We at GCP were so excited to see poetry included in the opening ceremonies of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we just had to make this the subject of this week's Thoughtful Thursday. Oprah Winfrey (who funded the museum's auditorium) and Will Smith gifted us with some mighty thoughts in a poetry battle. You can [...]
The National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington D.C. opened its doors to the public this weekend, and the celebration was glorious. Presidents Obama along with President George W. Bush (who signed the bill authorizing funds to build the museum thirteen years ago) spoke eloquently about the importance of this museum and its place in American history. [...]
Happy Fall! Today's Thoughtful Thursday celebrates fall with the poem "Merry Autumn" from Paul Laurence Dunbar. Enjoy. Merry Autumn It's all a farce, — these tales they tell About the breezes sighing, And moans astir o'er field and dell, Because the year is dying. Such principles are most absurd, — I care not who first taught 'em; There's nothing [...]
Unless you have been sleeping under a rock, you know that the musical "Hamilton" is on Broadway, and you should also know that it is one of the most amazing pieces of musical theater ever. Ever. The story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton brilliantly told through genius writing and composing using a mash up of hip hop and a [...]
Another horrific shooting on another college campus. 10 dead and 7 more injured. The shooter is among the dead, leaving a nation with never-to-be-answered questions as to why. President Obama grimly commented on this most recent tragedy with concern and frustration: "[A]s I said just a few months ago, and I said a few months before that, and I [...]
Did you and your family know that Sunday September 13th is National Grandparent’s Day? It's time to celebrate the grandparents in your lives!! Be sure to connect today with grandparents or older adults in the community and show them some love. Looking for more ways to celebrate Grandparent's Day? Find them at www.grandparentsday.org.
Our boys are back in school! Today's Thoughtful Thursday offers quotes to help our sons and ourselves with the transition to a new school year. Here are some quotes to remind us of the value of the educational journey, and some to encourage them as they return to the classroom. Share with your sons, and enjoy. Education is the [...]
Civil rights and social justice activist Julian Bond, who died recently at the age of 75, had a lengthy career championing civil rights which included stints as President of the Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee (SNICC), Chairman of the Board of the N.A.A.C.P., 20 years in the Georgia State Legislature, and in later life, professorships at various universities including [...]
As we approach the one year anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, we present poetry old and new which references the past and present struggles for equality. "The Tradition" is by Jericho Brown, an associate professor at Emory University in Atlanta. "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes gives us an historical perspective of our [...]
Greetings from London! GCP is on the road, checking in on globetrotting children. Since we are here on Thoughtful Thursday, today our focus is on Black British poets. From the many talented poets we present here just a few: Benjamin Zephaniah ("Dis Poetry") is a British Jamaican writer and dub poet who was included in The Times 2008 list [...]