Sonia Sanchez, an award-winning poet, activist, professor, national and international orator and author, gave a lecture and read from her published works Wednesday night to a group of about 150 University of Memphis students, faculty and staff.
Along with reading samples of her poetry, Sanchez discussed the hardships and stereotypes African-Americans face today.
She also explained the personal life stories or social issues that have inspired her works.
Sanchez attempted to impart to students in the audience vital life lessons, including the importance of knowing world history and listening to elderly people.
"There is so much that we can learn from other people," Sanchez said. "Go back and listen to those who have gone before you. You can learn a lot from them. I hope you understand that we as African-Americans are blessed. We are a people who can change this country, but you can't do that without information."
Sanchez's presentation was sponsored by the Black Student Association, which has anticipated her visit for quite some time and was excited about her arrival, according to Tarsha Keskessa, administrative secretary for Minority Affairs.
"She was supposed to be part of our Black History Program, but she was ill and had to reschedule," Keskessa said. "I am glad that she was finally able to come, because she is a very dynamic speaker. She is very expressive. The way she talks is like she is reciting poetry. I love to just listen to her talk. She has a really dynamic personality."
Sanchez told the audience she was glad to be in Memphis and dedicated her speech to Gwendolyn Brooks and her father, both of whom she said she holds in high esteem.
She also discussed the positive improvements that African-Americans have made over the years. She mentioned great African-American writers, such as W.E.B. DuBois, who have helped make it possible for African-Americans to improve their lives.
"Despite us being enslaved, we have survived," Sanchez said. "The greatest thing about the 20th century is the African-Americans. We are continually learning and improving. We went from slavery to this. I am utterly amazed by us."
Sanchez told students the most important part of her lecture -- the part she wanted them to remember -- was how important it is to be knowledgeable and upright human beings.
"Half of most of my life has been used to learn how to walk upright as a human being, which is a hard thing to do," she said. "You can't be looking for the bad in someone. You should be looking for the good in people, and you will find good in yourself. You have to know what it means to love yourself."
At the conclusion of the lecture, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. presented Sanchez, an honorary member of the sorority, with a gift to show their appreciation.
"I had the wonderful opportunity to pick her up from the airport and show her around town," said Meredith Lee, a senior architecture major and AKA. "She is very down to earth and a wonderful spirit. She shared some beautiful words with us. She is very inspirational."
Among the many honors Sanchez has received are the Community Service Award, the Lucretia Mott Award, the Outstanding Arts Award, the Peace and Freedom Award and the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Excellence in the Humanities. She has lectured at more than 500 universities and has traveled around the world to read her poetry. She was the first Presidential Fellow at Temple University, where she began teaching in 1977. She held the Laura Carnell Chair in English there until her retirement in 1999.
