Speaking Turtle's Cafe

I Hear Your Mother Likes It, Like This...

BOSTON – According to a study currently being conducted by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, an interesting side discovery is proving that one of the strongest audiences for spoken-word poetry is the 65+ demographic. Regular and special poetry events at various venues that successfully draw consistent audiences tend to have an average 26% representation of elderly poetry enthusiasts, despite the revitalization of the medium as a young, hip activity. Senior citizen centers and programs throughout the country remain among the most consistent performance and workshop venues for spoken-word as well.

Spoken-word events and venues re-emerged in popularity during the mid 1990’s, mirroring the spoken-word movements of the 1950’s and 1960’s. In 2001, record and comedy show mogul, Russell Simmons, introduced Def Poetry Jam as an HBO series and eventually a touring, Broadway show. According to sources at Def Jam, the audience for their television shows and live shows have a similar demographic as that being uncovered by the MCC.

These findings are consistent with my own experiences as a spoken-word artist/ venue host. Having recently experienced a number of performances and book signings, book-buying, name-dropping elders recall their days of seeing Allen Ginsberg, Gil Scott Heron, Amiri Baraka, Oscar Brown, Jr., or Bob Kaufman. Definitely good literary and oral traditional company to be in. One in particular, when the Talking Drum Poets had an Art-I-Gras gig one New Years Eve and played to a packed house of elderly folks. It turned out that most of them were fans of our cable show and wanted to see it live.

When you consider that the jazz poets and Beatniks would now be in their 70’s and 80’s; and the socio-political coffeehouse culture of the 1960’s and early 70’s are now be in their 50's and 60's, it makes sense. For example in June of 2006, The Whaling City Poetry Review hosted a special celebration of what would have been the 80^th birthday of legendary Beat poet, and cultural icon Allen Ginsberg, also celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the publication of his epic poem, “Howl.” This event drew a generational cross section of poets ranging in age from five to over 90. Contemporary poets and spoken-word artists have also noted that most of their venue-based book and CD sales are made to the 55 plus crowd. As a spoken-word, it makes me wonder what the rooms are going to look like thirty years from now.

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A TUTORIAL: Absurdity, Allegory, Metaphor, and Satire

I start to think, and then I sink into the paper, like I was ink. When I'm writing I'm trapped in between the lines. I escape when I finish... - "You Got Soul" Rakim Allah

MASHPEE – A writer sits at his laptop, amused by some of the comments left on his recent blogs. It can sometimes be amazing, that with the presence and popularity of such animated shows as Family Guy, King of the Hill, and The Simpsons, how folks still can’t recognize allegory, metaphor, absurdity, and satire. Instead, wry humor is mistaken for writing under the use of narcotics. Nope, folks on drugs write things like Alice In Wonderland, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Metamorphosis, and Les Fluers De Mal are examples of altered-state writings. Mine is just an exercise. As a long-time fan of writers like Harold Pinter, Ishmael Reed, Jack Douglas, and William S. Burroughs, he thought he could escape his socially cast role of apologist and return to the roots of his creative writing, but alas, it’s lost of a few.

He considered posting a mini-glossary that might be of some value to some readers (Oxford Pocket Dictionary, 3^rd Edition):

Absurdism (ab-surd-ism) n. An existential philosophy based on the belief that society is irrational and that the search for or expectation of order brings the individual into conflict with the universe.

Allegory (al-le-go-ry) n. A tale where the characters and events serve as symbols for a deeper truths and general realities of human existence.

Metaphor (Met-a-for) n. A figurative use of language, using one object to symbolize another, drawing upon anaolgy and simile.

Satire (Sa-tire) n. A literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn.

For more erudite and serious writings from this author, his fees start at $110/page. Otherwise, we’ll have to deal with what he feels like posting. There’s always the option to ignore and keep going.

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He Seemed Like Such A Normal Guy, Says Neighbor of Paul

BARNSTABLE – It has been quite a week for Peter Paul, a 29 year-old roofer, accused of having an autosexual relationship with a Chevy. The quite life that he led has changed completely. His neighbors all avoid him and try to hide their cars when they see him coming. He is not allowed within 500 feet of any Chevrolet car dealership, and he comes home to find toy cars pinned to his front door each day. “He seems like such a normal guy.” Said one of Paul’s neighbors, “rather quite, kind of kept to himself. He used to like to wash his car behind the house.” One neighbor bristled with horror at a memory of the number of times he loaned his car to Paul to run errands. Each time, Paul brought the car back washed and vacuumed. “Probably hiding the evidence.” quipped another neighbor. There was a collective shudder as they recalled the time that Paul took a bus load of neighborhood kids to the go-kart track. “Who would have thought?” mused one woman. A warranted raid on Paul’s house, two days ago, revealed that Paul was a collector of niche car magazines and internet based photos of go-carts. He has not been formally charged with the new findings.

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Early Morning Raid on Paul's House

BARNSTABLE – At approximately 6:00 pm on Thursday, law enforcement officials raided the home of accused autosexual Peter Paul, armed with a search warrant. The search revealed thousands of car magazines, and photos of cars hanging all over the house, including niche magazines featuring cars, trucks and motorcycles in suggestive poses, sprawled over models in bikinis. However, after officials confiscated Paul’s computer, they found thousands of downloaded pictures of go-carts and mopeds on his hard drive. “It’s worse then we thought” said one officer, “apparently Paul is not only a autosexual he’s also a mopedaphile.” NMCLA attorneys are working to suppress the evidence on the computer as it was not part of the warrants purview. Paul was not available for comment.

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Paul Out On Bail NMCLA Comes To His Defense

BARNSTABLE – Alleged vehicular rapist, Peter Paul was released on $10,000 bail this morning. The controversial organization NMCLA (National Man-Car Love Association) came to Paul’s defense, claiming that not having bail set was a violation of his civil rights, pointing out that even people repeatedly arrested for car theft have bails set in the low thousands. They also pointed out that if detained, the county would have to place Paul in protective custody if they held him, as it is well known what happens to autophiles behind bars. It was also pointed out that Paul is a low flight risk, as he has never been able to drive a car for longer then twenty minutes without having to stop and rest for three hours. Neither Paul nor his NMCLA attorneys were available for comment.

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Paul and Monte Carlo Have History, Reports Law Enforcement

BARNSTABLE – As reported earlier, 29 year-old Barnstable resident, Peter Paul was arrested for Vehicular Indecency, after being caught in the act of sexually assaulting a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. It has since been determined that Mr. Paul and the car have a history together. Paul apparently purchased the vehicle in 2004 and lost it to repossession in mid 2006 after missing several months of payments. The car’s present owner, Tommy Rindle, purchased the Chevy in early in 2007 and Mr. Paul tracked it to their home. Mr. Paul, a roofer, will not be charged with Statutory Vehicular Indecency as the car was purchased by him in 2004, technically making it of consenting age. Mr. Paul faces up to three years in prison. Meanwhile, Mr. Rindle is seeking a restraining order against Mr. Paul.

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Man Arrested For Vehicular Indecency in Barnstable

BARNSTABLE – A Barnstable man is being held without bail for allegedly committing “Vehicular Indecency” against a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop to be examined and treated for damage. Residents of a small development called local police, reporting that a man was seen at the side of a vehicle, bent over and could be heard moaning. Police arrived on the scene to find 29 year-old Peter Paul standing up against the gas cap, with his pants pulled down, gently slapping the trunk and saying “whose tank is this?” Mr. Paul maybe charged with Statutory Vehicular Indecency as the age of consent for a vehicle is 3 years old. Police officials were not available for comment.

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Coming of Age: When Your Family Acts Up in Public... Laugh Clown Laugh

As I stated in an earlier blog, I’m a nationalist. With that philosophy comes a considerable sense of self-determination and self-sufficiency. Part of that is a sense of having your own stake in the game so to speak. In this case, it’s media. As I tell my students all the time, “those who document the present control the memory of the future.” It is normal for people who are of one social, cultural and ethnic set of norms to view others with a certain confusion, misunderstanding, and at times, even a fear. For example, I site Margaret Meade’s Coming of Age in Samoa, (first published in 1928), where her own Euro-American point of view seriously colored her assessment of what she observed about Samoan adolescents and sexuality. Her text is still widely regarded in academic circuits and is still the bane of many Samoan-born anthropologists and sociologists academic existence, as Meade’s ethnocentrisms, despite her unusually iconoclastic and liberal upbringing by academics, it was simply a matter of the fact that she didn’t understand what she was observing.

With this in mind, I have to thank Peter Kenney for inspiring me to start a blog on Cape Cod Today. Reading his accounts and twists of the Mashpee Wampanoag’s issues and problems, as well as the fact that he has decided to chose sides, made me revisit my own philosophy. Should the only outside voice and documentation of a people be the voice of an outsider? Particularly if it’s a hostile, sensationalists documentation?  After years of watching him on public access and short, seemingly pleasant exchanges in the halls of the Yarmouth community television station, I have a fair sense that Mr. Kenney lacks Dr. Meade’s social advantages and educational background, it would stand to reason that there needs to be a flood of Wampanoag, native, and or people of color in general blogging, sharing ideas, points of view, and insight.

DISCLAIMER: I by no means am a spokesman for the tribe, nor do I purport to hold the opinion of the tribe in my hand. We are far from the monolithic group of people that writings and comments from readers would suggest. I’m simply one Wampanoag who happens to be a writer. I also happen to be one of the members of the tribe who chooses not to ignore my ethno-cultural heritage, hence I have always (much to the chagrin and disdain of some of my fellow tribal members) identified myself as a Black Wampanoag. Understanding that it’s the responsibility of everybody to support their community, I took on the roll of Chairman of Education. I happen to be a Peters, but my family has last names like Hicks, Hendricks, Oakley, Mills, Bearse, Helms, Tobey, Boardley, Haynes, Cash, Turner, Avant, Pocknett, Coombs, Frye, Sturgis, Harris, Green, and all derivatives there of. Amelia Bingham is my aunt, my late father’s eldest sister. Glenn Marshall is my cousin, as we have the same great-grandmother (Amelia Peters). So don’t expect me to always agree with my family and by the same token, don’t expect me to turn my back on or denounce my family, who’ve been there for me in times of difficulty. So on this disclosure, understand that my point of view is subjective, just like the opinion of an outsider. Removed does not mean objective as all people bring their baggage and critical thinking skills (or lack there of) to any situation.

When your family fights in public, it cab be very embarrassing. When your family humiliates themselves in public, that also can be humiliating. But worst of all is when your families dirty laundry ends up being aired by them through other people. Of course, there’s always the factor of what goes around comes around... karma... don’t do unto others... A while back, I fell upon a blog called Wamp Facts that had posted some counter info about my aunt, Amelia Bingham. I had mixed emotions about it: saddened that this was being done, and more dirt was being dragged out and flung about, but at the same time amused as I am one of the family members that she has “shunned” from the Peters clan for not agreeing with her actions against the tribe. I shared my findings with a couple of fellow tribal members but otherwise tried to ignore it, (although the writing is kind of zinger filled and humorous) I figured that this too shall pass.

However, it was a length comment attached to the past posting by my cousin, Paula, that prompted me to think about this. I love my cousin Paula, as she is always well meaning and passionate about her convictions even though I don’t agree with them at all. But the passion of her last post reminded me of my father’s funeral, when she jumped up and delivered an impromptu Eulogy that was well intentioned, heart-felt, a little narcissistic (a family trait, I suppose) and at the same time wildly embarrassing (like when she referred to my son as my father’s great-grandson... unless she was subtly accusing my {then} wife of having an affair with one of my nephews...). This too shall pass.

It’s amazing what the media chooses to ignore. For example, we just had a very successful summer program, A Mashpee Wampanoag Summer Thing where we addressed the social, cultural and academic development of a group of youth from the tribe and launched the beginnings of a youth council... it get’s no ink or screen time. We had a Wamp Pride Day on September 1^st, bringing together the tribe as a community for a wonderful outdoor event including an old fashion softball game, basket ball tournament, cookout, and subsequent dance at the Sons of Italy. No coverage. Not even a mention if the Barnstable County Report. The press was invited to both events, but I guess since it lacked the pageantry of the event of powwow, no fights took place, no law enforcement involved, it wasn’t news. Oh well, this too shall pass... or make a really funny story years from now.

There’s a West African proverb, of Ghana origins I believe, "When two brothers fight over the farm, strangers always reap the harvest." I think we need to catch a clue from this. It’s nation time. We need to come together behind Shawn Hendricks and ready him and ourselves for the things to come, good and bad. Holding our leadership accountable means being accountable, as I advised on a comment in Wamp Facts, become a part of the solution for the good of US and those we impact. Yeah, it's nation time. Renovating a house doesn't always mean tearing it down, sometimes it just means replacing boards, and walls, pillars and posts. Get me? It’s nation time.

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A Day At The Playground

This is not a complaint, just an observation. 

The good old playground. A training ground for the social dynamics of society. Gone are the days of metal monkey bars and coarse, wooden climb toys. They've been replaced with sturdy, padded, plastic, sanded wood, and polished metal equipment. Much safer and more attractive. However, little else about the playground has changed, as my mother learned the other day while taking my son to the local playground, one of my son's favorite play areas.

 Now, I've gotten used to meeting and interesting range of people at the playground, a range of parents from various backgrounds. Occassionally, you will run into the folks who forget that people who are... shall we say, different then they are also bring their kids to the playgrounds and the experiences have been memorable. I remember one time overhearing a woman say to another one, motioning to my son and I as well as another different person, "I don't know why they have to come here." Without missing a beat, I spun around and explained that my folks have been here for 12,000 years and this area has been a playground for most of us for at least the last 10 years. Another interesting encounter was the ubiquitous presumptuous liberal. I offer the following account. My son was two at the time. He and another couple of kids were playing with a couple of buckets and shovels left in the sand. The little boy who I guess they belonged to appeared and protested, until his mother arrived. The other parents (both appeared to be caucasian) and I gathered up out children. However, the little boy's mother felt compleeled to address me and advise me as to where I might be able to find some low-cost sand toys for my son. I thanked her and informed her that he had sand toys and played with these because he's being raised to share. I also offered her one of his buckets from my trunk as her son's seemed to be in pretty bad shape.

The dynamics of the playground were far from unfamiliar to my mother as 20+ years ago, she had the experience of dealing with the old Mashpee Recreation Department who's director seemed bent on marginalizing the kids of color in town from many of the social activities of the summer (family cookouts, sandcastle competitions, fishing derby's, etc.). It seemed that she would post one time for the event, then change the time and call most of the other parents. A couple of parents who semeed hip to what was happening took to calling my mother when she was notified of a time change, much to the chagrin of the director who would be obviously surprised to see us arrive at the new time.

Yesterdays trip was not too far removed as she noted other folks speaking to each other, but avoiding eye contact with her all together. The piece de resistence, however, came when a bus load of kids. As the kids got off the bus she noted that about half of them were kids of color. Like clock-work, she observed the parents grab up their kids and flee the playground as if a sudden storm had arrived. Now, normally, one might think that it was the arrival of a bus load of kids that would cause the flight, however, the flight didn't occur until the passengers of the bus were in the playground and it could be seen that a number of them were different. Hmmm

Ahhh, yes. The good old playground.

 

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Rats, Race Cards and Hypocrisy

I’m not sure if it’s my choice of topic or venue that seems to be attracting the intellectual bottom-rung of the region, but by all means those of you who spew your angry and ignorant comments at the bottom of my blog, keep ‘em coming. It’s good to know the climate of the region and the demographic of your readership. No, I’m not a hold over from the 1960’s, although I was born in the 60’s. I don’t believe in shaking my fist, carrying signs and repeating slogans. For the record, I am a nationalist. I agree that political correctness is a handicap as I prefer to know where folks are coming from socially and politically so that I can understand how to deal with them.

It amuses me how folks like to use the term "race card." What the hell is a race card? Is it a card in a deck? What are the other cards in the deck? Who created the deck? Now, understand that if I talk about racism, I'm simply speaking of a reality in society. I'm not claiming to be a victim of it, nor am I even saying that it has anything to do with the advancement of the Wampanoags. If I'm simply recognizing that folks attitudes and actions are being fuelled by their feelings about people of other ethno-cultural groups, then that's all. Honestly, at this point, verbalized (or written) hatred of the Mashpee Wampanoag will do nothing to us as a tribe or our bids for economic development. I'm simply recognizing racism and hate mongering for what it is and moving on.

The investors in our venture are of various colors and ethnicities. The ones most talked about happen to be a Black man from Detroit and a white man who's built entertainment complexes world-wide. I was finally able to stop laughing at the comment posted about "us people" as the ones who are backing the casino. The person making this claim probably makes less money then I do, so how does he get to be part of the "us?" Also, how did I get to be the Johnny Cochran of the Wampanoags? Why does it have to be Johnny Cochran? Why can't I be the Oliver Wendell Holmes of the Wampanoags? I can only be equated with barristers of color? Hmmm, tells me a whole lot. Also, are the Wampanoags on trial for murder? What court am I defending them in? Hmmm

I should also back-track and say that I'm not saying that all Anti-Casino people are racist. Some of them are, in fact, members of the tribe. However, in reading the comments of some of my fellow bloggers, those of people on the street (non-native)  I'm well aware that white supremacy is alive and well on Cape Cod. It's the same as when I'm driving and see congestion up ahead. I don't cry about it, I figure out a way around it; and if there's no way around it, I'll still get through it. That's just the way the conscious people of color deal with the world around us.

 Now, as to the humorously ironic question as to whether or not I care about the destruction of Middleboro for our venture, (can you say irony?)I can say this. I have been impacted by the destruction of the woods in Mashpee by greedy land developers throwing up ticky-tacky boxes, watching the water-ways become polluted and wildlife destroyed, remembering my cousins hunting for deer in what is now Stop & Shop’s parking lot. As I write this, I look out my living room window at a new multi-house development where there used to be woods and animals. I can only repeat what I was told as Mashpee was being destroyed, things change and this is the price of progress. To quote John Wayne talking to an Indian in one of his cowboy movies, "Your way of life is about to change..."

As Chairman of Education, one of the first tasks of my program has been to review and develop models for an educational system for the tribe that can provide a well-rounded experience to enhance the social and academic development of our tribal members. The proposed economic development plan, in the short-term would enable the tribe to develop and implement a myriad of social and academic enhancement programs and opportunities. In the long-term, build our own schools, send our academically gifted students to existing prep schools en mass, and finance educations at top colleges.

Now, onto the topic of Glenn Marshall and credibility. Regardless of his misdeeds, Glenn Marshall did a lot of good for the tribe and I thank him for getting us the federal recognition that so many folks fought for. The choices that led to his downfall were ill advised and unfortunate. Now the ball is in the hands of Shawn Hendricks and he has my full support. Now, as for credibility the question is this: who are we losing credibility with, and does their opinion really matter?

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