'Watts to Leimert Park' is the first sequel to 'L.A. Authors.' Over the years I've performed poetry and taught high school in Leimert Park. Several times a month I would spend the day in the neighborhood with the poet A.K. Toney, one of the most visible writers in the area. Toney and I frequented Eso Won Books, performed in events like the Leimert Park Book Fair and Art Walk. He introduced me to the legendary poet Kamau Daaood. I began to feel that there was an amazing collection of writers and artists in the area that were not getting the credit they deserved.That feeling grew even stronger after I read several books about the legacy of African-American poets and jazz musicians from South Los Angeles. One of the best was a "The Dark Tree" by Steven Isoardi. In my next column I will go into greater detail on why this is such a great book.
In the meantime let me just say that the legacy of community artists in South Los Angeles is a rich tradition: "Generations of poets, generations of musicians." This poem is a tribute to unsung Kings and Queens of Los Angeles.
Funders and Partners
Support for the Departures is provided through these funders as well as local community partners and viewers like you.
-
Meena Nanji: Kenya As Paradise; London As Post-Punk; Los Angeles As Definitely Weird
In England, it was a given that you are miserable, that's just how it ...
-
I Am Los Angeles: The Art of Being Earnest
OBEY/Studio One artist Ernesto Yerena grew up in El Centro near the bo...
-
When The Eco Zeitgeist Changed
Without the Clean Water Act, the fetid sewers in South Los Angeles and...
-
Sunshine Vistas and the 21st Century City Reimagined
California, and Los Angeles specifically, has always been considered a...
flickr.com/kcetdepartures
departures@kcet.org
YouTube.com/Webstories
