Red Summer

First Person

(for my muse)

she is a poet who refuses

to write in first person

prefers pronouns

like the all powerful "they"

verse after verse of "the man's" involvement

in oppression

patriarchal systems and economic depression

She is a narrator

third person limited

twice removed

from any emotional connection to the subject matter

never understanding

why the only subject that mattered to me

was her

this poet

who refuses to write in first person

ironically

was the first person to make me feel

like I exist

First Person by Red Summer is an intimate, poetic narrative look at the many facets and faces of love. It runs the gamut of emotions as one woman looks at her life from all sides. It explores the heartaches and hallelujahs that come when love and life both come full circle and we learn to live in First Person.

oppression olympics

race or gender

which is most pressing

in issues of oppression

where do i stand

when i stand on both sides

and lose either way

Raw Sugar is a collection of poetry and prose that turns the gaze outward to the world. It is a critical analysis of experiences in contemporary society without the typical American filter. Raw Sugar is direct and confrontational with a sensitivity and compassion that Red Summer is known for.

oooh girl...

11 year old

the information age

breathless

Red Summer is a performance artist, activist, motivational speaker and published writer. She has a BA in Speech, Theatre and Communications Education from Grambling State University in Louisiana, an MA in Interdisciplinary Art from Columbia College in Chicago and a second MA in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Her work has taken her all over the country, where she has been able to speak on a variety of issues covering gender equality, race, sexual identity, relationships, religion, social history and education.

In the Fall of 2008, Red Summer left a career as a High School and College educator to pursue her dream as a full-time performance artist, writer and filmmaker. At that time, she was traveling across the country promoting her first collection of poetry, First Person, and growing her international audience with performances in Cuba, Spain, France, England and various countries in Africa. In 2012, Red Summer released her second collection of poetry, Raw Sugar.

As an independent artist, Red Summer worked on her first documentary film project entitled, Chasing Summer. It is a virtual shotgun ride on a personal journey that was as elaborate as Red Summer herself. Her love for poetry and music intertwined to make this experience an artistic journey, while her passion for history, travel and culture drove a spiritual mission to overcome the past and redefine the future. With each city she visited, Chicago Documentarian, Carlos Saqiid, captured the essence of the people and their perspectives on their city's unique history revolving around music, education, politics, sports and culture. Additionally, Chasing Summer features students who participated in an interactive outreach program, created by Red Summer, that engages high school and college students in writing, public speaking and performance art. She has partnered with Young Chicago Authors and Poets and Writers to promote "Verbal Remedies" through writing workshops for youth in urban areas. She also provides self-esteem workshops and programs around topics such as; college readiness, life-skills, entrepreneurship, social history/activism and career education. Red Summer and her team truly believe in giving back to young people by "watering their dreams" and empowering them with the tools they need to be successful. Her second documentary project, Al Nisa - Muslim Women in Atlanta's Gay Mecca premiered in Atlanta in July 2013 and has begun touring.

Red Summer as a poet, was born from Red Summer the actress. In Atlanta, Red has reconnected with her first love through her connection to M.Power and Diva Blue Productions and other production companies and agencies in the city.