University Daily Kansan
Page 7
SUA Poetry Hour Features African Students' Work
Racial segregation, a beer can and African drums were the topics of original poetry written and read by Augustine Kvei, Ashanti, Ghana, senior, at the SUA Poetry Hour yesterday.
By Dolores Orman
IN HIS POEMS "African in Louisiana" and "Southland." Kyei related his brief but unhappy encounters with prejudice in the South. In reading the former poem, he produced an empty mayonnaise jar in which soup was served to him at one establishment.
It was the first time this year a KU student presented his own works at the poetry session.
Kyei said he believed writing such experiences helped to create understanding between America and his country.
"Writing the poems was a necessity," Kyei said in an interview later. "I had to write them in order to forget," he said. "They were not born of hatred and malice but of love and truth."
A student in architecture, Kyei said he will work approximately six and a half months after graduation this June before returning to Ghana.
IN A LIGHTER vein, Kyei read his poem "Utah Beer Can." The poem described Kyei's experience of finding a lowly beer can in a desolate area of Utah.
A section of the poem read "It is touch so dainty you evoke in me-so human, because you are the closest of kin to humanity that is so sorely missing here."
Kyei read poems relating his experiences in Ghana and the United States. Observing that poetry is a universal language, Kyei said "Poems in Chinese, African, etc. are only so because of linguistic differences." Once they express basic truths they become universal in meaning."
IN READING ONE of his poems about Ghana, entitled "Talking Drums." Kyei employed the use of a set of drums, playing them with small delicate-looking sticks.
Another poem about his country related the story of a man who was rich in the country's heritage of folk songs and stories, but who died without being able to impart his knowledge because he could not read or write.
The poem "My Ghana," which
described the scenes of country life such as naked children playing in the dust, contained the refrain "don't let that ruffle you visitor for life in Ghana is like that."
ANOTHER AFRICAN poem related Kyei's childhood experience when he succumbed to the temptation to eat meat prepared for dinner after his mother had forbidden him to do so.
Kyei's American poems included "Reflection on Love," which recounted the myriad aspects of love
BEER CAN—A single beer can found in the desolate region of Utah inspires a poem to its loneliness from Augustine Kyei, Ashanti, Ghana, senior, at the SUA Poetry Hour yesterday.
including a bittersweet taste similar to strawberries; "My Heart Conceals"; "Bluffs of Color," and "So Long," the latter poem describing Kyei's puzzlement and eventual understanding of American idioms such as "Hey buddy, take it easy. Don't work so hard."
Kyei's poetry has appeared in several books and magazines including "Ghanian," "Kansas Engineer" and "Quill" magazines and an anthology, "Poems of Black Africa," edited by Langston Hughes.
In his poem, "Au Revoir USA." Kyei related the feelings of mixed emotions as he prepares to leave this country.
Anderson Lauds Dean Moreau
A former student of Frederick J. Moreau, professor of law, spoke last night at a banquet honoring the retiring KU faculty members.
The student was Gov. John Anderson.
Speaking at the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity dinner, Gov. Anderson cited some of the accomplishments of his former instructor.
"The life of law is not logic," Gov. Anderson said. "It is experience. And the life of Dean Moreau has been law for 34 years."
Directing his comments to the law students and several noted Kansas judges, Gov. Anderson advised them not to abdicate their responsibility "to reconcile individuals and individual aspirations with the common good of society.
"We must take up the challenge of today's problems of social concern," Gov. Anderson said.
He reminded the lawyers of their heritage—"to contribute to attaining and maintaining civil liberties.
"If we do not attempt to mold and create society according to the principles of law, then it will never be done," he said.
"We have supplanted riots, anguish and bigotry in those areas we thought we solved 100 years ago in the Civil War," he said.
The struggle for individual liberties continues to take place, Gov. Anderson said.
Gov. Anderson said the only solution lies in the legal profession's attaining its goals.
Friday, May 10, 1963
Course Opens June 6 For Educational TV
A new course on the use of educational television will be taught here this summer, June 6-August 3.
Gale R. Adkins, associate professor of radio-TV, will teach the course and two other courses emphasizing program planning and classroom utilization.
A seminar on Programming for Community Radio and Television will be offered for graduate credit during the two weeks of July 8-22.
Sky Spy Satellite Shot in Secret
POINT ARGUELLO, Calif. — (UPI) — Another satellite was launched in secrecy yesterday — probably of the Samos or Midas "sky soy" series.
The Air Force announcement said only that a satellite employing an Atlas-Agena booster combination had been launched from this Pacific missile range base north of Los Angeles.
Fry It Out—Kansan Classified
Open Bowling
8 a.m.-11 p.m. Week Days 1 p.m.-11 p.m.Sunday
We Will Be Open At The REGULAR HOURS All During FINAL WEEK.
Try Bowling For A STUDY BREAK!
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS -UNIVERSITY THEATRE
presents
One Night Only — Friday, May 10
Swarthout Recital Hall All Seats $1.50