Parable of the Penguin

Parable of the Penguin

The news broadcaster announced several motorists thought they spotted a penguin waddling along the freeway. Since the freeway was inland, the announcer wondered how was it possible for the little creature to find its way to the freeway. He said the highway patrol was coming to the scene and would try its best to safely rescue the little bird, but when the patrolman arrived at the scene, the creature was elusive, but he was certain they could capture the bird as it waddled along.

A short time later the newsman interrupted the program with a correction. They had made a mistake about the penguin. It wasn't a penguin as originally reported. The waddling creature was actually a diminutive teenager with his pants sagging.

He was arrested for being under the influence of drugs and taken to the mental hospital for observation. He was also given a citation for indecent exposure.
--Marvin X
4/25/10

On Saturday, May 15, 2pm, please join Marvin X at the African American Museum Library, 14th and Martin Luther King, Jr., downtown Oakland, to celebrate the release of his latest book The Wisdom of Plato Negro, parables/fables.

The event is a benefit read-in/teach-in for Black Bird Press. Donation is $100.00. RSVP 510-637-0200.

Local writers, poets and community people will read from the parables and fables. There will be entertainment by singers Rashidah Sabreen, Michelle LaChaux and Augusta Collins. Readers include Ayodele Nzingha, Geoffery Grier, Hunia Bradley, James Moore, Jr., James W. Sweeney, Paradise, Ramal Lamar, Ptah Allah El, Wanda Sabir, Alona Clifton, Charlie Walker, J. Vern Cromartie and Timothy Reed.

The event will be documented by photographers Kamau Amen Ra and Gene Hazzard, also videographers Ken Johnson and Adam Turner. Gregory Fields will interview.

Special thanks to Greg Bridges of KPFA radio, Terry Collins of KPOO radio, Paul Cobb of the Oakland Post Newspaper and Wanda Sabir.

For more information, please call Vida Silva, Museum Project Coordinator at 510-637-0199.