In this episode, black feminist poet and performance artist Gabrielle Civil grapples with the slippery, urgent nature of black time, what she calls the déjà vu. She talks to fellow poets Rashidah Ismaili and jayy dodd, scholar Michelle M. Wright, and visionary six year old Naima about poetry and history, memories and the future. This episode offers sonic experiments, spotlight readings, and intimate chats to bring the déjà vu alive. (Also check out Gabrielle’s new book the déjà vu, available 2/22/22.)

Hosted by: Gabrielle Civil
Featuring: Rashidah Ismaili, jayy dodd, Michelle M. Wright and Naima
Produced by: Tyree Rush
Transcription by: Kristen Jeré

Poets:
Octavia Butler
Nikki Giovanni
Alexis Pauline Gumbs

Roll Call: Gabrielle Civil vs. Black Time or the déjà vu

The VS podcast is a bi-weekly series where poets confront the ideas that move them. Hosted by poets Ajanaé Dawkins and Brittany Rogers, produced by Cin Pim/Ombie Productions, and presented by the Poetry Foundation.

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In today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of interviewing Safiya Sinclair. Join them as they discuss the craft of switching to memoir, maintaining self-confidence while navigating academia, what their teenage selves would think of them, and the influence Jamaica has on Safiya’s writing.

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Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!
Audre Lorde: AUDRE LORDE | Poetry is Not a Luxury
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Writing Prompt: Who are you writing for? Who is coming after you that you hope your work makes a difference for? Write them a letter.

Safiya Sinclair vs. The Sea

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Toni Cade Bombara: Toni Cade Bambara
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A24 Movies: Moonlight | Official Trailer HD | A24

Writing Prompt: What research is vital to the art you are making? Add journal entries to research documents you are collecting.

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Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

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Writing Prompt: Make a playlist of music that scores your poems. Listen to it while revising a poem.

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Torkwase Dyson: Desert X | Torkwase Dyson
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Writing Prompt: Write a poem only in dialogue. Title it with the name of a theory or theoretical framework.

Roll Call: Gabrielle Civil vs. Black Time or the déjà vu

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