Nikki Giovanni initiated me into the culture of Howard University. It was early in my freshman year when she came to give a talk at the auditorium at the School of “B.” My roommate, Cathy, and I excitedly walked across campus from our room in Tubman Quadrangle to hear the legend speak. It was standing room only and both the excitement and love were palpable. Nikki spoke about her time in the movement fighting for both the rights of Black folks in general and Black women specifically. She spoke about the struggle of women in the movement to be heard and respected. A respect that still eludes us.
Nikki’s manner was matter of fact and direct. It was like listening to your favorite aunty, the one that you don’t see often because she’s too busy being a revolutionary and a force of nature. Personally, Nikki always reminded me of my dear Aunt Nancy. A widow that raised three boys and turned them into dedicated family men and citizens. Like Nikki, my Aunt Nancy was an artist and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. And, also like Nikki, Aunt Nancy touched generations by sharing art as her role as an art teacher in one of Baltimore City’s toughest neighborhoods.
Although I never met her, Nikki is family and it is my belief that she would be ok with me referring to her in this way. She is family to every Black woman who survives and thrives in the United States. She is our beloved Aunty and now she is our venerated Ancestor.
You see, Aunt Nikki wrote us a poem and every time we hear or read it, we lift our chins a bit higher and puff out our chests a bit more. At Howard, when she read the words, “ I was born in the Congo,” there was not only a collective cheer but there were also collective tears. The tears that are shed only when you have been truly seen. Aunt Nikki didn’t only see our collective greatness as Black people, but also as individual Black women. Her most famous poem, Ego Tripping, is a reminder directly from our Ancestors about who we truly are absent the constant gaze and influence of whiteness. It brings truth into the light and in that light we find our power.
Not only did our sweet Aunt write about our power, but she also wrote about our tenderness. In her poem Allowables, Nikki wrote about her regret for killing a spider. “I don’t think I’m allowed to kill something because I am frightened.” Of course, the metaphor extends to people, especially innocent Black folks whose lives are taken far too soon without cause.
There is a documentary about her life and achievements: Going to Mars. It is such an odd title to me that I scrolled by it several times before realizing that it was about Nikki Giovanni. The title refers to her belief that not only will human beings reach Mars, but the exploration will be lead by Black women. Yes, she spoke about her fascination with space and space travel in the documentary but I think that declaring “we going to Mars,” has a far deeper meaning.
Poets are rarely, if ever literal. Mars is not only the fourth planet from our sun but Mars is also the god of war. When Nikki states “we going to Mars,” she is calling Black women into battle. She is not speaking of a war of violence and bloodshed.On the contrary, she is speaking of the war we must fight to change the collective consciousness.
Nikki’s entire life was revolutionary and an inspiration and although the documentary was made before our most recent election, she was old enough and wise enough to know that tough times were on the horizon. I know that many of us Black women have decided to rest (and deservedly so) but I believe that Nikki’s soul decided to ascend at this time to shake us up. She believed that we, and only we, have what it takes to move humanity forward by shifting consciousness.
“We going to Mars,” is Nikki’s call to all of the artists to create. To use our words, photos, paintings, songs and movement to push the world into a new, higher state of consciousness. It is our duty to not let her down, because she never let us down.
Some West African cultures believe that our Elders invite their souls to leave their bodies in order to ascend to the Ancestral realm. It is there that they reach full power and are better able to lead and protect us. My Sistahs, no matter a blood relation or lack thereof, know that Nikki chose to ascend now to lead us and protect us.
Thank you, Nikki. We love you.
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