Poet, Bob Marley author discusses work with teens

Kwame Dawes has written 13 books of poetry as well as fiction and non-fiction.

The University of South Carolina professor is also the Distinguished Poet in Residence and is the author of a highly-regarded book on the lyrics of Bob Marley's music.

As hundreds of South Aiken High School students will attest following his appearance there Friday, Dawes is also funny and musical and engaging and inspiring, and several students said later that he's the best assembly speaker they've ever heard.

Originally from Ghana, Dawes grew up in Jamaica, and Marley was certainly a huge influence. On his website, Dawes cites the rhythms and textures of Jamaica and the "spiritual, intellectual and emotional engagement with reggae music."

English and creative writing teacher Ginger Dunker met Dawes at a conference in the 1990s and has invited him previously to speak to her students. She appreciates that he directs the S.C. Poetry Initiative and the USC Arts Institute.

"Kwame pushes poetry among young people in South Carolina and encourages teachers to get children involved in writing poetry," Dunker said. "You don't find many college professors willing to take the time to push the arts like he does. He gets kids really excited."

Dawes read one of his poems that emerged from conversations from older African-American women in Sumter who experienced the discriminatory Jim Crow laws. One of the women, Rosalie Richardson, described herself as a tornado child, actually born during a tornado. That became a poem, "Tornado Child," which ends, "I am a tornado child. When the spirit takes my head, I hurtle into the vacuum of white sheets billowing and paint a swirl of color streaked with my many songs."

Even when he's teaching, Dawes said, he still sees himself as a storyteller, taking the experiences of life and of literature and finding ways to communicate them with students.

"I want them to enjoy what I enjoy, to see what makes us civilized," he said. "I want to encourage students to be excited about music, literature and the arts, that they have the capacity to empathize and relate to her people who may not think like us."

Dunker said that Dawes energizes her, that he functions as her own professional development. Several students stayed after his appearance to talk with Dawes about his music and poetry and approach to life. Student Dalton Hart said Dawes gave him some helpful advice about his own writing. At Dunker's request, several students wrote about the assembly program and Dawes' presentation.

"I loved his sense of humor in his poetry," wrote Samantha Mathison. "It was breathtaking, genius and hilarious all at the same time. I wish that guy could be my grandpa or something, so he could tell me about all his stories he's lived throughout his life."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.