Tell us about your book, I Crowned My Damn Self.

It is a collection of Poetry that I have written over a decade, once I discovered how much I actually wrote I set a goal to have it all published one day.  The poetry in my book is based off life’s personal experiences, things I seen on the news, friends that where murdered, deception of the heart, and the quest in me to find truth, and fight against social injustice.  I dedicated this collection of poetry to 4 very special friends in my life who were killed due to various forms of murder. These murders were the energy behind me writing.

What genre is it?

Freelance Poetry, No rules, no guidelines

What kind of readers will it appeal to?

I think my poetry appeals to the everyday person who wants to escape in to a realm of truth, and understanding of ones individuals thoughts.  I think my poetry appeals to readers that don’t shy away from big issues – race, rape, violence and more.

Does poetry have to have a purpose? 

For me poetry has to have a purpose. I use my poetry as a tool to share knowledge, add insight, or stimulate the reader to study and do the research, or better yet, wake up to what is going on around them! However, poetry is expression of the mind, so it does not have to have a purpose or be a call to action, for some writers it is an outlet.

You are a young black woman in 21^st Century America – is it impossible for you not to be socially conscious with that background?

Yes It is possible to lack social consciousness, but not for me! Society has it’s ways of keeping us off focus, diverting your interest, if you’re not paying attention. There are many people walking around in the dark, so to speak, not fully conscious of what is going on around them.  Being Socially Conscious is a choice, and you have do your own research.

What is the relationship between modern, black American poetry and hip-hop?

Modern poetry is a mirror of various historical and cultural forms of structured rhyme.  I would define Black American poetry as poetry in relation to the plight of the black experience in America.  Hip Hop can be defined as a culture all by its self, from lyrics, to clothing, to dance, and music etc.  Hip Hop is an expression that defies the norms and truly embraces freedom of expression in one’s own way. What I will say the relationship between the three is the ability to reach the reader with out uttering one word, but the ability to paint a picture through words.

Can you give us a verse from I Crowned My Damn Self that is indicative of your style?

Here is a verse from the Poem titled “The Grid” Page 3,  Chapter: Radical Thoughts

Like T.I. Said “Watch what you say”

Might just get locked away

Political Prisoner Assasta Shakur

Do your research, racism overt

Don’t be fooled by the Presidential selection

Like Condoms use Protection

Vote in all areas, not just the presidency

Then we can claim head of Household

Like on tax forms

To a small extent we win

Until Electoral College Factors in

Back to the begin

Un-Just