Welcome to Fantom Island, where iLL-Literacy's legend finds its habitat. If you've happened upon this portal, may we be as bold as to assert that nested in you is a healthy curiosity. Whether you were drawn here by the Slanted i at this page's 1-o-clock, the quick flash of during loading, or simply because you have a click-happy finger – you've arrived. HihowRUhi?
The peculiar thing about Fantom Island is that it is but a mirage – an Imaginary oasis isolated in the confines of our brainwaves. We shall gradually reveal morsels of our folklore here, so please visit often. To return, simply bring your Imagination as your passport.
Fantom Island
BLACK GENIUSES: Cornell West & Toni Morrison
As a nod to Dahlak’s new song and video “Black Genius,” we present the similarly titled new section of the iLL-Blog, where we show you some of the videos, interviews, and articles from the prominent black voices of yesterday, today, and tomorrow…mostly comprised of the type of stuff we geek out to during rehearsal breaks and in the hotel rooms on tour.
First is this incredible conversation between professor and activist Cornell West (author of Race Matters), and legendary writer Toni Morrison (Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Sula, Jazz…and hella other books that make us feel inadequate as writers).
Taking place on March 24, 2004, it’s interesting to see how far we’ve advanced, as well as how stagnant we’ve remained, since this period rounding the end of Bush’s first term. A conversation that moves from war to queer rights to artistic inspiration, here’s 60 minutes of your life well spent.
