In addition to being a poet and author, Dr, Hall is a medical and surgical eye physician. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University where he played football and ran track. While at Cornell, Dr. Hall achieved All Ivy, All East Coast, All America Honors, Co-Captained The Cornell Track and Field Team, Cornell’s Athlete of the Year – 78′, Gold Medalist 78′ U.S. National Sport Festival Mini Olympics, Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee and Cornell’s Quill and Dagger Honorary Society.

Dr. Hall received his medical degree from Michigan State and his ophthalmology surgical subspecialty training from Harvard University.

Dr. Hall began writing poetry in high school; only later in life did he find his voice, vocation and salvation in composing verse.

Listen to Dr. Hall’s Spoken Word Segment

More Deception Than Reparation

Civil rights is to human rights

what Negro is to Nigger,

more deception than reparation.

Conceived as a mitigator,

civil rights was a lesser concession,

guilefully devised to disguise and mis-prize

the greater injustice and atrocities

white men have committed against humanity.

More deception than restoration,

civil rights allowed White America to fraudulently

appear redemptive and reparative to elude the

world stage of human rights abusers.

More deception than remuneration,

civil rights allowed White America to retain

its concocted world-wide moral authority and

colonizing imposition; while at the same time,

maintaining a predatory grip over Black Americans;

albeit a lesser grip for appearance sake.

More duplicity than indemnity,

civil rights is to human rights

what Negro is to Nigger,

more concession than redemption…

more deception than reparation.

Neal Hall, M.D. Copyright 2009

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Neal Hall, M.D., is a graduate of Cornell and Harvard Universities. In addition to being a medical and surgical eye doctor (Ophthalmologist), Dr. Hall is a poet and author.

Dr. Hall has written a critically acclaimed anthology of verse, Nigger For Life, reflecting his painful, later life discovery, that in “unspoken America," race is the one thing on which he is “first” judged, by which he is “first” measured, “first”, against which his life and accomplishments are metered diminished value, dignity, equality and justice. All of which have everything to do with accessing choice, opportunity, power and freedom in America.

In Nigger For Life. The body of poetry is extraordinary … meaningful beyond black and white, worthy of – down through the ages – analytical and academic study for their compelling, empowering commentary. Nigger for Life should be read, studied and included amongst the great poetry volumes written.  It is a powerful voice that speaks to the world.

It’s no ordinary muse that has Dr. Hall becoming as much a part of his poetry as his poetry has become a part of him. Rather it’s a deep sense of betrayal combined with a passion for life that shows through. He can’t help but bare his intelligence, his wit and his dreams. His anthology is as confronting as it is illuminating, as disarming as it is thought provoking

Nigger For Life’s candid, gut wrenching clarity gives it it’s tremendous power and impact to provoke both thought and honest dialog regarding race, racism, equality and freedom, not just in America, but throughout the world. The book’s unique ability to open minds, touch hearts and change philosophies of ordinary people is immeasurable.

Two notable and well respected minds best describe why Nigger For Life is timely: Cornel West, Ph.D., (Princeton University) said of the book  “…his poetry has the capacity to change ordinary people’s philosophy on social and racial issues”. Beth Richie, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Chicago) stated the  “images and issues addressed in Nigger For Life are tremendously important to our [African American] people and the academic field of African American Studies”

Visit Dr. Hall online at www.surgeonpoet.com.

April is National Poetry Month. We will be featuring poets this month during our 2nd annual Spoke Word Feature.

I am author and entrepreneur, A. Life… filled with words that flow the cup of my inner man… so much so… ’til drops form puddles… spilling over the sides. This piece is from My Cup Overflows… and it is titled; Stand Up!

Listen to A. Life’s Spoken Word Segment

Stand Up!

I’m balled up, squatted in a seated fetal position;

I’m afraid because my past constantly brings with it opposition.

My soul is vexed, because my inner man is perplexed, asking “Lord, Why?” and “Can you tell me what next?

I’ve been hurting for so long wondering, “Will my day ever arrive?”

“Will I ever be able to stand up and see life with my own two eyes?”

Instead I see it through the eyes of who I used to be. I just wanna be able to stand up, be free and see me for me.

My back and the side of my face is warm; heated because His light shines ever so bright.

If I rise to show my face, will that make everything alright?

The fear that grips me, acts as shackles on my hands and on my feet;

Connected in such a way that the only movement possible is the head on my neck and my mind’s release.

Even though I’ve been in this state for quite some time;

I remain optimistic about my future because soon it will be my time to shine.

The tears that flow from my inner man, the man or woe-man, I used to be;

Is causing my fetters to rust, to the point of break-ability.

The sound of the metal hitting the ground is like music to my ears;

The pain from my joints being bound reminds me of the hell I’ve come through in the yesteryears.

You probably think I should be hurting, just from the pain alone;

But as I stated before, it could be worse. I am rising to a place called: Home.

Unfolding my limbs slowly and one at a time, I’m patient not to get in a hurry;

Being able to stretch is not just a new beginning, it’s cool, but my vision is blurry.

Not only am I excited to be vertical, I’m absolutely elated;

The last obstacle I must overcome is regaining my eyesight, His perfect light blinded me and my pupils are dilated.

After blinking several times and bringing my perspective into focus;

The movement of my body parts is fluid and in view is my purpose.

My hands are raised to give Him praise because His love has lifted me;

My feet step high to do that dance, symbolizing that “I am free.”

The only time you see me squatting will be to pick something up!

Whether it is a piece of trash or your face from my speech’s strut;

No more fetal sitting will I do;

Please believe me when I tell you…

I am called to STAND UP!!!
Copyright 2010 A. Life… All Rights Reserved.

Mrs. Wanda J. Burnside is an award-winning poet and writer. Since 1970, she has received more than 25 national and local honors in writing. At the age of 20, while a student at the University of Detroit, she received her first poetry award from Broadside Press. In 1999, she received both “The Writer of the Year Award” and “The Persistence Writer of the Year Award” from the American Christian Writers Association.

Wanda is one of the contributing poets in the newly released anthology, SISTAHFAITH: Real Stories of Pain, Truth, and Triumph published by Simon and Schuster of New York.  Wanda is a contributing author and poet in other major Christian books such as: Too Soon to Say Goodbye and Wounded by Words true painful stories complied by Susan Titus Osborn, MA, Karen L. Kosman and Jeenie Gordon, MS, MA, LMFT. FAITH: Use It . . . or Lose It! by Minister Mary Edwards.

Listen to Wanda’s Spoken Word Segment

If you have trouble with the player below, you can download (right-click and chose “save as”) the mp3 file

BIO CONTINUED …

She has written three books: Rejections – 12 Steps to Recovery, The Christian Poetry Guide and Free From It! In 2010, several new books will be published: STAND, Deliver Us from Evil and others. Wanda is the founder and publisher of THE LAMP newsletter. She has written more than 800 poems, 22 performed plays for children and four drama productions for adults. Her poem, “A Prayer Can Reach Heaven” and “Come to Me,” have been produced as video productions.

Wanda is married and lives in Detroit, MI.

POEM…

Pat G’Orge (pronounced Gee-or-jay) – Walker is in a league of her own. This accomplished Christian author and comedienne has an amazing mind and talent for turning her observations of church and black church life, in particular, into gems of sidesplitting humor. It is her own special gift from God that enables G’Orge-Walker to depict the often ridiculous antics of church folk. She does it without subverting the Good News or watering down the potency of its message.

If you have trouble with the player below, you can download (right-click and chose “save as”) the mp3 file.

Somebody’s Sinning in My Bed

Pat G’Orge-Walker delivers a wickedly funny, uplifting novel of love and betrayal. . .good karma and bad karma. . .sin and redemption.

Chyna and her sister Janelle are always moments away from a catfight. They love each other, but Janelle has never forgiven her sister for swiping her first love, Cordell. That was ages ago, and now Chyna is showing off as the First Lady of New Hope Assembly, a church that’s caught between the old ways of Holiness and new ways of serving its community. New Hope’s leader, Reverend Grayson Young, is also caught. . .in the infamous Sweet Bush lounge, an establishment well-known for adult pleasures.

With the church congregation running wild in the aftermath of her husband’s scandalous behavior, Chyna turns to her sister Janelle for guidance. But if Chyna thinks she’s getting sympathy from Janelle, she’d better think again, because Janelle’s got her own crisis. And when Cordell suddenly comes back into the sisters’ lives, what follows are squabbling, chaos, and surprises that show just how hard the road to salvation really is.

Visit Pat online at www.patgorgewalker.com.

Rachel grew up in Newark, East Orange, and Orange NJ. She the mother of four adults, wife, grandmother of two gorgeous girls, a published author & poet, motivational speaker, radio talk show host and community leader

Rachel puts family first and enjoys life in Virginia. When she’s not writing, she also enjoys reading, dining out, traveling, and watching movies. She accredits her gain in blessings and achievements to her relationship and guidance from her creator, association with great women, positive family members, loyal friends, the upbringing of an amazing woman-her mother, and the support and love of her husband and children

If you have trouble with the player below, you can download (right-click and chose “save as”) the mp3 file.

Family Pictures

Family Pictures is a literary picture into the lives of two women who learn about themselves through the pains of family secrets, forgiveness, and unconditional love; and the growth that comes from life’s lessons. It is also the journey of ups and downs with those people they call family.

Visit Rachel online at http://www.RachelBerry.webs.com.

Monique’s novels include Secret Sisterhood, Soul Confessions and Redemption Lake. She lives in Cary, North Carolina with her family, where she is currently working on her fourth novel!

If you have trouble with the player below, you can download (right-click and chose “save as”) the mp3 file.

Redemption Lake

During an exclusive seven day marriage retreat, secluded in the mountains of North Carolina, three couples gather in last ditch attempts to save their troubled marriages.  Can these couples pick up the pieces and move on?  Will all be forgiven and forgotten?  See what happens when marital secrets are exposed and all hits the fan.

Will seven days be long enough to change lives, save marriages and redeem souls?

Visit Monique online at AuthorMoniqueMiller.com.