Renowned poet and social activist Nikki Giovanni spoke in the Talley Student Union Wednesday night, touching on race relations and racial progress in the United States.
In addition to reading her poems and providing social commentary on a variety of topics with pertinence to black Americans, Giovanni also mixed in her sense of humor.
“When people tell me that Rosa [Parks] only decided to stay sitting because she was tired, I say that is crap,” Giovanni said. “The bus where Rosa Parks stood is sacred ground, not unlike the area in Greensboro where those four young men took a stand.”
Giovanni spoke about the Pullman Porters, who were black men hired to work on the railroads. The Pullman Porters are considered historically important because they contributed to the development of a black middle class in the United States, which would later evolve into the first all-black union and organization, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.
When successful musicians, such as Louis Armstrong, performed for predominantly white audiences and didn’t openly participate in the Civil Rights Movements for fear of retribution, they would provide funding through the Porters to support NAACP and other activists’ efforts, Giovanni said.
Student Body President-elect Khari Cyrus said that it was amazing for him to see how good-humored, and yet powerful, someone of Giovanni’s stature could be.
“I just think it was great to hear her stories , and I think this kind of goes with Pan-African Week in general — the idea of black excellence,” Cyrus said. “Just taking away the idea that African Americans on campus and in society in general, taking away the negative stereotypes and replacing those with positive examples and positive role models, just having her coming here and speaking for Pan African Week was amazing.”
Chancellor Randy Woodson agreed that Giovanni provided meaningful dialogue for the audience.
“She’s an amazing poet,” Woodson said. “Anyone that has written about the history that she has is going to have such a strong voice. She tells great stories and shares her poetry beautifully.”
The event was sponsored by the Black Students Board, and Giovanni served as a keynote speaker for this year’s Pan-African Week. At the conclusion of the ceremony, BSB president Amira Alexander presented Giovanni with the 28th annual Role Model Leader Award. Past recipients include former Gov. James B. Hunt and Maya Angelou.
“Nikki is alike a lot of people in our country that we need to hear from, that inspire us, that remind us of our past, that motivate us to keep us focused on what’s right, and we have a lot we need to keep working on, not just here at NC State but around the country,” Woodson said.
