the godmother of spoken word, one would be remiss not to highlight the EWC Choir, their diverse vocal range and spirited performance.
Before Giovanni launched into her rousing speech, she lauded the group and said that they needed to visit Virginia Tech, where she is a professor of Black Studies.
The spirited 68-year-old boasts a list of accolades longer than her diminutive frame, but presented a message on behalf of academic underdogs. Virginia Tech is an athletic powerhouse; yet, she advocated for arts education and the need for art scholarships.
“The hardest working dollar is the art dollar,” Giovanni said using constant product turnover as evidence.
Part of the problem is that schools readily pay for athletic hands, but hesitate to financially reward artists. She said that singing, clapping and praising the Lord take something out of a person.
