Proverbs illustrate Jamaican activist's political messages

By: Jackie Saunders

Posted: 2/9/06

Waving his hands and reaching for his water bottle, the Jamaican-American author and activist informs his audience there are more profane proverbs he could entertain them with, but instead he will go with his favorite.

"You will soon learn how the water walks and finds it's way into a pumpkin belly," said Thomas Glave in perfect Jamaican Patois.

Often told to youngsters who were too promiscuous or inquisitive for their own good, the proverb opened last night's reading and discussion of Glave's most recent book, "Words to our Now: Imagination and Dissent."

Many organizations, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center, the Division of Student Affairs and the African-American studies department, invited Glave, an assistant professor of English, general literature and rhetoric at State University of New York-Binghamton, to engage and challenge the audience. His selected readings covered the topics of Abu Ghraib, the War in Iraq and his struggles with personal identity.

"His identity as a Jamaican gay man plays an important role in his writing," said Adrea Jaehnig, director of the LGBT Resource Center. "His message invites all of us to consider a better world."

From the tale of a child called Shehe, who is both male and female and dreams of tamarins, mangoes and a world free of capitalist oppression, to the essay relating Abu Ghraib to lynching in America, Glave's message is profoundly simple and earnest.

"There is a lack of human connection needed to look beyond labels," Glave said. He referred to an article in the gay issues magazine, Out, and criticized the question posed, "Is the War in Iraq an LGBT issue?"

"What that question says to me is that there are certain things that aren't LGBT issues, such as foreign policy, immigration and welfare reform," Glave said. "Immigration has a direct effect on my family."

A frequent guest at Syracuse University, Glave was a panelist for the regional LGBT conference last fall and spoke for the African-American studies department.

However, Glave is not only an activist for gay issues. He is also concerned with racism, foreign policy and domestic issues. Haunting images of lynching, fire and the shouts of joyful bystanders deeply affect Glave's writings and his reason for the essay, "The Body Divided."

Describing the emotions of having two separate identities, one as a black American and one as a Jamaican, Glave discusses the different obstacles he must overcome in each country.

Stressing the importance of never forgetting and never "swooning over the caresses of amnesia," Glave reminds his readers to never forget slavery, genocide, Guantanamo Bay and what humans are capable of.

Jasmine Thompson, a junior information management and technology major, presented Glave with a silver plate embossed with the Syracuse emblem.

"I like his openness. He does not limit his audience because he is gay or black," Thompson said. "He has a message that he wants to relate to unite everyone."

Charismatic and simultaneously commanding, Glave showed his humorous side by telling another proverb, only after the coaxing of the audience.

"A goat should know the size of his own rectum before he swallows an avocado seed," he said.

Glave reassures this is good advice for everyone.