In his debut poetry collection, black ivory, Karega Ani provides an unflinching, and at times, scathing critique of American politics, racism, criminal justice, jingoism, religion, identity, and hypocrisy. From cover to cover, black ivory serves as a liberation roadmap. It is a battle cry for the disenfranchised (see Conspiracy Realists), a rekindled fire for the disaffected (see The Law of Opposites), a glimpse into the mysteries of the ostensibly banal (see Silent Majority), and much, much more. 'Sankofa' is the ancient African concept that one must sometimes refer to the past in order to have a clearer understanding of the present and a clearer heading towards the future. In essence, one must sometimes raise the dead to save the living - not an endeavor for the faint of heart. Karega Ani is not faint of heart. As such, black ivory is not a doe-eyed collection of pretty words and hackneyed concepts. black ivory is what happens when words are weaponized. It is Baraka, and Hughes, and Sundiata, and Giovanni, and Oyewole, and, Wells, and the collective yell of the voiceless. black ivory is protest poetry. It is the density of a dead star - a succinct screed screamed into tension thick air. It is acerbic, irreverent, historic, and prophetic. It is angry in a most punctual way, and it will be timeless until times finally change. Hopefully, the contents of this book will serve to render the contents of this book obsolete.
About the Author: Karega Ani is a poet, designer, and composer from Houston, TX. A one-time student of the legendary Ntozake Shange, he has been refining his unique literary and performance style for nearly 20 years. Karega began developing his craft while earning his BS in Psychology at Prairie View A&M University. It was there that in 1998, he was afforded the opportunity to study African American Literature under the tutelage of Dr. Ntozake Shange (the award-winning poet and playwright of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuff" fame). Dr. Shange made a concerted effort to have her students study and analyze the works of poets and essayists representing The Harlem Renaissance, The Black Arts Movement, et. al. It was in the midst of this that Karega discovered, and began developing, his distinctive literary voice. Since that time, Karega has gone on to independently release 3 albums and multiple poetry chapbooks. He represented Houston on its first, second, and third National Poetry Slam Teams (not to mention his representing Detroit in 2006). He has performed at venues from coast to coast, both individually as well as alongside literary luminaries the likes of Sunni Patterson, Saul Williams, The Last Poets, Mutabaruka, Taalam Acey, et al. He has also been published in The Pierian Literary Journal (Albany State University), and has graced the pages of many, many other publications over the span of his career. He is currently based in Houston, TX. He is a proud husband, and father to two beautiful and dynamic children.