An interview with Anthony Osei
Tell us about yourself
My Name is Anthony Akoto Osei Jr. I am a 1st
Generation Ghanaian-American, the 1st born son of two Ghanaian
Immigrants who came to America to complete their Tertiary educations. As a Health Science specialist I have had the
honor of working for and with the Veteran Affairs Medical Centers in Cleveland,
Ohio and Oakland, CA. It was working with Veterans in aiding them to find
healthier ways to deal with Stress, OTSD and depression that I was able to make
us of the Poetic writing schools I picked up in High school and thought I would
discard upon deciding to pursue Public Health and Clinical Research. Currently I am blessed to live in Alameda, CA
with my fiancee’ Claudette Davis and our two pet-children 7 year old Gucci Osei
and 2 year old Pabou.
Tell us about the poetry scene in your country
Modern Poetry in Ghana has made a significant boost in
popularity over the last couple of years, but there are not too many
internationally acclaimed Ghanaian poets that most people know. Instead, Ghana
as a cultural melting pot is known for Folk stories and art written in the
native dialects of “Twi” and Ga which typically speak of a Love for Nature, GOD
and fellow Human Beings.
What influences your creativity?
Having had the opportunity to travel to many different
countries, my artwork is fueled by my own personal experiences dealing with
Life and Loss as well as the interactions I have been able to make with many
many people from vastly different cultures. My poetry is influenced by a desire
to communicate within a word where it is difficult for even LOVERS to
communicate adequately with each other.
How do you get around life and your creativity, how do you achieve
balance between these, living and creativity.
I do not see Living and Creativity as separate. To me, the
process of creation requires one to actually live AND experience simultaneously.
It demands of us Truthfulness in the interpretation of the things and
occurrences we say on a daily basis and how those experiences shape our very
minds. The artists is one who takes that Influence and turns it into a physical
expression that can be Perceived, Observed and eventually understood through
relation.
What do you feel is lacking in writing, or poetry making in the
continent and how do you think we can solve this
People always speak of certain voices missing in the stage
of poetry: not enough people of color, not enough women, not enough men….
Personally I think poetry in the modern age
is lacking Commitment to its broader audience. Most poets, regardless of
who they are only Write to be heard speaking about an issue that is mostly
Personal to them alone. Most poets fail to use their avenue to raise awareness
surrounding issues that do not directly pertain to them or their experiences in
life. This a detriment. Writing about ONLY what you care about limits a Poet in
both Creativity and accessible Inspiration.
If you were a poem, what type or form will you be in, and why?
I would not be confided to a particular form if I were a
poet as the art of writing for me is a form of Escape and Freedom and I would
not want to be stuck within a single form of expertise or ability.
What type of sports are you into.
I personally engage in Swimming, Running, Track & Field,
Cultural and Urban Dance, Capoeira Angola and Regional, Various forms of
Martial Arts and Yoga. I also enjoy watching Basketball and UEFA Football
(Soccer for Americans)
Tells us about your poems in BNAP
My poems are all about my experiences growing up as a Ghanaian
American within various environments. They are my point of view, interaction
with the world.
What do you think can be done to improve BNAP anthology, in the
future editions; marketing, editorial etc..
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