"Push" author Sapphire will appear in Ann Arbor on MLK Day
Just as the movie "Precious" is gaining momentum in both box office receipts and Oscar prospect discussions, Sapphire, the author of the novel ("Push") that was the basis for the film, will be coming to Ann Arbor to deliver a free public lecture on Martin Luther King Day.
"Push" author Sapphire will offer a lecture at the University of Michigan on Martin Luther King Day.
Photo by Lina Pallotta
"Push" tells the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones, an overweight African-American teenager struggling to find her place in the world despite suffering from incest, abuse and illiteracy.
Sapphire received numerous awards for "Push," including the First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, and the Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction from the Book-of-the Month Club. Sapphire’s poetry, fiction and essays have been translated into eleven different languages, and her work has been adapted for the stage in several countries. She worked with literacy students in Harlem and the Bronx, and has taught writing and poetry workshops at a number of schools, including SUNY Purchase, Trinity College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Brooklyn College, the New School University and the Writer’s Voice in New York City.
Watch for more information on AnnArbor.com as the event approaches. Meanwhile, for details about this event, visit U-M's MLK Symposium web site.
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
KeepingItReal
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 9:07 p.m.
David: I take exception to your position that I may experience something different than you. I do not see or experiences things through your eyes nor do you see or experience them through mine. The movie does nothing to "educate" the public about an issue that has not already been put forth in numerous forums. No matter what you say, there will be tons of people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds who view this film and have very negative conclusions about black men and "lazy welfare mothers." How do I know? Those images already exist. If there is a desire to educate the public about the content of the movie, why not do a documentary showing this issue as it exist in all cultures in America. I hope that the posters take time to review the link that Christy posted and perhaps they will be enlightened by its content.
David Briegel
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 7:22 p.m.
Zulu and christy, you might want to see the film before you comment. Lennie Kravitz is not "out of control, amoral and sex crazed" and quite a fine character and role model. There was no represtation of all black men as negative but rather the experiences of these individuals. Nor was it an attempt to portray all teenage women as ditzy stereotypes. It was a timely film with fine performances and good filmmaking skills! Nothing more and nothing less.
KeepingItReal
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 5:14 p.m.
Christy: Thanks for sharing the link to the review of "Precious." I would encourage the current posters to read this review before you post comments about this movie. Once again, Black men have been portrayed as nothing more than out of control, amoral and sex craved. It's interesting that Black men do not control the porn industry in this country.
racerx
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 1:24 a.m.
David Briegel-wholeheartedly agree. Lee Daniels, the director, stripped the glamour out of most of the actors (Mariah Carey, Monique, Lenny Kravitz)to create a powerful story from Sapphire's book. Really glad to see such a committment by the U' on MLK Day to present this lecture. Great move U!
David Briegel
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 1:42 p.m.
I recently saw the film Precious and found it quite moving and excellent filmmaking. Quite a story and good acting with surprising performance by novice actors. The author is to be commended for the telling of this all too common tale and attempting to explain some of the obstacles to escaping the bonds of poverty in our not so Great Society.