Quraysh Ali Lansana, Enid native, receives NAACP Image Award

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Quraysh Ali Lansana, born Ray Myles, in Enid, was awarded an NAACP Image Award for his work in literature and education in a ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 17.

From The Oklahoman:

Lansana — who attended the University of Oklahoma before he crossed over from broadcast news to poetry — and co-author Georgia A. Popoff have been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for excellence in instructional literature for the book “Our Difficult Sunlight: A Guide to Poetry, Literacy and Social Justice in Classroom and Community.”

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards will be televised nationally at 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.

The book is a teaching tool for writing instructors. Lansana has spent 10 years as an associate professor of English and creative writing at Chicago State University.

Lansana teaches at Chicago State University.

Occupy OKC statement addresses recent issues and updates event schedule

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Occupy OKC released a statement on Tuesday, Nov. 2:

Memorial Service For “The Poet”
Occupy OKC will host a public memorial service for “The Poet” this Saturday evening, November 5th, at Kerr Park in downtown Oklahoma City at 6:00 p.m. The service will celebrate the life of this homeless youth who changed the life of the people he met and has inspired a spirit of unity in our community. People will be encouraged to share their stories of their encounters with “The Poet,” who was known for his unabashed hugs, his joyful exuberance at life, his skillful talent as a street poet, and a wonderful spirit of giving and unselfish love that was an inspiration to everyone he met at in our community.

Live music this weekend
Saturday’s memorial service will be preceded by a free live music concert featuring OKC pop-rock pianist Tara Dillard from 4 to 6pm in the Kerr Park amphitheater, and a free public workshop on non-violence and civil disobedience conducted by OKC attorney Rex Friend from 3-5pm at Kerr Park. The memorial will be followed by a community dinner.

Occupy OKC will continue its free live music concert series this week 4-6pm Thursday through Sunday featuring performances by Victor Zuniga on Thursday, Dustin Prinz on Friday, Tara Dillard on Saturday, & Beth Isbell on Sunday at the Kerr Park amphitheater.

Nov. 2 General Strike!
Occupy OKC also wishes to express its solidarity with the call for a general strike for today, Wednesday, November 2nd, by Occupy Oakland and encourages local businesses to close for the day, and for supporters of the Occupy movement here in the OKC metro area to attend the protest rally being hosted by Occupy Norman from noon today on the OU campus near Dale Hall and their 4pm march to show support for local businesses.

Solidarity
Occupy OKC stands in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and we are unified in the desire to make our Government more responsive to ordinary citizens instead of just being responsive to those interests – like the wealthy elite, banks, wall street & big corporations – that have the most money. We all would like to see meaningful campaign finance reform and other measures enacted that actually ensure this change occurs. Beyond that, each of us bring our own issues and concerns, and we highly encourage everyone’s participation. This is why we do not affiliate with or support any particular political party & welcome anyone to join us regardless of their political affiliation.

Appreciation
Occupy OKC would also like to thank all of the generous supporters who have donated supplies or other items. If you would like to make a donation, there is a supply list and a button to make financial contributions on the Home page of our website. Finally, Occupy OKC would like to remind everyone in our OKC community of our Occupy OKC Good Neighbor policy posted at the Info tab of our website – www.OccupyOKC.com – which is applicable to all our events. Thank you to the OKC community for your heartfelt wishes of sympathy and condolences for the loss of our friend “The Poet.” He will be missed.

Kerr Park is at the corner of Broadway and Robert S. Kerr in downtown Oklahoma City. The group’s web site is at OccupyOKC.com

OccupyOKC Plans Protest at State Capital, Other Major Events This Weekend

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OKLAHOMA CITY – On Saturday, October 29th, Occupy OKC will be joining with other Occupy groups in Oklahoma in a protest march to the State Capitol. The protest march will leave Kerr Park at 11:30am. The event will feature several distinguished guest speakers and a series of short speeches by participants of Occupy OKC and live music protesting the undue influence of money on our political system. The event will end at 3pm and the protestors will return to Kerr Park to enjoy the 4pm music concert that afternoon.

Occupy OKC will be hosting a series of weekend music concerts in Kerr Park every Thursday through Sunday, 4-6pm, beginning this weekend featuring some of the best local and national touring folk musicians coming through OKC. These free music concerts are open to the public and will be held in the amphitheater at Kerr Park. Occupy OKC would like to thank all of the musicians who have generously donated their time and our booking agent Tara Feuerborn, (405) 412-7366, with Blue Moon House concerts for generously donating her time. This weekend’s line-up will feature Victor Zuniga (OKC) on Thursday 4-6pm and John Brooks (Touring Nationally) on Sunday 4-6pm, and several other local bands on Friday & Saturday afternoon 4-6pm.

On Sunday, October 30, at 8pm, Occupy OKC will be hosting a Candlelight Vigil to honor first responder and war veterans. The public is encouraged to attend and bring thank you cards and posters with messages of thanks to honor their service to our community and country, and to also bring candles to light to signify your appreciation. This will be a solemn native American style event. After an initial welcome by the Occupy OKC Compassion Team, first responders, war veterans and their families will be encouraged to step up to the mic and share their stories, concerns and victories. There will also be a moment of silence to honor all of our fallen heroes. Please come to Kerr Park and help us say thank you.

On Monday, October 31, at 6pm, Occupy OKC will be hosting a safe family friendly Halloween event in Kerr Park with free candy, face painting & other fun activities for children, and live music for parents.

Occupy OKC stands in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and we are unified in the desire to make our Government more responsive to ordinary citizens instead of just being responsive to those interests – like the wealthy elite, banks, wall street & big corporations – that have the most money. We all would like to see meaningful campaign finance reform and other measures enacted that actually ensure this change occurs. Beyond that, each of us bring our own issues and concerns, and we highly encourage everyone’s participation. This is why we do not affiliate with or support any particular political party & welcome anyone to join us regardless of their political affiliation. If you agree, please come join us!

Occupy OKC would also like to thank all of the generous supporters who have donated supplies or other items. If you would like to make a donation, there is a supply list and a button to make financial contributions on the Home page of our website. Finally, Occupy OKC would like to remind everyone in our OKC community of our Occupy OKC Good Neighbor policy posted at the Info tab of our website – www.OccupyOKC.com – which is applicable to all our events.

Oklahoma’s 25th Fall Peace Festival

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Saturday, Nov. 12th, 10 am to 4 pm Civic Center Music Hall – “Hall of Mirrors” Admission Free The 25th annual Peace Festival will be a holiday shopping bazaar, featuring tables of more than 50 social justice groups and local crafts vendors. It will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12th, from 10 am to 4 pm, in the Civic Center Hall of Mirrors, in downtown Oklahoma City (map). Admission is free. “Live entertainment by local musicians and colorful fair trade goods on sale make this a popular event for supporters of human rights, social justice, environmental sustainability, and peace,” said Conna Wilkinson, Director of the Peace Education Institute, cosponsor of the event. All groups provide informative materials, in addition to crafts and goods for sale. Food items at many tables and refreshments will also be available for visitors. A Children’s Activity Room will be supervised by adults during the event, Wilkinson said(Read more...)


This is an excerpt of an article originally published by The Peace House Oklahoma City.