Page 117 - harambee572020

Artist Spotlight
Master Storyteller; Amir B. Rashidd, M.K., M.C.
Storytelling and music have always been an integral
part of the family structure of African People
throughout the Diaspora. The ancient art of
Storytelling is the process in which basic
information is passed from one generation to the
next; used to educate children, and to pass on the
people's story of themselves. Storytelling maintains
cultural tradition, teaches social values, builds self
esteem, teaches community awareness and provides
a network of role models.
Amir B. Rashidd, M.K., M.C. is a true Griot and
Storyteller whose stories are filled with sunshine
and laughter. Rashidd's father was a drummer. He
said he has been around drums all his life. Rashidd
a percussionist who plays a two-sided drum from
Ghana called a jun jun is a disc jockey. He is an
artist: musician, sculpture, painter and writer.
Rashidd who now lives on Blessing Street in the
Hill district, first began translating African history
through music in1974 when he was a cultural
anthropology student at the University of
Bridgeport. Given the task of writing a 15-page
paper on this chosen subject of oral history, Rashidd
decided it would be more appropriate to do the
Art-&-Facts
paper orally. Rashidd arranged to speak to people
on the University radio Station, where he started
giving his learners a taste of various third-world
music and told the history of African-Americans.
Originally from Cleveland Rashidd came to
Pittsburgh on late 1970s and a studied at the
Institute of Creative Art where he became
Maulaana Kuumba a (Master Teacher in Creativity).
He believes on the need of the inclusion of African
American History, Literature and Art in higher
Education. Employed by the Board of Education for
16 years, Rashidd has taught art to children
throughout the city in various after-school and
community programs. Brother Amir has preformed
and read throughout the United States, Africa,
Europe and various Colleges and Universities. His
published works include: Ending of Truth
Beginnings (Cleveland Free Press,1967); Yams: A
Bitter Melon Blues Work (Creative Writers of
Bridgeport , CT 1975). and Sweet Blood Call
illustrated By Louis Griffith (Archives Press,
Pittsburgh Pa. 1977).
In most families there is the one person, (uncle,
aunt, cousin or long-time family -friend) who cames
to visit from time to time bearing strange gifts. This
person usually had some fascinating occupation that
carries him/her to many different places around the
world, or around the country, or may be just across
town. Everyone sat around waiting for stories.
Those fascinating tales would hold us spellbound
for hours at a time, stories with much knowledge to
share, information about the world and its people.
One such person is Baba Amir has provided our
families neighbors, and one communities the
storytelling traditions and culture for children and
opportunity for parents alike to share. Everyone in
the family gathers round to listen and to learn from
the many life lessons and tales of your own
imagination.
Baba Amir We Thank You!