2008 Woodie Awards
The African experience: poet enchants audience
Jenny Wilkins, Entertainment Editor
Issue date: 2/20/08Section: News
"I write when I am angry," said Ghanainan-born poet and writer Theresa Kwofi, guest speaker at the African Students' Association's "I am African" forum held on Feb. 19. "I write to tell the world it is not right."
The evening was filled with both stirring discussion and laughter between Kwofi and her student audience. It was an informative and refreshing exchange of ideas between generations. So it is a wonder, then, why Council Hall was not filled to its capacity.
"This was a needed event for the campus," said freshman Marie-Therese Guessou, after the event ended. "It talked about things more people need to know. I wish more St. John's students who weren't African would participate."
Sophomore Chibuzo Ugonabo agreed.
"The people that need to be here aren't here. More St. John's students need to be here," said Ugonabo, an information technology major. More Americans should be here to learn about Africa. We are great people too. We are not that poor country that people think we are."
ASA Treasurer Inem Akpan began the night by stating the importance of ASA's mission: "Just know that we all come from the same place," said Akpan. "We should all be concerned with what happens in our continent."
An introduction by Akpan, Abiola Ayinde, community service and fundraising chair, and Gerard Miller followed. Each respectively presented separate segments about Africa: "Africa 101," covering the Diaspora and subsequent ethnic diversity; the politics of Africa; and Culture and Arts of Africa.
Kwofi then took the podium to speak about the motivation behind her book "Mother Africa: Thou Art a Continent," a collection of moving essays and poetry on her homeland. Kwofi, who earned her BFA in Fine Arts from Brooklyn College, both encouraged and chided the audience.
"I think I am the only writer who writes uphill," said Kwofi, who read the two poems "Africa is Not" and "Blank Murky Minds" from her book. "I write to bring the beauty out of Africa […] You can dream all you can, but you have to wake up and face reality."
The evening was filled with both stirring discussion and laughter between Kwofi and her student audience. It was an informative and refreshing exchange of ideas between generations. So it is a wonder, then, why Council Hall was not filled to its capacity.
"This was a needed event for the campus," said freshman Marie-Therese Guessou, after the event ended. "It talked about things more people need to know. I wish more St. John's students who weren't African would participate."
Sophomore Chibuzo Ugonabo agreed.
"The people that need to be here aren't here. More St. John's students need to be here," said Ugonabo, an information technology major. More Americans should be here to learn about Africa. We are great people too. We are not that poor country that people think we are."
ASA Treasurer Inem Akpan began the night by stating the importance of ASA's mission: "Just know that we all come from the same place," said Akpan. "We should all be concerned with what happens in our continent."
An introduction by Akpan, Abiola Ayinde, community service and fundraising chair, and Gerard Miller followed. Each respectively presented separate segments about Africa: "Africa 101," covering the Diaspora and subsequent ethnic diversity; the politics of Africa; and Culture and Arts of Africa.
Kwofi then took the podium to speak about the motivation behind her book "Mother Africa: Thou Art a Continent," a collection of moving essays and poetry on her homeland. Kwofi, who earned her BFA in Fine Arts from Brooklyn College, both encouraged and chided the audience.
"I think I am the only writer who writes uphill," said Kwofi, who read the two poems "Africa is Not" and "Blank Murky Minds" from her book. "I write to bring the beauty out of Africa […] You can dream all you can, but you have to wake up and face reality."
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