to Myself: A Delayed Response to For Colored Girls How Ntozake Shange wrote her first poem in 7 years—after experiencing two strokes. Ntozake Shange's Poetry. She is best known for her Obie Award-winning play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Dashes in title. It consists of a series of poetic monologues to be accompanied by dance movements and music, a form Shange coined as the choreopoem. A book of poems about love and heartbreak, Shange relates to her own tragedy with love and the ability a man has to subdue a woman in love if she does not guard over her “stuff”. New York : Scribner Poetry, 1997 (OCoLC)606101941: Material Type: Internet resource: Document Type: Book, Internet Resource: All Authors / Contributors: Ntozake Shange Ntozake Shange, Lost in Language and Sound: Or, How I Found My Way Into the Arts New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011) 144. As a Black feminist, she addressed issues relating to race and Black power in much of her work. on. Ntozake Shange. Posted by Barb Brooks at 10:28 PM. Born Paulette Williams, Shange changed her name in 1971. Shange notes that the transformation of for colored girls from a set of poems to a choreopoem happened as a result of actors taking on her words and embodying her characters. That's my name. In recent light of the Texas Abortion Law, I had to confront the fact that somebody did almost walk away with all of my stuff…and I am equal parts disgusted, exhausted, and pissed about it. “Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff.”. find poems find poets poem-a-day library (texts, books & more) materials for teachers poetry near you My Father Is a Retired Magician Ntozake Shange - 1948-2018 It was a lover I … even tho yr sampler broke down on you. Moving to self-actualization. However, I had to share this poem as an official sign-off. Her father was an Air Force surgeon and her mother a psychiatric social worker. New York : Scribner Poetry, 1997 (OCoLC)606101941: Material Type: Internet resource: Document Type: Book, Internet Resource: All Authors / Contributors: Ntozake Shange By Ntozake Shange. Ntozake Shange (1948–2018) was a renowned poet, novelist, playwright, and performer, best known for her Broadway-produced and Obie Award–winning choreopoem for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf. About For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf Source: courtesy of the Ntozake Shange Revocable Trust. i. Sassafrass, the oldest, is a poet and a weaver like her mother before her. So you can't have me unless I give me away. These polarizations in Shange’s work both contribute to her artistry and complicate it. When the poet, novelist and playwright’s stage performance, For […] It was a lover I … ... More Poems by Ntozake Shange. Latour, Martine. 49-51) and “sorry” (pp. Anyone can learn to live like that; it's the real key in the lock. By Ntozake Shange. Somebody almost ran off with all of my stuff and I was standing there looking at myself the whole time. Shange 's poems … Choreographed, performed, recorded, and edited by Shanita Mitchell. She was inspired to write this poem when she saw one of the powerful, feminine dancers jumping higher than the men. She Had Always Known Me: Remembering Poet Ntozake Shange. Imagery is used to express the trials and tribulations African American women go through. The characters in the Broadway choreopoem version are nameless, ―all metaphorically everywoman,‖ Shange explains (TVG 14). November 13, 2021 on The Twerking Academic: “My Stuff”, a Multimedia Performance. STUFF is a multimedia installation celebrating Ntozake Shange’s groundbreaking choreopoem, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf. Niggah, wif the curls in yer hair Mr. Louisiana hot link I want my stuff back! Playwright and author Ntozake Shange was born Paulette L. Williams on October 18, 1948 in Trenton, New Jersey to Paul T. Williams, an air force surgeon, and Eloise Williams, an educator and psychiatric social worker. By Ntozake Shange. Ntozake Shange was born on this date in 1948. MADAMENOIRE is taking a moment to honor the life and spirit of the great Ntozake Shange, whose sunrise was October 18, 1948. In Xhosa, a language native to South Africa, ntozake means “she who comes with her own things” and “shange” means “she who walks with lions.”. Shange wrote the choreopoem in bars and performance spaces in Berkeley, often performing the monologues herself, until she stitched them together and turned them into a tour de force ensemble piece for an African American female … ... work was a … Never got around to publicizing some of my own poetry or some poems from local poets I admire. In the poem ‘ somebody almost walk off wit alla my stuff” the lady in green proclaims, “somebody almost walk off wit alla my stuff/ & I waz stand in there/ lookin at myself / it waznt a spirit took my stuff/ waz a man whose ego..”(pg.64). On this day in 1948, the acclaimed poet and playwright Ntozake Shange was born Paulette Williams in New Jersey. Analysis of Ntozake Shange’s Plays. fiercely." poems aint' enuf / go on & live my life for me / i didn't want. Having gone north to college, she is now living with other artists in Los Angeles and trying to weave a life out of her work, her man, her memories and dreams. [Return to text] Shange, Lost in Language and Sound 2011: 44 [Return to text] Shange, Lost in Language and Sound 2011: 18-26. She is the oldest of four children of an upper-middle-class family. degree in … It only has sentimental value. Taking “our stuff” back and owning ourselves. Departments & Majors. 49-51) and “sorry” (pp. beatin my heart to death talkin bout you sorry well i will not call i’m not goin to be nice i will raise my voice & scream & holler & break things & race the engine & tell all yr secrets bout yrself to yr face & i will list in detail everyone of my wonderful lovers & their ways i will play oliver lake loud & i wont be sorry for none of it [Return to text] Shange, if I can cook 1998: 55. Ntozake Shange is one of the strongest voices in the history of African American creativity. As a poet and novelist, she helped to recapture and reshape the culture with her literary gifts. November 13, 2021 on The Twerking Academic: “My Stuff”, a Multimedia Performance. Now give me my stuff. This is mine, Juanita's own things. who am i thinkin of. Ntozake Shange writes from these 52-55) seem to be in dialogue with each other? Halim read a piece from Shange’s 1982 novel “Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo.”. Then the whole universe stops being seen as an ATM, a slot machine, or a shopping mall. I want my calouse feet and quick language back in my mouth. Ntozake Shange: Portrait of a Literary Feminist by Edward K. Brown II Throughout the ages, women have written about the imposition of a male-dominated society, about how this domination constricts their character, and about how women themselves have contributed to the development of a progressive society. DuBois were regular guests in the Williams home. And I was standing there looking at myself the whole time. Ntozake Shange (1948-2018) was a poet, novelist, playwright, and performer. Over the years—from the death of my parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, a beloved cousin, to those of schoolmates and friends—they have borne witness to my pain. It was a man whose ego walked ’round like Rodan’s shadow. Her first successful work, for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, is poetry brought to the stage and expressed through dance and music.This work was Shange’s initial step toward a prolific and innovative literary career. certain. In the film titled “For Color Girls” Devine pours her heart and soul… Shange attended Barnard College and the University of Southern California, earning both a BA … She is also a dancer, actor, director, author, lecturer, and black feminist. [Return to text] Shange, if I can cook 1998: 55. “Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff.”. November 13, 2021 on The Twerking Academic: “My Stuff”, a Multimedia Performance. “I would be transported through her writing,” Halim told the crowd. Ntozake Shange. 74-76 colored girls- poems, performed, NY. My favorite line in one of the poems is "Somebody done walked off with my stuff." Her love felt like my love.”. Through the poem “Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff”, Shange calls for black women to stop compartmentalizing themselves, and instead reclaim and embrace themselves fully. Ntozake Shange, Lost in Language and Sound: Or, How I Found My Way Into the Arts New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011) 144. Mood Indigo. In “somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff,” Shange wrote about all the tangible and intangible things that are taken in a racist and sexist society and reclaimed these things: “now why don’t you put me back / & let me hang out in my own / self.” Never got around to publicizing some of my own poetry or some poems from local poets I admire. “Her pain felt like stuff I went through, felt like my pain. “Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff” embodies a more triumphant tone than the other poems throughout the piece. Latour, Martine. An outpouring of love on social media followed the news of Ntozake Shange’s passing on October 27, 2018. My children have grown accustomed to my grief. She wrote the Broadway-produced and Obie Award-winning for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, as well as numerous works of fiction, including Sassafras, Cypress & Indigo; Betsey Brown; and Liliane. Get it & feel good by Ntozake Shange is an anthem. Wid Alla My Stuff. Choreographed, performed, recorded, and edited by Shanita Mitchell. Poetry Poems (texts) Additional Physical Format: Online version: Shange, Ntozake. Poetry will make continuing appearances on this blog from time to time. It was a man faster than my innocence. Now give me my stuff I see ya hidin my laugh, & how I sit wif my legs open sometimes to give my crotch some sunlight & there goes my love, my toes, my chewed up finger nails. Shange attended Barnard College and the University of Southern California, earning both a BA … The “somebody” becomes whatever the audience makes of it, and the “stuff” becomes whatever we decide. “Her pain felt like stuff I went through, felt like my pain. By Ntozake Shange. I want my things, I want my Oooh with a hot iron scar, I want my leg with the flee bite, yeah I want my things. “Somebody Almost Walked Off With All of My Stuff,” is an heart-wrenching poem recited by the incomparable Loretta Devine for the Tyler Perry film adaptation of the book “For Color Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange. A pioneering poet, playwright and novelist, who broke the rules of conventional theatre with her critically acclaimed for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Shange continues to inspire generations of women writers who … Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this Ntozake Shange study guide. There are nearly 50 majors at Barnard — in the humanities, social sciences, arts, natural sciences, and many interdisciplinary areas — waiting to be explored. fragment: Ntozake Shange. When was colored girls written. Imagery is used to express the trials and tribulations African American women go through. April 4, 2017. certain. The poem was recited by the character Juanita Sims whose lover Frank kept playing with her trust by coming and leaving … She was a Black playwright, author, and educator. “Sisterhood is important … “Sisterhood is important … I don’t know what to do wit em they don't open doors or bring the sun back. My Father Is A Retired Magician, With No Immediate Cause, You Are Sucha Fool I always liked a poem by the wonderful playwright Ntozake Shange. Through the poem “Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff”, Shange calls for black women to stop compartmentalizing themselves, and instead reclaim and embrace themselves fully. & I wont be sorry for none of it Symbolism and characterization is used to make the women in the play transparent. Ntozake Shange originated this format in 1974, when for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf debuted in San Francisco, California. She is also a dancer, actor, director, author, lecturer, and black feminist. Influences on Ntozake Shange and what she gained from them. I’m REALLY loving how Ntozake Shange’s poem that I posted on this blog has become the most honest reflection of the state of my heart from since the 11th of Feb 2011. She was born Paulette Williams in Trenton, NJ, to Paul T. Williams, a surgeon, and Eloise Williams, a psychiatric social worker, and educator. Shange earned her BA in American Studies from Barnard College and her MA in American Studies from the University of Southern California. find poems find poets poem-a-day library (texts, books & more) materials for teachers poetry near you My Father Is a Retired Magician Ntozake Shange - 1948-2018 For colored girls who have considered suicide, when the rainbow is enuf. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf is a choreopoem by Ntozake Shange. Ntozake Shange's beloved Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo is the story of three sisters and their mother from Charleston, South Carolina. My interpretation of the poem is personal, the “stuff” she writes about represent my self-dignity, strength, love and honour. Poem Hunter all poems of by Ntozake Shange poems. In recent light of the Texas Abortion Law, I had to confront the fact that somebody did almost walk away with all of my stuff…and I am equal parts disgusted, exhausted, and pissed about it. Born Paulette Williams, Shange changed her name in 1971. These polarizations in Shange’s work both contribute to her artistry and complicate it. She says, “I wanted them to have information that I … Maybe you know it. Ntozake’s impactful words kindle our imaginations, appeal to us through our hearts and feelings. Her first successful work, for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, is poetry brought to the stage and expressed through dance and music.This work was Shange’s initial step toward a prolific and innovative literary career. Ntozake Shange style of writing and title makes her poems more relatable. Over the years—from the death of my parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, a beloved cousin, to those of schoolmates and friends—they have borne witness to my pain. On this day in 1948, the acclaimed poet and playwright Ntozake Shange was born Paulette Williams in New Jersey. placed upon black women, “it was all I had but bein alive & bein a woman & bein colored is a metaphysical dilemma/I haven’t conquered yet” (Shange, p.36). hey man/ where are you goin wid alla my stuff/ this is a woman’s trip & i need my stuff/ -somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff, lady in green. Ntozake Shange’s (October 18, 1948 – October 27, 2018) work embodies a rich confusion of genres and all the contradictions inherent in a world in which violence and oppression polarize life and art. Her father was an Air Force surgeon and her mother a psychiatric social worker. A useful contextualization of Shange’s work with the plays of other important African American women playwrights. That phrase had little meaning to me. I’m REALLY loving how Ntozake Shange’s poem that I posted on this blog has become the most honest reflection of the state of my heart from since the 11th of Feb 2011. [Return to text] Shange, If I can cook 1998: 13. Ntozake Shange is being honored for her work as a writer and playwright ... almost walked off wid alla my stuff,†two of my favorites. for colored girls... tells the stories of seven women who have suffered … A book of poems about love and heartbreak, Shange relates to her own tragedy with love and the ability a man has to subdue a woman in love if she does not guard over her “stuff”. Ntozake Shange (/ ˌ ɛ n t oʊ ˈ z ɑː k i ˈ ʃ ɑː ŋ ɡ eɪ / EN-toh-ZAH-kee SHAHNG-gay; October 18, 1948 – October 27, 2018) was an American playwright and poet. Ntozake ‘her own things’. 56 quotes from Ntozake Shange: 'Where there is a woman there is magic. Maybe you know it. Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff– Ntozake Shange (from For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf) Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuffnot my poems or a dance i gave up in the streetbut somebody almost walked off wid alla my stufflike a kleptomaniac workin hard & forgettin while stealin.This is mine.This aint your … Poetry will make continuing appearances on this blog from time to time. Jazz. My rhytums & my voice, open my mouth & let me talk ya outta throwin my … Written in 1976, Ntozake Shange’s “choreo-poem” finds a new significance in the social landscape of 2015, and in this production Director Marcella Adams ‘16 smartly allows the words to speak for themselves. I gotta have to give to my choice. An outpouring of love on social media followed the news of Ntozake Shange’s passing on October 27, 2018. By the time Devine’s social worker character Juanita wails the famous line “Somebody took all my stuff,” you begin to think the same about what Perry did to Shange. beatin my heart to death! Happy National Poetry Month! The line, repeated over and over again in one of the poems in the 1970 award winning book For Colored Girls who have considered suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange, is one of those lines where you think you understand what … How Ntozake Shange wrote her first poem in 7 years—after experiencing two strokes. I've been sick for about twelve years, so it is the beginning again. That line resonates in the board room as well as the bedroom. poems aint' enuf / go on & live my life for me / i didn't want. Developing them into a unified choreopoem, ―Shange alleges she arbitrarily divided [the monologues] into seven character parts‖ (Lester 6). Halim read a piece from Shange’s 1982 novel “Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo.”. “Ntozake Shange’s work has been foremost a celebration of language.” for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf: Someone took all my stuff. “Somebody Almost Walked Off With All of My Stuff,” is an heart-wrenching poem recited by the incomparable Loretta Devine for the Tyler Perry film adaptation of the book “For Color Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange. Ntozake Shange (/ ˌ ɛ n t oʊ ˈ z ɑː k i ˈ ʃ ɑː ŋ ɡ eɪ / EN-toh-ZAH-kee SHAHNG-gay; October 18, 1948 – October 27, 2018) was an American playwright and poet. In recent light of the Texas Abortion Law, I had to confront the fact that somebody did almost walk away with all of my stuff…and I am equal parts disgusted, exhausted, and pissed about it. Shange attended Barnard College and the University of Southern California, earning both a BA … In Xhosa, a language native to South Africa, ntozake means “she who comes with her own things” and “shange” means “she who walks with lions.”. Each character in For Colored Girls’ personifies an energy field or chakra in the body. Ntozake Shange writes from these She is best known for her Obie Award-winning play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Analysis of Ntozake Shange’s Plays. In Xhosa, a language native to South Africa, ntozake means “she who comes with her own things” and “shange” means “she who walks with lions.”. senses of heritage. Her commentary on Shange illustrates the complex challenges inherent in Shange’s works that seek to speak both to feminist issues and issues of race. 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