Microphone Check, Micro-Microphone Check!! Is This Thing Still On?

What’s the deal everyone? This is your boy Angelo dusting off my keyboard, putting away the umberella…ella…ella…eh, eh, eh (sorry ya’ll, Rihanna is currently on the radio), and checking back in from a longer than expected blogging hiatus to offer you the 411 of what’s going down here on Vanderbilt’s campus. Before I do that though, a heart-felt CONGRATULATIONS goes out to all of you great prospective students who were admitted to Vanderbilt during the Early Decision 1 admissions process. You have joined a great legacy here at Vanderbilt and as an alumnus of the institution, I am very excited about the vibrant energy and new possibilities that the Class of 2012 will bring to campus.

Now with that said, wzup…Wzup…WZUP??? (Do ya’ll remember that from the television show Martin?) I feel like I just don’t know ya’ll no more! LOL! (That one was from the Color Purple). I know, I know…I’m old! But the reason why I quoted a television show and a movie from back in the day is because there is a great new organization that started on campus this semester that doesn’t necessarily quote television shows and movies, but uses the art of poetry to convey messages that extend generations and addresses controversial societal issues in hopes of elevating the consciousness of our campus community. This group is known as VANDY SPOKEN WORD.

A…HEM (As I clear my throat)…HERE YE, HERE YE, in salute to the Vandy Spoken Word movement sweeping campus, here is my unique, ORIGINAL attempt at a spoken word (actually written word for all the technical folks in the crowd) piece that I think you all might like. It’s somewhat of a sensitive topic, but I trust you enough not to judge me and my ORIGINAL work. Okay…I’m nervous…A'HEM (clearing my throat again!), but here we go…I call this piece, “Man, Oh Man, The Man, in the Mirror.”

As I, Turn Up The Collar On
My Favorite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See Their Need…
That's Why I Want You to Know
I'm Starting With ‘Man, Oh Man, The Man, In The Mirror’
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself,
And Then Make A Change!!

Thank you! Thank you! (Snap, Snap...you know, that's what you do at a live poetry slam!) That was smooth right? I know, I know…that's because I'm a OP, an ORIGINAL POET! LOL!

I'm just joking around, but actually this piece, minus my title, is the work of the King of Pop himself, Mr. Michael Jackson (at least he sang it anyway). However, the reason why I selected this piece is because just like Michael Jackson brought awareness to issues of homelessness throughout the world from his song, The Man in the Mirror, Vandy Spoken Word attempts to bring personal awareness to a myriad of national issues including diversity, politics, and sexism. Definitely making a significant difference on campus, I caught my first glimpse of this group a few weeks ago at the VIBE Show (the original Hip Hop Dance group on campus) and Vandy Spoken Word was OFF THE CHAIN to say the least. In fact, what I appreciate most about this group is that life is not just black and white to the members of this organization, but they are welcoming to anyone with an opinion and a voice willing to step up and speak out! As a result, this is a group to definitely check out and to get more information about the organization, check out their website at: http://www.vandyspokenword.com/index.html

Alright Sports Fans, I'm out for now, but check back periodically and I'll have more news for you about the greatness that is Vanderbilt. Later...for now, from an ORIGINAL POET!! :)