News
March 31
Like most seniors, Alwin Jones will walk across the graduation stage and pick up his diploma, however, Jones already carries a product of his undergraduate years that is even more important to him. This product is a copy of his recently published compilation of poetry entitled, Black Trinity, which he considers to be the crowning achievement of his years at Tufts. Black Trinity explores Jones' concept of the African-American experience in a collection of poetry he has written at Tufts. The recent publication of Jones' work, has received a warm reception on campus. Called a "book of story bound and elegiac poetry" by Lisa Coleman, director of the Africana Center, the book weaves Jones' poetry together with a story line, divided in three parts. The three main sections are: "Letters of Free Prisoner," "Letters of Alwin A.D. Jones," and "Letters of Black Moses." Black Moses is the father of Free Prisoner, who is a character Jones created "to help [Free Prisoner] to write and to say different things that [he] wanted to say." While the two outer sections comprise the interaction between the father and his son, the middle contains the ruminations of the poet himself. An English and comparative religion double major, Jones produced the book as part of his final project for his interdisciplinary minor, Africa and the New World. The influence of his studies at Tufts is evident throughout the poetry. "Alwin paints a vivid portrait of Black America and the Black experience, with a lacing of his personal triumphs," freshman Alicia Chung said. "His pieces are a marvel of brilliance, and I always enjoy listening and reading his work because of its power and the images it carries with it." Students filled the Capen House lounge on Monday, April 29 to listen to a reading of Jones' published work. Jones' rhythmic voice and unique verse brought his poetry to life for many of the students present. "I think it is great to get your work published as a student, to get your voice out there," senior Sarah Marcus said. The evening began with sophomore Chinua Thelwell's reading of the book's introduction, titled "The Intro of Pre-Genesis." Jones then joined Thelwell, and together the two read "Hood Dependencies (Voices)," a six-page spoken-word poem. "Alwin is dedicated to the page and the performance aspect of poetry," Thelwell said. "This kind of dedication is rare these days." According to those present at the reading, the intonations of their voices made the poetry come alive, and the audience was moved by Jones' words. "The words roll off his tongue like honey from the ladle," sophomore Nikhil Abraham said. "His puns are original and new and his poetry is so personal that it is an outlet both for himself and for those who listen." For freshman Zeleka Yeraswork, seeing Jones perform was inspirational. "It's motivational to hear him perform, to read his writing and really just to see what he has accomplished while still here at Tufts," Yeraswork said. "Alwin for me is the symbol of 'it can be done'." Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and Jones' advisor, Jean Herbert praises Jones' poetic abilities. "Alwin is a remarkable young man with a remarkable talent - he has important things to say," Herbert said. Herbert believes that Jones will be an influence in the world of poetry, noting his original and skillful use of language. "He ...uses language that is not only inventive, but also profound; he exploits the shapes and sounds of words to his purpose in a way that reveals many levels of meaning," she said. "I admire his determination in getting this excellent work published and performed." Junior Joi Brown already owns a copy of Jones' book and finds that reading the poetry instead of seeing it performed gives it a whole new meaning. "I'm about halfway through it now, and I'm enjoying it very much," Brown said of the book. "To have the poetry on paper brings it in a whole new dimension, something that just hearing the poetry can't do." Jones wants to be able to share his voice and views with others, and believes that it is not important how many books get published, but rather, the influence that they have. "You don't have to be big in media - you just have to be heard, you have to be recognized and touch someone out there," Jones said. "Black is what I know, if there is anything such as 'knowing black.' So that is what I write from. The only hope is that it can reach people on different levels." In the book's foreword Coleman explains that Jones drew on religion, especially the Book of Genesis, the Psalms, the Songs and the Book of Revelation, to draw "...the connections between the doctrine of dogma, as well as the imprisonment of the spirit [to create] a mosaic of ballads dedicated to love, community, family, and of course the black subject." "This book isn't free of intersections of race, but I'm 22 years old and bringing up discrepancies of race and religion and I'm not proposing any answers," Jones said. There are some elements of Jones's own life in the poetry. "Some of the poetry is personal, some is imagination - it's for the reader to interpret," Jones said. Jones compares life in Brooklyn with life in Africa in "The Land of My Sister, Night." Jones was raised by his grandmother in Guyana, and moved to Brooklyn to live with his mother at the age of 13. The contrast of the two lands and the struggles of women raising children on their own are conveyed through much of the poetry. "Free Prisoner is kind of like a pen name," Jones said. "I believe that everyone is a Free Prisoner, that's just the nature of things. It's the way we exist, we are held prisoner by all kinds of things in our lives, and it can apply to anyone who reads this book." On the other hand, Jones explains that Free Prisoner is not an alter ego. "I don't live it except for when I'm writing it," Jones said. While he might not live out his work, on March 28 it was acted out in a performance held in Dewick dining hall. The performance incorporated poetry, dance, theater, and singing. "On that day, I brought the three characters to life on stage - Free Prisoner, Black Moses, and Alwin Jones," Jones said. "In the Alwin Jones part of the performance, the character talked about life, love, and religion... you could say that the middle section is like my life." Jones does not want to "pigeon-hole" the book and summarize its meaning in a couple of concise sentences. He stresses that each poem is up to the interpretation of the reader, but notes that the reader might understand more of the poem's significance if he or she knows Jones personally. The three blank pages found within Black Trinity have been the cause of much speculation. Jones says that he is constantly filling the margins of poetry books and novels that he reads with his reactions and opinions concerning the works, and believes that this has helped him to find his own voice. For this reason, he has included the blank pages titled "The Outro of Post Revelations" so that they can be filled in by the readers of his poetry. Those who attended Jones's reading at the Capen House Lounge on April 29 had nothing but praise for his achievement and for the quality of his work. "The depth and the insight of the poetry are so beautiful," freshman Valerin Lopez said. "He is a wonderful poet." Many were impressed with his dedication. "Alwin is one of the most artistic people that I have ever met," freshman Nytangia Leitzsey said. "His poetry is just one of the many ways he is able to portray his talent." Others wished Jones luck in his future poetic endeavors. "His poems reflect emotions and issues I can place myself in while listening to his poetry," Chung said. "I wish him all the best and God's Blessings for sheer success." Professor Rosalind Shaw, Director of the Africa and the New World Program, is duly impressed with Jones's accomplishments. "This is a bold, ambitious project that Alwin has worked on with determination and vision for the past two years," Shaw said. "His poetry is stunning, this is an incredible accomplishment." In addition to writing poetry, Jones teaches a poetry class to high school students as part pf the Nia Project, a tutoring and mentoring program in Medford that was started by two Tufts students and which is now based out of The University College of Citizenship and Public Service. Jones says he has worked with this program in order "to help kids find their voice." After graduating, Jones hopes to work at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. At Phillips Academy Jones would hold a teaching internship and would work on his applications to graduate schools. In the future, he plans to pursue a Ph.D in English Literature with a focus in either the poetry or the literature of the Black Diaspora. Jones intends to continue to write as well. Other aspirations include creating a fund for future Tufts students who are struggling to publish their work. "I think that part of my profits will go to a fund that will pay for some of the fees writers have to take care of," Jones said. The book, which is dedicated to Jones's "friends, family, and companions in the way," can be purchased for $13.00. Jones asks that the publisher be contacted at BlackTrinity3@hotmail.com.
