The Role of Literature and Art in the Quest for Justice and Democracy-A Lecture with Keorapetse Kgositsile
- When
- Sat Apr 7, 2012
- Where
- CIIS Public Programs & Performances
- Time
- 7:00PM
- Cost
- $14 - $18
- Tags
- Educational Organizations, Education, Seminars, Organizations
Description
Presented by CIIS Public Programs & PerformancesPart of the lecture series 'Bending Towards Justice: Exploring Individual and Social Transformation'
Keorapetse William Kgositsile is a South African poet and political activist, and was an influential member of the African National Congress in the 1960s and 1970s. He lived in exile in the United States from 1962 until 1975. Kgositsile made extensive study of African-American literature and culture, becoming particularly interested in jazz. During the 1970s he was a central figure among African-American poets, encouraging interest in Africa as well as the practice of poetry as a performance art; Kgositsile was known for his readings in New York City jazz clubs. He was one of the first to bridge the gap between African poetry and Black poetry in the United States, and thus one of the first and most significant poets in the Pan-African movement.
Kgositsile has returned to the United States several times, including a visiting professorship at the New School. He was a member of the editorial board of This Day newspaper in Johannesburg, and remains one of the deans of contemporary South African literature. His works include My Name is Afrika, The Present is a Dangerous Place to Live, and When the Clouds Clear, among many others. He currently works as a journalist.
More Info
- Link
- http://www.ciis.edu/News_and_Events/Event_Calendar/Kgositsil...
- Call
- 415.575.6175 (Box Office)
- Contact Form (account required)
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