Category: Junior Literary

This is my last post of Black History Month, and I wanted to end it in a special way. Now, we all now Martin, Rosa, Malcolm, Harriet, etc. Those are the people that usually come to mind when most think of black history and activism. They left their mark and now have this tremendous legacy, but what about the people who are following in the paths that they paved? In no way am I minimizing the accomplishments of these great people, but I figured in this blog, instead of talking about the same people that are always talked about, I’d shed some light on those who are making a difference and creating change in our world today.

Kimberly Bryant

In 2011, Kimberly Bryant founded Black Girls Code, an organization created to provide technological opportunities for African-American girls. Bryant started the organization after her daughter had a bad experience at a computing summer camp, as one of only a handful of girls there. Being in biotech for 20 years prior, Bryant knew the struggle of being a woman in the male dominated industry, so she set out to create Black Girls Code with hopes of her daughter and other girls like her having a better experience in the technology field.

“Imagine. Build. Create. – Imagine a world where everyone is given the tools to succeed, and then help us build ways for everyone to access information and create a new age of women of color in technology.”

Tony Weaver

At 23-years-old, Tony Weaver, made Forbes’ “30 under 30” list in 2017. He is the founder and CEO of Weird Enough Productions. He created the company because of the misrepresentation of African-Americans in the media. His latest project, “Shades and Hues: The 21st Century Black Experience” deals with institutionalized racism.

“We are targeting minority groups who look at the media and don’t see themselves represented and those who are afraid to be themselves because they don’t want to be judged.”

Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi

These 3 women started the movement and hashtag #BLACKLIVESMATTER in 2013, after George  Zimmerman was acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin.

The movement was started to end violence and systematic racism against African-Americans. The organization also tackles other issues such as: racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality in the criminal justice system. Inspired by the Black Power and Black Feminist movements, the movement holds many protests and rallies to fight for their beliefs, as well as, using social media— by using the infamous hashtag.

“Could it be that we matter?”

– Patrisse Cullors,  When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir

Bryan Stevenson

Bryan Stevenson is the founder the Equal Justice Initiative (1989). The organization was started for people who were denied their right to a fair trial, were been misrepresented, or wrongfully-convicted to have effective legal aid. It allows defense to anyone in the state of Alabama in a death penalty case. In 2019, the organization recorded 125 cases in which people were saved from the death penalty.

“You don’t change the world with the ideas in your mind, but with the conviction in your heart.”

Beverly Bond

Beverly Bond is a DJ and model, but she is most known for her organization, Black Girls Rock! It began as a simple t-shirt design, but then grew as a mentorship program for young black girls. In 2006, Bond started the BLACK GIRLS ROCK AWARDS; the ceremony honors the accomplishments of black women in several categories: music, acting, politics, literature, and more. In 2010, she reached out to BET to broadcast the ceremony nationally, and it’s been an annual event since.

“Own your magic, walk in your purpose, and rock in your truth.”

Julieanna Richardson

Julieanna Richardson is a lawyer. She is also the founder of The HistoryMakers, which is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving the history of African-Americans— well-known and unsung. The organization has over 2,000 oral history interviews (8,000 hours of footage) in its archives.

“It wasn’t about names, but about finding history in places where people didn’t know history existed.”

Marley Dias

Marley Dias is proving that you can be an activist and make a change at any age— even 10! I guess age really is just a number. In 2015, she started a book drive to help bring attention to more books with African-American female protagonists with the hashtag, #1000BlackGirlBooks. Her goal was only to get 1,000; however, she exceeded her goal tremendously by collecting over 9,000 books. The campaign also brought more attention to the lack of diversity in children’s books. In 2019, Dias even wrote her own book, Marley Dias Gets it Done: And So Can You, which encourages and empowers young girls to use their passions to make a difference.

“As members of society, we should always be pushing our girls to strive to be the best and to speak up and out about issues we see.”

The people listed in this blog are just a few of the MANY African-Americans who are following in the paths paved by previous activists and creating change to build a better world for African-Africans.

If you want to learn about more of the black people who are making a difference today, follow the links listed below:

25 Black Women Who Are Changing the World

10 of America’s Most Daring Young Black Activists

5 Black Men Making a Difference in Your Community Today

The New Civil Rights Leaders: Emerging Voices in the 21st Century

I hope everyone had a wonderful Black History Month, and that you were educated and celebrated. I hope you enjoyed this month’s series, as a tribute to black history.  (Don’t forget to tune in next week, as my blogs will be a tribute to women’s history.) Thanks for reading!

Nature has always been something I’ve always loved and resonated with, and I’ve always wanted to write a piece expressing that. A couple months ago, we had to write a poem to submit to a writing competition and the first thing that came my mind was to write a sonnet about nature. As I started writing, my intention wasn’t to even make it something everyone else would like (which is what I usually aim for), but instead to write my admiration for the beauty I imagined when I wrote my poem, “A Beautiful Circle of Life” :

The wind sways the trees and carries its leaves

To the rushing river that welcomes its gifts. 

The water carries the leaves down the stream

And to the colorful and happy fish. 

Fish smile at the beauty the leaves bring

Spreading admiration far through the stream.

And as other animals come to drink,

They taste the joy touching their tongues with peace.

Spreading that same peace through their home with pride

And as it reaches to the birds, they sing.

They sing pure joy that soothes the ears outside, 

Outside their home, into the world they bring. 

The cycle of nature connects with joy

Spilling to the world for all to enjoy.

I was proud of this poem, not because I thought it would win anything; but because I felt like it came from me and it was different from what I usually write. My mom always told me I should try to write more positive things, but I never seemed to find inspiration to do so. After looking inside myself and finding that I have such a deep appreciation for nature, I decided I should write about that. After completing it, It gave me such a sense of accomplishment to go back and read it because sonnets are kinda hard to write (lol), and I challenged myself to write about something I thought I never could. After a couple months of turning it in to the competition, I completely forgot that I submitted it in the first place until I got an email from my teacher, Mrs Sibley:) To my surprise, my poem placed 3rd in the competition! I was so shocked and exited that I had actually won something in my writing and am still so thankful for the recognition it received. It has really caused me to look at my experience as a student at MSA and see how much I’ve truly grown in my writing.

Thank you guys for all the support you have given me and I hope you all have a great week!

Although I check every day off of my calendar, I have no concept of time (ask anyone that knows me). For instance, I am aware of March’s close proximity, but, for some reason, nothing registers. Until it hits me all at once, of course. I will be ordering at Taco Bell, and then I will suddenly realize that I have less than eleven weeks of school left. It is quite a challenge to enjoy your supreme nachos when your head feels destroyed by this one flashing word: Panic! (:

Yes, I will no longer be a junior in eleven weeks. Whenever time moves too slow, I am reminded of the days that remain, and let me tell you something: it sucks. Although I know that next year will bring more memories and happiness, a lot will change. For starters, goodbye, seniors. I think about that often, and it makes my nachos taste like sadness. The seniors are half of MSA, and it does not help one bit that I appreciate them as much as I do. It does not help that I am close friends with a few of them, either. However, whenever I think of the seniors leaving and of next year, I end up feeling optimistic despite the losses. I am excited to have a lovely roommate to take care of plants and listen to records with; I am excited to experience more coffee houses and other events; I am excited to actually know what the heck I am doing; I am excited to focus on writing and submissions and competitions more seriously; I am excited to see the upcoming juniors and possibly make friends (!); and I am excited to make more memories with the amazing friends that I have now. So, in conclusion, although I find myself dreading May, the month presents the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Although I will end my second-to-last year of high school and everything will change, I get to meet the upcoming juniors. Time overwhelms me, but I have to remember to count the weeks differently.

Still, eleven weeks is no time at all. Eleven weeks ago, we were in December.

Anyway, crisis aside…

I auditioned for MSA almost a year ago. Has it really been a year?

Recently, nostalgia will not leave me alone. I will be in the process of taking a math test, but then random memories slam into my brain, squeezing their way past the numbers and into my focus. To keep it brief, I have a lot of nostalgia, and I miss the weather of first semester. But on the other hand, so many amazing things have happened, and I am unquestionably happier now. It is honestly amazing to look back and realize how much has changed. For instance, I used to spend hours in my room doing homework and feeling stressed, but now I spend a lot of time outside. To certain people, I used to struggle saying hello to them, but now we talk all of the time. I once felt like an island, but now I feel so appreciated. And I love how we have all changed so much—in appearance and in spirit. Everyone has grown into themselves, I believe.

Random Interjection:

I planned on describing my experience of getting into MSA in this post, but it crossed 1000 words (plus, it has been a long day…). Plan on seeing it soon. I apologize for delaying its release, but it would not include any audition secrets anyway; you have to experience that yourself (diabolical laughter cued).

Dear auditioning sophmores,

You got this.

Last year, when I was in your shoes, I walked into the day without coffee and any belief in myself. I cowered next to my mom and felt incredibly inferior to every other person auditioning. And when we left, I looked around for a long time in silence, convinced that I would never set a foot on the campus again.

Fast forward to right now: I am a junior at MSA, I see the campus every day, and I no longer consider myself a mediocre artist. I wake up with a purpose, and I actually enjoy school. I love this place: everything from the fish sticks (the color of how ACT test prep makes me feel) and the apocalyptic sky (at night when it is cloudy). I have tremendous appreciation for everyone I have met here: the literaries, my teachers, my visual friends, and the people that randomly smile and say hello to me. I love eating outside and walking in circles and seeing squirrels. I love spinning in rolley chairs and seeing the literaries every day, and I love coffee house. And I will always remember making flower bouquets and sitting on the sidewalk during fourth block; I will always remember sitting in rocking chairs and complaining about “ye olde bones”. Some days stress can cloud your lungs and restrict your breathing, but there are more days spent running in the wind with your hair in your face, days spent spinning and making jazz hands at someone through a window.

So, sophmores, believe in yourself.

A year ago, I was trapped in an entirely different place than where I live now; I felt apathetic and pessimistic, and I questioned my merit.

You are amazing; you are your own person, and you got this.

Getting accepted into MSA altered my life because I left the unhealthy environment of my old school and found something new. I found teachers that helped me believe in myself; I found people that helped me feel free to be me; I found a myriad of reasons to change my life for the better. I made real friends and awesome memories: running down the hallway into a hug that knocked me off of my feet and spun me around, dropping my fries on the sidewalk and collapsing into a dramatic monologue, being gifted three tacos, tripping up stairs while running to class, hilarious impressions and expressions, landing in random but philosophical conversations, discussing the weather (seriously…very important), throwing leaves and drop kicking a plastic cicada, laughing over 80’s music videos, walking in the rain, discussing endless ideas and stories, playing a broken flute with a Sonic salt packet holding open a key, walking dramatically slow to homework, and endless dabbing and peace signs and jazz hands.

If you do not believe in yourself, look at me. I walked into auditions almost a different person than I am now. Because, over the course of the year, I have learned to accept orange and yellow despite the grey. I have learned to search for peace and keep hope alive, and I have learned that it is okay to be kind.

I did not even believe in myself, but look where I am now; I feel the most comfortable at a school than I have ever felt.

Have no fear. (:

Sincerely,

un perdedor

Wednesday’s Fun Fact:

You are crazy talented and amazing, and you can do anything. Also, everything always works out in the end, so remember that and resist giving up. You only fail when you stop trying.

So, recently the energy at MSA has been different. Astrologically speaking, it’s because Mercury is in retrograde. Empathically speaking, it’s because everyone has just become so weighed down by the dreariness of the weather.

That being said, I compiled a list of quotes for those that have been especially sad these past few weeks. There are Bible verses; however, if you are uncomfortable with reading them, you can skip over them or just negate the entire post. I promise, it’s fine! So, without further ado, here we go!!

• “There is no greater gift we can give another person than allowing them to be who they are, not who we may want them to be.”
• “So much effort goes into trying to be perfect. How much more attractive are vulnerability and imperfection?”
• “It’s tiring wanting things in the mind to be different than what they are.”
• “We are not our thoughts. We are not our emotions. If we can learn to experience them in this way, then we are free.”
• “If we’re always trying to escape difficult emotions, how can we understand them? Mindfulness is to be at ease with the mind, as it is.”
• “We do not have to slow down to be mindful. Simply to be present for each and every moment is enough.”
• “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)”
• “Bless those who persecute you. (Romans 12: 14)”
• “If someone only loves you for gain, it isn’t really love.”
• “Love is most evident when you’re in your worst state.”
• ” Maybe not everything needs a cure.”
• “Life is unmanageable, but share it with ones you love.”
• “…forget what lies behind and focus on what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13-14)”
• “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3)”

I hope these help you! May you stay safe and well in this drowsy weather and may you find peace in a time of emotional imbalance. And remember, I am always open to talk. Even if it’s about nothing at all. I am always open to sit and talk with whoever needs me. Just email me at azya.lyons@msabrookhaven.org. Have a good day, and be safe!!

-Azya <3

Sadly this is the last week of Black History month, crazy how time flies by. For this blog post I want to continue on showing appreciation to African American artists. So i’ll be naming some influential artist that paved the wave for the new generation. 

Mamie Smith (Sunrise: 1883 Sunset: September 16, 1946)

Mamie Smith was a blues singer and actress during the early 1900s. Mamie Smith’s birthday is not officially known, however, she believes that she was born in 1883 in Cincinnati. At the age of ten, she was touring with the Four Dancing Mitchells, and by the age of 20 in 1913 she moved to Harlem. In 1920, Mamie Smith made history by recording the first blues song, “Crazy Blues”.  The song was a success and sold 75, 000 copies within the first month. Mamie Smith paved the way for many successful African American blues singers that came after her. Such as Billie Holiday and “Ma Rainey”. After Mamie Smith appeared in many African American films for instance Jail Blues in 1929.

Sidney Poitier (Sunrise: February 20, 1927 – )

Sidney Poitier is a Bahamian-American multi-talented artist. He is an actor, director, visual artist and writer. In 1955, He moved to New York when he was 16 and joined the North American Negro Theatre. He acted in plays until he made his film debut in 1950. The film was entitled No Way Out.  In 1958, Poitier starred in the movie The Defiant Ones, earning him a nomination for the Academy Award for the Best Actor. Therefore, making him the first black actor to receive a nomination. In 1958, Poitier starred in the play, “A Raisin in the Sun” which was the first play to show by a black playwright, Lorraine Hansberry. In 1964, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor  and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Throughout his acting career, Poitier performed in some of the most controversial movies and plays. The movies addressed the issues of racism in 1950s and 60s. For example the movie Guess Who’s Coming to dinner, is about a white woman bringing home her black doctor boyfriend to meet her parents.

Lorraine Hansberry (Sunrise: May 19, 1930 Sunset: January 12, 1965)

Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago, Illinois. In 1950, she moved to New  York and began her career as a writer.  She is infamously known for being the first black playwright to have a play performed on broadway (A Raisin in the Sun).

Her second play, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window ran on broadway for 101 performances.  Lorraine also gave many influential speeches. The phrase “To be Young, Gifted, and Black” came from her speech, “The Nation Needs Your Gifts,” which she gave at a United Negro College Fund writing competition.

I wanted to be able to come here and speak with you on this occasion because you are young, gifted, and black…I, for one, can think of no more dynamic combination that a person might be. . . And that is why I say to you that, though it be a thrilling and marvelous thing to be merely young and gifted in such times, it is doubly so, doubly dynamic—to be young, gifted, and black.  –  Lorraine Hansberry

Arthur Mitchell (Sunrise: March 27, 1934 Sunset: September 19, 2018)

Arthur Mitchell grew up in Harlem, New York. When he was 18, he won a scholarship to the School of American Ballet. Later in 1956 he joined New York City Ballet and performed for 15 years with the company. He became the first black man to become a principal dancer.  Through his dancing Mitchell challenged the myth that african american dancers were not fit for ballet. In 1968, he opened up the Dance Theatre of Harlem because he wanted minorities to have more opportunities in the dance world. The repertory was and continues to be a huge success.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (Sunrise: December 22, 1960 Sunset:  August 12, 1988)

Jean-Michel Basquiat was from Brooklyn, New York. He made his debut being apart of the graffiti group, “SAMO” in the late 1970s. By 1980, his painting was featured art museums and exhibits. In his art, Basquiat challenged many issues in society. Such as racism, poverty, and drug use. His artwork highly contributed to the neo-expressionism movement. Unfortunately, Jean-Michel Basquiat passed away at 21 in 1988, however, his art and influence still live to this day. In 2017, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting, ‘Untitled’ became the most expensive painting to ever be auctioned at $110.5 million.

“Summertime” by My Chemical Romance feelings like the end of a good movie. Like walking out the theater with your back turned to the screen as the credits roll. You got to watch your favorite characters grow and learn lessons and eventually get their happily ever afters. You almost don’t want to leave. It’s an almost indescribable feeling.

Lyn-Z, bassist of Mindless Self Indulgence

Gerard Way, lead vocalist of MCR

When the lights go out                                     Will you take me with you
And carry all this broken bone
Through six years down in crowded rooms
And highways I call home?                             Something I can’t know ’til now
‘Til you pick me off the ground
With a brick in hand, your lip-gloss smile
Your scraped-up knees

The entire song is very specific to the couple it’s written about. Gerard was on tour with My Chemical Romance for six years, thus the “six years” and “highways I call home” line. Lyn-Z was known for wearing lip gloss and falling on her knees during solos.

And if you stay, I would even wait all night                  Or until my heart explodes                                  How long? ‘Til we find our way                               in the dark and out of harm
You can run away with me anytime you want

You can run away with me anytime you want

“You can write it on your arm”

It’s insane to me how much two people can love each other. It’s insane to me how much love a human being is capable of. That’s why I love this song so much. Not only is it a great song, but it also gives me a great feelings. It doesn’t matter what the love is about, it always seems to remind me of the people I love. It’s rare for me too fine a single song that can mean this much.

It also makes me feel like I’m in a coming-of-age movie.

The end.

I bet you have never heard of the Peaky Blinders. Well, me neither until I watched this show on Netflix and absolutely fell in love. Now, I’ll start by saying that this show is about crime and mobsters. If this doesn’t interest you, you might want to keep scrolling.

Before jumping into the show and all its glory, I would like to start by saying that the show is based off of real events. If you actually enjoy little history tidbits, this show is for you. The show follows the urban street gang, the Peaky Blinders. In real life, this was a street gang stationed in Birmingham, England. The gang was active during the end of the 19th century and after World War I. The gang grew in popularity by their involvement in local robbery, racketeering, violence, illegal bookmaking, and the control of gambling. Though the family in the show is fictional, the actions of the family and time period are very accurate.

*The name of the gang, Peaky Blinders, is based off of their signature move of sewing razor blades into their hats and well…you get the rest.*

The show currently has 5 seasons (hopefully many more) and features famous actors like:

Cillian Murphy

Tom Hardy

If you have seen ANY movie with these two men in it, you know how good it was.

I won’t give too much away because I want you to experience the show for yourself. The show follows the everyday lives of the Shelby family and the rise…and fall…of the Peaky Blinders. The show is quite vulgar, but if that doesn’t bother you, this show will have you on the edge of your seat!

I found this show while going through my “In love with the mafia” phase of my life. The entire aesthetic of the show just screams “mafia” and I was extremely captivated by the it. The acting of the show is top tier. Not a moment was skipped over. The show is also quite dramatic. There are a lot of cool scenes that are flashbacks, nightmares, and dreams. The entire cinematography of it all is honestly so beautiful. I’m really interested in seeing where they film the show and who chose the outfits and hairstyles and  just EVERYTHING!

Can you tell this is my favorite show yet?

The soundtrack for this show…let’s just take a minute of silence.

BECAUSE THE SOUNDTRACK TO THIS SHOW IS AMAZING.

It features music that you could envision a bunch of mobsters listening to.

I think the soundtrack is one of my favorite aspects of the show besides the acting. The acting is so realistic and natural that for a period of time I thought Cillian Murphy could have somewhat been apart of a mob once.

The overall show is 10/10 and I would highly recommend watching this show. Spring Break is right around the corner and I just know y’all need something to watch on Netflix! No worries…I’ve come to save you! *inserts wink emoji*

I hope you enjoy the show! Let’s chat if you do decide to watch it OR if you’ve already seen it. I need to distress my mind from the last season that just came out!

okay. i KNOW i’m not the only one who has spent countless hours reading books on Wattpad. i mean. what was i thinking?? i could read, like, 200 chapters in one night when i was 13.

for those of you that don’t know, Wattpad is a free app used to share and read books that people write. you can find any genre about almost any celebrity you can possibly think of. i always preferred Harry Styles and the Dolan Twins.

i’ve spent about 4 years on Wattpad now. (yes i still read it. don’t judge me. i can’t let go some of these books.) some of these books are actually really good. a few of them have even made it to the bookshelves. for example, After has recently become a major motion film and a real book. it started off as a Harry Styles fan fiction on Wattpad. of course i read it, lol.

like i said, some of these books are really good. and i’m going to recommend a few of them to you!

warning: THESE ALL CONTAIN PROFANITY AND OTHER BAD THINGS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

1. Untouched- _salacious
2. Torn- arialyn918
3. Silently Falling-EverlarkCatoniss
4. Amidst Silver And Rust- arialyn918
5. Stars-republicans
6. Chasing Red-isabelleronin
7. Wingless And Beautiful- jerileekaye
8. She’s With Me (series)- AvaViolet
9. After- Anna Todd

thanks for reading! peace out girl scout 🙂

Since auditions are coming up this weekend(woo!!) I thought it would be nice to do a little meet the literaries blog. Personally, I used to read the blogs before I got here and wondered what the senior literaries were like. So I’m here to introduce them in my perspective. Please enjoy, and hopefully you will feel more connected to us. 

Azya: Azya is such a welcoming person. If you ever need anything, she’ll be there for you in a heartbeat. She knows how to crack the best jokes, and is such a lovely human being in general. She may have a ton of things to do, but she will postpone all of that to help you.  Such a gem.

Brianna(Bri): Bri is such a bright light in the room. She has that natural caring energy with a smile that says that she accepts you. Azya and Bri are always laughing, continuously cracking jokes. She is so adorable, and a lovely human being.

Callie: Callie is pretty introverted when you first meet her, but she is yellow, orange, and sunset colors. She is such an amazing person to talk to. A conversation is never dull with her. Her writing is pure gold. You must meet the wild Callie if you are out in nature and spot her. 

Hannah(Maple):(Callie will be writing myself, because it’s a bit conceited to talk about who I am) Maple is absolutely amazing, honestly. Her poetry gives you chills and resonates with you long after you read it, the words settling in your chest and making you feel something real. She is someone to admire, without a doubt, and she is one of the strongest people I have ever met. She never gives up, and she gives everything her all. Although she has a professional flair that will persuade you to trust her with your life, she is incredibly funny and hilarious (hands-down the best person to spin around in rolley chairs with). She has a lovely aesthetic overall, and I appreciate her choice in fashion and music. Want someone to sit in nature with? Yep, find Maple. Also, you will never regret talking to her because she will make you laugh, and you will find yourself pouring out all of your secrets at the same time. All in all, 10/10, would recommend. (Thank you, Callie!)

Katie: Y’know, Katie may seem very serious on the outside, but she’s so goofy when you get to know her. She has one of the best styles, and is a great person to talk to. Also, she’s the only one in our classroom that does a sport here(Soccer). 

Maleigh: Maleigh is one of the most bubbly people you’ll meet. She knows what she needs to get done, knows who she is, and is a boss lady. You can typically find her crafting, or writing her next task in her planner. She’s one of the most helpful people you’ll meet.

Morgan: Morgan is litrally one of the funniest people in our class. She and I are always joking around. She is super sweet, and is caring as well. She is always listening to music, and is one of the people that you just instantly click with.

Stephyne(Steph): Steph is very quiet and to herself in the classroom, but if you take time to get to know her she is one of the coolest people you’ll know. Her style is…beyond me. We always catch each others eye during workshop and make faces at each other for laughs.

Well, that’s all of us! We are so excited to see the new junior literaries in May! Best of luck for auditions.

–Maple 🙂

I recall having an interesting conversation with a friend last year, the conversation with something like this.

Me: “What type of music do you listen to?”

Friend: “Oh I like jazz and blues.”

Me: “Really, do you listen to Nina Simone?”

Friend: “Who is that?”

After she expressed that she did not know who Nina Simone was, I was perplexed. If you say you are a lover of jazz and blues, then how come you don’t know the most influential jazz and blues singer of all time? So I became curious and began asking the people around me one simple question, “Do you know who Nina Simone is?” I was shocked when I discovered most people did not know of her. However, when I asked, ” I have you heard of the song, I put a spell on you?” Most of them said yes they did and expressed how much they loved the song. Then when I said, “Nina Simone is the reason why you know that song.” Their mouths dropped to the floor.

For this blog post, I decided to write about Nina Simone and her significance, so more people from my generation can learn about her impact. 

Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933. Growing up in Tyron, North Carolina she learned how to play the piano so well that she was able to play a piece just by ear. This extraordinary talent led her to attend the Juilliard School. Later in the years, she applied to Curtis Institute of Music to pursue becoming a classical pianist. Curtis Institute of Music was one of the most prestigious universities for music at the time. Unfortunately, Nina Simone didn’t receive a scholarship into Curtis Institute of Music. According to Nina Simone, “They didn’t allow me to start as a black classical pianist. I was refused a scholarship because I was black.”
However, her career took a surprising turn when in 1954 she started singing at Midtown Bar & Grill. At the nightclub, she sang popular songs and put her spin on it by combining the sound of jazz, classical, blues, gospel, and folk music.

It did not take long for people to notice Nina Simone’s incredible talents, and at the age of twenty-four, she found herself signed a recording label called Bethlehem Records. In 1957 she released her debut album called, Little Girl Blue, which included her hit, “I Loves You Porgy.”

After, Nina Simone’s music career skyrocketed. She released over forty albums under different record labels throughout her musical career such as The Amazing Nina Simone (1959), Nina Simone Sings Ellington (1962), High Priestess of Soul (1967) and I Put A Spell On You (1965) which peaked at number 9 on the UK Albums chart. Nina Simone’s music expanded across genres. She was appreciated by jazz, pop, folk, blues, and classical music lovers.

Nina Simone as the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement 

In the 1960s, Nina Simone used the impact in her voice and became a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches, but her main activism came from her protest music. After the assassination of Medgar Evers and the Alabama church bombings she released, “Mississippi Goddam”. Which was later banned from being played in the south.

Nina Simone also wrote the song, “To be Young, Gifted and Black”, which was a tribute to her late friend and playwright, Lorraine Hansberry.

She wrote “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)” after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968.

I love Nina Simone’s live performances. To me, she wore her emotions in her presence while performing. As a watcher, you know every emotion that she was feeling, whether she was happy, sad, or angry. My favorite live performance of hers is, “Take Me to the Water.”

Who was Miss Nina Simone? 

Looking back on that conversation I had with my friend, I am no longer perplexed on why they didn’t know of Nina Simone as a jazz and blues singer. It is because Nina Simone wasn’t just a jazz or blues singer. Nina Simone was an incredibly talented woman whose impact ranges all of the world and all genres. She wasn’t just a singer, she was an activist, she was a mother, she was a creator, and she was an inspirer. I can personally can that she inspires me every day because she didn’t let anyone check her into a box.

As for my generation, I hope that we grow and we learn more knowledge about the people who impacted this world. However, I do know that to learn about this history (people of color’s history) you have to want to learn about the true history. Especially if it’s not being offered to you in school. So I end this blog post with a quote by the great Nina Simone herself.

There’s no excuse for the young people not knowing who the heroes and heroines are or were. – Nina Simone 

Nina Simone

Sunrise: February 21, 1933

Sunset:  April 21, 2003