Madison Bowe / Winonan
It takes pride, precision and patience to become a world-renowned poet, author, educator and speaker, but Haki Madhubuti managed to master it all.
Madhubuti spoke with students, faculty and members of the Winona community on Tuesday, Jan. 19 in East Hall at Winona State University to shed light on the racial violence he believes is hurting America.
Madhubuti used the time he had to work through many different points about racial violence in America. Madhubuti explained that at his age, he has seen and been through a lot, almost more than what is believable.
“I don’t have any reason to lie, at 73 [years old] I’ve been around the world,” Madhubuti said.
Madhubuti has shared his past experiences and insight all over the United States.
“I’ve spoken in every state across the states except North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska and Hawaii,” Madhubuti said.
Madhubuti explained his thoughts and personal opinions on specific racial violence cases recently effecting America.
Madhubuti honed in on the shooting of Tamir Rice, an 11 year-old boy from Cleveland. Rice was shot and killed by police while playing with a toy gun in a city park. Madhubuti was astonished to find out neither one of the officers were found guilty after the trial.
“I could not understand how this could happen. Why are these bullets coming at us at this time?” Madhubuti said.
Madhubuti’s main question aims at figure out how racial violence became such a norm in America. The question is frustrating for those who are wondering what they possibly could have done to receive this treatment.
“What did we do to be at the bottom and to receive this type of treatment? What did we do to elicit this type of response to our children?” Madhubuti asked.
Madhubuti was very shaken by this crime. He believes it was totally unnecessary and completely preventable if the police would have taken more careful consideration when analyzing the situation. Madhubuti felt the need to start recording his thoughts on these nearly indescribable events.
“I got up at 4:30 every morning for 90 days to write,” Madhubuti said.
Madhubuti believes that to stop this violence, people need to be courageous and strong-willed. A few people with driven minds have everything needed to take action and begin to put an end to the violence.
Madhubuti believes the most important characteristic a person needs is courage.
“Unconditional courage, when you go up against an empire, you have got to have courage,” Madhubuti said.
Students who attended Madhubuti’s presentation were very interested in the points.
“It was an eye opening experience, I am speechless to be completely honest,” first-year student Jessica Peterson said.
Madhubuti offered new insights on the violence he believes is distorting America. He challenged everyone to have the courage to act now and stand up to stop the violence.
