Nikki Giovanni is a legend, one of the greatest writers of our time, a national treasure. And while she is known for her writing, her poetry specifically, storytelling is the art. And it just so happens that she happens to tell really good stories, orally as well. In honor of her birthday, which she shares with both Prince and Gwendolyn Brooks, I'm sharing some of gems she's shared over the years.
Here she is explaining her Thug Life tattoo. It's a tribute to Tupac. pic.twitter.com/hY7SvNfN9g
— For Harriet (@ForHarriet) June 7, 2017
Thug Life
https://youtu.be/0y-VpbEMI00?t=3m14sRosa Parks
The story of her meeting Rosa Parks and the things she said to her is pretty hilarious and classic. https://youtu.be/0y-VpbEMI00?t=21m40sWanting to Die in Space
https://youtu.be/kjzxexwBkSc?t=2m50sMae Jemison
During her interview with Sway in the morning, she told the crew that Mae Jemison told her "If you're bored, you're not paying attention." https://youtu.be/0y-VpbEMI00?t=39m18sSpecies of bat
You might not know that there is one named after her. https://youtu.be/0y-VpbEMI00?t=1h7sOn Black women
"I'm a big fan of Black women. I just think that Black women are the best things that ever happened to the world." https://youtu.be/0y-VpbEMI00?t=1h8m20sSex is a good idea
"It's really funny about sex because we want our women to be virgins but we want our men to be cockhounds. So what am I missing?" 'Is she a virgin? Oh man, I hope you're the only one hitting that?' Well somebody has to hit something Women don't ask the same questions. You're lucky, we don't ask 'And what have YOU been doing?'" https://youtu.be/0y-VpbEMI00?t=1h10m8sSpeeding ticket
https://youtu.be/q3Lc1Gy5ElI?t=8mHow can you be a white man and be afraid?
On Donald Trump. https://youtu.be/q3Lc1Gy5ElI?t=19m20sMen using penis as a weapon
"Men run around here: 'Oh my penis is erect I have to go get something.' No you don't. Don't trap yourself in your penis." Image via WENNThe post 10 Gems From Nikki Giovanni On Her Birthday appeared first on MadameNoire.