Racist, Subversive, Misunderstood Poet?

As I watched a story about a controversial 7-year-old New York poet on CNN's "American Morning", I was struck by something the young child said. She herself posed a question to the reporter interviewing her,"...I'm very young to be a racist, would you say?"

Little Autum rasied an interesting question, when can one become a racist? I work with children and wouldn't even dare pretend to know. If I do find out I'll let you all know.

Read up on it, and speak up on it. (Leave a comment)

A pic of Autum is at the first link!

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AUTUM ASHANTE, POET: I try my best to speak the truth instead of like lollipops and candy and stuff.
(END VIDEO CLIP)COSTELLO: Ah, but depending on who you ask, this seven-year-old poet's either a child prodigy or a racist. Her story just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: There is a poet here in New York who's causing a whole lot of controversy. Some say she's a racist. Some say she's inflammatory. But the one sure thing you can say about her is this, she's seven-years-old. Jason Carroll joins us now with a story of Autum Ashante.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, just seven-years-old. And another thing you can say about her, she's definitely a very bright seven-year-old girl. But even at her tender age, Autum has strong opinions about her work. She told me the truth hurts. Autum's critics say her version of the truth is also offensive and racist.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AUTUM ASHANTE, POET: I am misunderstood by many.
CARROLL, (voice over): Most girls her age are still learning to read and write. But seven-year-old Autum Ashante is recording her spoken word poetry CD.
AUTUM ASHANTE: I am the mighty black woman.
CARROLL: She has already performed at the Apollo Theater.
AUTUM ASHANTE: I said do not pollute (ph) our God (INAUDIBLE).
CARROLL: And on black entertainment televisions, Hurricane Katrina relief telethon. Critics are calling her a child prodigy, praising her socially conscience poems. But now she's defending herself against charges she's a racist.
AUTUM ASHANTE: I mean, I'm not a racist and I'm very young to be a racist, wouldn't you say?
CARROLL: But students at Peekskill Middle School and High School in New York were offended by her poem titled "White Nationalism Put You In Bondage." The offense, Autum referring to Christopher Columbus, Charles Darwin and Captain Henry Morgan as vampires.
AUTUM ASHANTE: Pirates and vampires like Columbus, Morgan and Darwin.
CARROLL: What did you mean by that?
AUTUM ASHANTE: Because they robbed, raped and murdered our people.
CARROLL: Autum's attempt at raising black awareness did not end with just a poem. It began when she told all the black students in the multi-cultural audience to stand while she read the "Black Child's Pledge," which was originally created by a member of the Black Panthers. She told all the white students that it wasn't for them. That they should sit down.
ALICIA PUCCI, PEEKSKILL H.S. STUDENT: It was a little shocking at first. A seven-year-old telling us to sit down.
CARROLL: The school's superintendent sent apologies after students and parents complained. JUDITH JOHNSON, SUPERINTENDENT, PEEKSKILL S.D.: We're stunned by the fact that this is continuing to represent a story in newspapers and on television. It's not a story for us anymore.
CARROLL: But Autum continues to be the subject of editorials and radio talk shows. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You want to go to Africa? I will personally purchase your airfare!CARROLL: Many of Autum's critics believe her father is behind her words.
BATIN ASHANTE, AUTUM'S FATHER: Put your answer there.
CARROLL: Autum, who is home-schooled, says she wrote the poem after being inspired by a documentary. If a white student stood up and said that this is for white students only . . .
BATIN ASHANTE: (INAUDIBLE) the circumstance. If it was under the same circumstance.
CARROLL: Let me finish the question. Let me finish the question. Her father, Batin, just off camera, interrupted several times.
BATIN ASHANTE: Don't speak on that one. And I'm an offshoot of a soccer parent. We just do poetry and theater.
CARROLL: Batin says he teaches his daughter, but does not tell her what to write. What do you teach Autum about tolerance?
BATIN ASHANTE: We -- tolerance is -- tolerance. We are here with no power in America. We are tolerance.
CARROLL: Even people without power, though, can be intolerant.
BATIN ASHANTE: We're not intolerant of who? I don't want you to take this story here and try to turn this thing into that she's being taught here at home because that's not what we about here. We are spiritual beings.
CARROLL: Despite the controversy, Autum is, at times, a typical seven-year-old.
AUTUM ASHANTE: Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider. Girls go to college to get more knowledge. Hey, girls.
CARROLL: Except when it comes to defending her poem on white nationalism.
AUTUM ASHANTE: I'm going to continue saying that poem mostly until I die.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL: Strong willed little girl. Contrary to published reports, Peekskill school officials say Autum was not banned after her performance. In fact, they say they would have her back, but only if they had a chance to screen her poetry first and, if there was some sort of a chance for Q&A following the reading of her poem.
COSTELLO: Oh, and I have a lot of questions for you.
CARROLL: Oh, I'm sure you do.
COSTELLO: Oh, I do.All right. She mentions Charles Darwin, Christopher Columbus in her poem.CARROLL: That is correct.
COSTELLO: Not many seven-year-olds know who Charles Darwin is or what he did. CARROLL: That is correct.
COSTELLO: I mean, who is writing these poems? Is it her or does her father help her? CARROLL: Well, I asked her father about that. He says he helps her with punctuation. He says that he shows her all sorts of books and documentaries. That she comes up with the ideas herself. I'm not a parent, but I think a lot of parents would argue that in terms of -- they do influence their children whether they mean to or not.
COSTELLO: Well, like when you were asking the child a question, he was in the background telling her not to answer.
CARROLL: He's definitely protective of his daughter. He says he's overprotective given that there have been threats against her since she read this poem and what not. But, you know, I find it -- this is a man who definitely challenges his daughter. He says he doesn't influence his daughter. But, once again, you know, he is a parent and I think it's hard for some parents not to influence their children.
COSTELLO: Jason Carroll, an interesting, fascinating story. Thank you very much.

For cute pics and more info about the little tike visit below:

http://educationwonk.blogspot.com/2006/03/autum-ashante-child-prodigy-or.html
http://autumashante.exploretalent.com
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin031506.php3