The Black Student Alliance brought the artist Drew "Droopy" Anderson to campus Tuesday night to recite his poetry at "The Mic," an open poetry jam held twice a month in the Battelle-Tompkins Atrium.
"The Mic is like a confessional - all of your business just comes out," Droopy said.
Along with sharing Mardi Gras beads with the audience in honor of Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent, Droopy shared a plethora of poetry ranging from his experiences as a teacher and dealings with the record industry, but most of his poetry was about his experiences with women.
Droopy often referred to himself as the "surrogate boyfriend:" the boy girls ran to when no one else was around.
"I look at my life as my own sitcom. You have to laugh at yourself," he said.
Droopy also shared several love poems in anticipation of Valentine's Day.
"I watch you slumber and envy the pillow that gets to whisper the poetry of peace to your eardrum beat," Droopy recited in his poem "Night Watchman."
Droopy also incorporates the students he teaches at Washington Math, Science, and Technology Public Charter High School into his rhymes.
"I give my homework assignments over Neptune's beats / If I didn't, they'd probably hit the refuse heap / 'Cause my students live on MTV and BET / So they could give a damn about WEB," Droopy said in his poem titled "Teachin'," a parody of the rap song "Grindin'" by the Clipse.
He also mimicked Destiny's Child's song "I Need a Soldier" by saying that they would never do anything associated with "needing a soldier."
"I have students who look up to them and the song gives them the wrong message," he said.
Droopy said some older faculty members are concerned with the way he uses slang in the classroom, but he said it allows him to connect with his students.
Droopy graduated from Howard University and published two books, "Droopy: Dat Boy's A Fool" and "Feel No Way: The Drew Testament." He also recorded two albums, "Slamboozled: The Vitreous Humor LP" and "The Broke Album."
Another open mic event, "First Love," will be held Monday in the Battelle Atrium at 8:15 p.m. Former BET "ComicView" comedian Sean Sarvis will host.
The Mic will next be held Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. in the Battelle Atrium, co-sponsored by the Black Student Alliance and Davenport Lounge.
Today several groups on campus are sponsoring events for Black History Month including "Black Same-Sex Households in the 2000 Census" in the Battelle Atrium at 6 p.m. and "What is Real Love?" sponsored by Alpha Nu Omega at 8 p.m. in Mary Graydon 245. On Sunday the BSA will hold a general body meeting at 8 p.m. in Mary Graydon 245. For more information on these events, contact Melva Jones at x3651. Also, see the Campus Calendar on Page 3 in Monday's edition of The Eagle.
