Four Men
This is in response to the song by Nina Simone Four Women15 total reviews
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Creatively penned, my friend, and few would argue, had they sense with these words you wrote which I echo now. "Each individual, no matter what color or background has worth as a human being."
reply by the author on 30-Aug-2022
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Creatively penned, my friend, and few would argue, had they sense with these words you wrote which I echo now. "Each individual, no matter what color or background has worth as a human being."
Comment Written 30-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 30-Aug-2022
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Thank you so much. Your words of support mean the world to me. I am humbled and encouraged.
Comment from Terry Broxson
Wow, what a great entry for this contest! You have certainly captured the essence of the contest and the Nina Simone song. You just need to find a jazz combo and someone who can sing like Mr. Nat King Cole, and you got a hit. Exceptional work. Terry.
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Wow, what a great entry for this contest! You have certainly captured the essence of the contest and the Nina Simone song. You just need to find a jazz combo and someone who can sing like Mr. Nat King Cole, and you got a hit. Exceptional work. Terry.
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Wow! I am blown away by your awesome comments. I think I might want to pursue some other classic works written from a perspective that might have been present when they were originally penned. I had already done that with Paul Laurence Dunbar's "We Wear The Mask". Thank you again for one of the very best reviews I have ever received.
Comment from Ric Myworld
So many inner feelings exposed, retaliation for suspected wrongs, tattered emotions living deep within us all no matter ones color or nationality. But we must learn that not all are guilty for the transgressions against us, not all harbor hate, and they despise the heartless filled with prejudice for any reason. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 05-Aug-2022
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So many inner feelings exposed, retaliation for suspected wrongs, tattered emotions living deep within us all no matter ones color or nationality. But we must learn that not all are guilty for the transgressions against us, not all harbor hate, and they despise the heartless filled with prejudice for any reason. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 05-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 05-Aug-2022
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Thank you for your comments. Man's inner angel(s) has to do constant battle with his inner demon(s). None can say beforehand who will win, who will lose.
Comment from JLR
Nomi, I am truly bummed! I do not have a six remaining and this offering demands a six! Thank you for your authentic voice and tremendous response to the Nina Simones gift from the past. With much respect and appreciation! JLR
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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Nomi, I am truly bummed! I do not have a six remaining and this offering demands a six! Thank you for your authentic voice and tremendous response to the Nina Simones gift from the past. With much respect and appreciation! JLR
Comment Written 04-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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I am completely and totally humbled by your gracious words. Support like you have just rendered to me is worth far more than any number so stars. The most eloquent voice is silenced if there is no one to hear it; the most brilliant writing is nothing if there is no one to read it. I am so grateful that there is a community that gives ear and voice to those of us who have been gifted with the desire to write and speak truth. I thank you so much for your support.
Comment from Cindy Decker 2
Hi, Nomi,
Your presentation and notes reveal so much. People don't understand the struggles of others, unless they struggle themselves. I've had very difficult struggles in my life--not about race, but I empathize with all people who are mistreated because of who they are. That's simplistic, I know.
Our country still isn't healed--there's still a vast chasm separating people by color and by sex. Women still struggle for equal rights in our society. You stress just how difficult it was at one time to be a Black woman.
Your words are powerful. Your answer to this song is done very well.
Good luck with this and all your writing. It's nice talking to you again.
Blessings,
Cindoy
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Hi, Nomi,
Your presentation and notes reveal so much. People don't understand the struggles of others, unless they struggle themselves. I've had very difficult struggles in my life--not about race, but I empathize with all people who are mistreated because of who they are. That's simplistic, I know.
Our country still isn't healed--there's still a vast chasm separating people by color and by sex. Women still struggle for equal rights in our society. You stress just how difficult it was at one time to be a Black woman.
Your words are powerful. Your answer to this song is done very well.
Good luck with this and all your writing. It's nice talking to you again.
Blessings,
Cindoy
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Hello Cindy. I agree on several points that you made. It is indeed a pleasure to communicate with someone so pleasant to talk to. Things are indeed tough on anyone not considered one of the guys, one of the insiders. of course the best strategy for that is to develop a group of your own that are making moves so dynamic, that the guys will eventually clamor to be included in your group. A pipe dream? it is for now, but it is possible, it just takes time and ingenuity. Also, thank you for your review.
Comment from Marienkiefer
This is a compelling piece. I love her music and themes in her songs, especially Ne Me Quitte Pas and I Put a Spell on You.
-My observation is that your response is an echo of all the young women and men lost, voiceless and faceless, but each naming an injury and injustice.They are each a reaction of reality under of oppression that each of them names.
-Your voice has presence and your writing is one of consciousness. As I read your lyrical poem, it seems to have a woeful heartbeat created, through the repetition of the word, My, as in My, my, my.
Also, brings to mind Pedagogy of the Oppressed, by Paulo Freire, where he speaks, amongst many things, of social justice and how the oppressed engage in necrophilic behaviour and upon realizing futility of actions against the oppressor, engages in destructive behaviour and how cycles of oppression can breed generational violence. Well, this is off on another topic... Your poem highlights the need for a more responsible, humane existence for all. Excellent.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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This is a compelling piece. I love her music and themes in her songs, especially Ne Me Quitte Pas and I Put a Spell on You.
-My observation is that your response is an echo of all the young women and men lost, voiceless and faceless, but each naming an injury and injustice.They are each a reaction of reality under of oppression that each of them names.
-Your voice has presence and your writing is one of consciousness. As I read your lyrical poem, it seems to have a woeful heartbeat created, through the repetition of the word, My, as in My, my, my.
Also, brings to mind Pedagogy of the Oppressed, by Paulo Freire, where he speaks, amongst many things, of social justice and how the oppressed engage in necrophilic behaviour and upon realizing futility of actions against the oppressor, engages in destructive behaviour and how cycles of oppression can breed generational violence. Well, this is off on another topic... Your poem highlights the need for a more responsible, humane existence for all. Excellent.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you so much. A curse and a blessing is the mind that finds it difficult to drown out the many thoughts that desire to take center stage when you hit on a subject that is both intriguing and compelling at the same time. Makes it hard to stay focused on one single thought.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this writing prompt with us. You did a great job paralleling the writing with the two poems. God created us all. I don't understand prejudiced. It makes zero sense to me. We're all God's children.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you for sharing this writing prompt with us. You did a great job paralleling the writing with the two poems. God created us all. I don't understand prejudiced. It makes zero sense to me. We're all God's children.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you Barbara, your support means a great deal to me. I count on it, I welcome it. I am uplifted by it.
Comment from Pantygynt
A great piece of paralleling here from the opposite side of the gender divide. The fact is of course that there is good and bad to be found amongst people regardless of colour or other brand of ethnicity. It always makes me wonder why the firmest believers in white supremacy are those white's least deserving of it. The ones known in the USA as the rednecks, who tend to possess all the characteristics they despise when they observe them - or think they observe them in people of colour.
I think at the end it is down to fear.
It doe
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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A great piece of paralleling here from the opposite side of the gender divide. The fact is of course that there is good and bad to be found amongst people regardless of colour or other brand of ethnicity. It always makes me wonder why the firmest believers in white supremacy are those white's least deserving of it. The ones known in the USA as the rednecks, who tend to possess all the characteristics they despise when they observe them - or think they observe them in people of colour.
I think at the end it is down to fear.
It doe
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you. Your wisdom in so many areas is quite evident. The crux of the race problem(s) in the world boiled own to this, If the rich and powerful can drive a wedge between the powerless and keep them fighting of some sill thing like skin complexion, then they will never notice how we are stealing and hoarding things that should rightfully be theirs. "While I enjoy all the luxuries, be content that your skin color makes you better than the guy working hard to to obtain the better things in life." When a person of color has something that the rich and powerful desires, he riles up the poor and deprived riff raff, they go and take it away from the person of color, torture and murder the person and give his belongings to the rich and powerful person. This is the story and history of race relations in America, The Beautiful.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
I have to say this is brilliant that you captured the essence of Nina Simone's Four Women with your "response" with Four Men.
Where her writing and yours have the same goal to address and eliminate the stereotyping of black men and
women.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Mary
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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I have to say this is brilliant that you captured the essence of Nina Simone's Four Women with your "response" with Four Men.
Where her writing and yours have the same goal to address and eliminate the stereotyping of black men and
women.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Mary
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you. I appreciate your wonderful and wise assessment of my humble work. I could never hope to come anywhere near the talent of MS Simone. I am honored to be given a chance to have my work considered alongside hers.
Comment from BethShelby
This is a nicely written response to Nina Simone's work. It is sad that racial prejudice exists and that slavery ever existed. We can't do anything about the past but we can do something about the present. We can work to change the injustices of the past, but the world of today isn't perfect either. Hatred will always exist in some form.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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This is a nicely written response to Nina Simone's work. It is sad that racial prejudice exists and that slavery ever existed. We can't do anything about the past but we can do something about the present. We can work to change the injustices of the past, but the world of today isn't perfect either. Hatred will always exist in some form.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you Beth Shelby, your words bear the mark of truth and wisdom. I appreciate your comments.