Truth time – I hate twitter more than I love twitter. And lately, given the state of politics and hate and chatter – I’m really not a fan. BUT, a couple of months ago, I found light in the dark chasms of positivity. I found words of hope coming across my screen when it seemed like the whole world was mad. I found the tweets of
author/storyteller/artist/performer/father extraordinaire, Joel L. Daniels.
I’m a big believer in the power of words, the beauty that they can hold, the positivity that they can put forth – and that’s what’s wrapped in Joel’s words – truth. Beauty. Honesty. Love. Hope. Dreams. Power. Positivity.
In an age where there’s a million things wrong with twitter, Joel is all that’s right. And, lucky for y’all he’s released a book of poetry that is a must read for all. Trust me.
I’m thrilled to kick off 2018 with the relaunch of our Q&A Series, and honored that Joel has taken the time to chat with me. I know all of you Write Teacher(s) Readers will love him just as much as I do.
MM: When did you first realize you wanted to be an author? A poet? A storyteller?
JD: They all kind of feel like a hodge-podge, mixed bag of artistic things. It’s so hard to say, because each one feels like both the chicken AND the egg; each has served the other and vice versa. I recently tweeted Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, and told her I played Martin in my 2nd grade Black History Month class, and that kind of set the stage for as an actor, a performer, and really an advocate and activist for the arts and art movements led by persons of color. I was writing in our school newspaper in 4th grade; I had an imaginary band and drawn-out album covers and film ideas when I five years of age. I have never known a time when I wasn’t using words on paper or on stage to convey a message.
MM: Of all the words you’ve written, what words are closest to your heart?
JD: Any words that involve my daughter. Every single one of the words has fire attached to them.
MM: When one walks into your home, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
JD: Junot Diaz’s “This Is How You Lose Her”, Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen”, Hilton Als’ “White Girls”, and Christopher Cross’ “Heavier Than Heaven”.
MM: If you were stranded on a desert island, what television shows and/or movies would you want available to you, (assuming of course you have a television and Internet connection?)
JD: Ha! Well, “Do the Right Thing” is a constant; “Mo’ Betta Blues”…really the entire Spike Lee pantheon. Oh, and “Atlanta”. I watch zero television. And not in the pretentious, millennial, cord-cutting sort of way; I literally have issues with the cable box and too lazy to fix it and I don’t have the patience anymore to sit through a series, hence why documentaries and films and books are my vices. But, fucking “Atlanta”. That shit is genius. Ask me about Game of Thrones, and I know it’s about a bunch of white people fucking and killing…that’s all I got.
MM: What’s the best piece of advice you’d want to offer aspiring storytellers?
JD: Tell your story exactly how you want to tell it, regardless of what others tell you. It’s your story. Also, don’t listen to me. Don’t be too attached to anything – learn to let go of your work enough to let it be what it will once it leaves your hands.
MM: What sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
JD: My daughter’s laugh is the greatest thing ever. I hate a cough that goes uncovered. Like, cover ya’ fucking mouth, please. Cause now I may die, and I also want to kill you.
MM: What literary or musical theatre character is most like your personality? Least like your personality?
JD: Hmm…definitely could relate way too well to Junot Diaz’s male protagonist in “This Is How You Lose Her”. Ummm, least like me? Hamlet. He needs Jesus and a sponge bath.
MM: Time for shameless self promotion! Tell our readers what you want to brag about, what you’re excited about!
JD: Well, I wrote a book! “A Book About Things I will Tell My Daughter” is available for purchase via Bottlecap Press, and Amazon. Also, I’ll be emceeing an event on February 15th at NYU Gallatin. 6:30pm…some talented and gifted young NYU poets sharing their work for Black History Month. Oh, working on my memoir, so that’s pretty cool. Find me on Instagram and Twitter at @joelakamag.
MM: In today’s economic state, arts education programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a school board or politician for preserving arts education programming in schools?
JD: The arts save lives. I am a testament to that. The art, especially theater and music, help build camaraderie and leadership skills, and also teaches students the value of community-building. The same reasoning school boards and communities use sports as way to help young kids learn certain values, are the same ways the arts fosters growth and development, sans head trauma and hyper-masculine standards. Yay!
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher? (Can absolutely be more than one)
JD: My mother. My daughter. My daughter’s mother. My brother Dwain. My mirror.
Thanks, Joel!
Write Teacher(s) Readers – be sure to check out Joel’s book, which is available for your purchasing pleasure right here.
