Name: Asani Charles
Profession: Mother, Wife, Writer & Educator
Birthplace: San Francisco, CA
Some thing/color that defines you: Wow, I’ve had a love affair with Black forever, but am also swayed by blues and reds.
Fav Quote: “I do not see teaching as a handing down of answers but as a group of intellectuals sharing ideas.”- Maya Angelou
Heroes: Mother, Nikki Giovanni, Rita Dove, John Trudell (he wrote me on myspace and I was floored!)
Fav writer: wow, um… Charles Johnson, Gloria Naylor and Sherman Alexie
Qualities you look for in a teacher: Great teachers are not bound to programs or mandates, they look for the best way to meet students’ needs, which is usually some unorthodox method.
The most important thing you teach a student: The most important thing I teach students to do is think for themselves.
What you do to Relax: What? Uh, man. We live in the country, and I just love driving through it to witness what God made. Some times I even get out and walk a bit.
Fav Book: I don’t have one! Okay here’s my top three: Mama Day by Gloria Naylor, Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie, and Oxherding Tale by Charles Johnson
Favorite Song/Movie: lawda mercy, I’m too old to have just one! Um, “Adore” by Prince, and man, favorite movie? You mean what movie I have to watch whenever it comes on? Dang. Okay that would have to be—-PurpleRainColorPurpleSchoolDazeandDanceMeOutside (or anything with super fine Adam Beach!)
Favorite Food: oh here we go. Creole. You can actually bribe me of all my unworldly possessions with a slamming shrimp Po’Boy or a bowl of my mama’s gumbo
Your next Dream/Goal: My Next Dream has always been the same; I want to own an RV and tour the powwow circuit with my family, daring to make money through writing only!
Define Peace: Peace is first hand knowledge that Jesus is real and above that, that He has already paid it all for you.
Message to the Next Generation: Read something other than myspace bulletins and text messages. Each generation usually is better educated than those that precede it, but this is the first time that young people do not know the answers to the following questions:
What DIDN’T happen in 1492?
Who are the Olmecs?
What is Manzanar?
Who arrived in North America in 1619?
Last words?: Consider poetry, it’s good for you!
My mini-bio on Asani Charles:
Asani Charles. Mother, wife, writer, teacher, big sister, friend, and an inspiration. Asani is the most animated person I know. Her charming smile and her way of expressing herself through face, hands and body is truly fascinating. While she draws people to her through expression of movement, her eyes tell us stories. Stories you wished your teacher told you in grade school, instead of all the useless equations they read off a book. Asani defines a true teacher, she gives you the inspiration to learn, and she makes sure you know what you’re talking about when you do speak up. She gives you the time and space to let you think for yourself.
I remember when Asani and her family took me in as family when I was going through a lot during my high school days. She taught me responsibility and showed me what trust and friendship was all about. She believed in me, and my dreams and didn’t give up on me, even till this day.
Asani always knows what to say when you’re in need, and when to say it. She gives you the moment to figure out the path for yourself but always is around to back you up. She is a dancer, a writer, and spoken word artist who expresses her culture and struggles through her art, and continues on what her ancestors brought down to her. She passes along her work to her amazing, talented and beautiful children. They are one big family of love, creativity and success! Whether you find her writings, or catch her speaking, or dancing, Asani Charles will give you her wisdom and experiences in all her teachings. Get ready to think, question, and learn!
More Info/Links: www.myspace.com/asanicharles
http://www. geocities. com/danzakar/AsaniCharles. html
Posted November 27, 2008 at 09:42pm by miwaLyric
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