Poet featured at 37th Annual Kent Lecture

Poet Nikki Giovanni (pictured) was the featured speaker at the 37th Annual Dr. George E. Kent Lecture at the University of Chicago. Photo Credit: Tia Carol Jones
Poet Nikki Giovanni (pictured) was the featured speaker at the 37th Annual Dr. George E. Kent Lecture at the University of Chicago. Photo Credit: Tia Carol Jones

Poet featured at 37th Annual Kent Lecture

BY TIA CAROL JONES

“As a Black American, we have done a lot for this country,” said poet Nikki Giovanni during her speech at the 37th Annual Dr. George E. Kent Lecture.

Giovanni was featured at the lecture on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the University of Chicago at the Harris School of Public Policy.

The event was hosted by the Organization of Black Students. Three students from the Kenwood Academy Spoken Word Group performed.

The Dr. George E. Kent Lecture is the kick-off to Black History Month events at the University of Chicago. It was named in honor of Kent, who was the first African-American professor of English at the University of Chicago.

Past speakers include Donna Brazile in 2014, Director Ryan Coogler in 2016, Corey Booker in 2012, Historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr., in 2011, Angela Davis in 2008 and Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrise Cullors in 2019.

Michelle Hoereth is the director of diversity and inclusion at the Harris School of Public Policy. She said it was exciting for the school to partner with the Organization of Black Students on the event.

“Everything we do here, we challenge our students to think about policy,” she said.

Giovanni, who discussed numerous topics, said she thinks it’s ridiculous a 16-year old can get a driver’s license, but can’t vote. She also talked about race, the Constitution, the president, impeachment, Black women and other topics.

Black women get along with everything and have found a way to love despite things that have happened to us, she said.

“Somebody has to say it’s important to love, too,” she added. “We as women ought to keep saying that to everyone.”

She also talked about slavery and Africa.

“Our African ancestors owe us an apology because they sold us,” she said.

Giovanni talked about Kobe Bryant’s death and how she was touched by Shaquille O’Neal’s response to it.

“If Shaquille O’Neal can cry, it’s perfectly alright,” she said. “Men, you have emotions and you should be able to show them.”

Giovanni said Black people come from a great people. And, that our ancestors were “not uneducated, just un-degreed.”

“I hope you remember who you came from,” she said. “We have to remember who we are and where we came from.”

She cautioned the audience not to get caught up in things, especially the pursuit of money.

“You have to be careful how you use it,” she said. “You cannot let the world change you.”

She also had a word for the audience about aging. “I certainly recommend old age, it’s the best thing that can happen to you,” she said.

After her speech, Giovanni sat down with Danielle Roper, a professor at the University of Chicago.

“When hasn’t art been important? Art has always been important. Jesus was a poet,” Giovanni said.

Giovanni added, using words in your own way is a skill. She said people have to control their own lives.

“What you have to find is who you are. Be you and that takes some time,” she said. “It’s about life. You have to want something better than yourself. There has to be something you know that makes you happy.”

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