Boonaa Mohammed | |
---|---|
Born | April 14, 1987 |
Origin | Canada |
Genres | Spoken word |
Occupation(s) | Poet, writer, Media professional |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 2007–present |
Website | www |
Boonaa Mohammed (born April 14, 1987) is a Canadian spoken-word poet and writer of Oromo descent.
YouTube Encyclopedic
-
1/3Views:414 0107 4562 874
-
TEDxToronto - Boonaa Mohammed "Kill Them With Love"
-
When Allah Speaks To YOU Directly! Spoken Word Poetry -Boonaa Mohammed
-
Ma théorie - Boonaa Mohammed
Transcription
Show me a stranger and I'll show you a friend that you haven't met yet. Because the obstacle in the way of anything is usually just one of the prices of success. And people are more than numbers. To crack a smile is really no stress. Divide my time like economics, I love to say "Hi" and "Bye" less. Multiply first impressions by everything you might have guessed. Prejudice takes time but my time is business. And this just makes big dollars and sense. Why would you hate when love just costs less? In fact, the muscles it takes to make a frown make more work than to just turn it upside-down. But you hate it when I'm polite. Can't stand when I'm sincere. Call me all these names. Wondering why I'm still just standing here? Mainly because your ignorance leads me to believe that you really just need a hug. (Laughter) And I've been public enemy number one ever since I learned to kill them with love. I am a psychotic serial lover. Seriously considering only complimenting our mothers, because whether you like it or not, I am your brother. A teddy bear terrorist chilling with my well-mannered crew. Yeah, you're a racist but I'm gonna still hold the door open for you. 'Cause seriously, dude, ain't no need for the attitude and I ain't mad at you, I had bad days too. Here's my celly. Let's talk. I'm a great listener too. Family driving you crazy, man, and I know I ain't do. Let me know. I love kids, I can be a babysitter too. Yeah, boy, 'cause I'm nice like that. I even watch your car if you promise that you'll be right back. So relax and be cool. Ain't no point in lying to you. I am a servant and my master sees all that I do. So tell me what you need, dude. A dollar? Here, take two. Achoo! May a lord bless you, guide you, and make things easy for you. This respect thing is just what I do. And it's past tolerating. It's on the path of understanding and appreciating you. So tell me what you're gonna do when the love come for you? Insult my heritage? We're both from Adam and Eve, fool! Oh, snap! How you like that? You gave me extra change and I gave it right back. I let people pass when they wanna switch lanes 'Cause if it was me, I hope they'd do the same. You butchered my name but this is OK. It happens all the time. I won't correct it anyways. And it may sound strange but I'm a beat at change. Improve every day to prove their rudeness is lame. I believe in modesty and try to lower my gaze, and if everything is from above than everything is the same. I ain't impressed by money, cars, clothes, or fame. I am a Muslim, so the trinkets of this world don't mean a thing. I was taught that peace is not the absence of war. But peace is a feeling that can only come from remembering your Lord so for the sake of peace there's no point in hating me anymore. It's a big place. We can all live together in this world. I invite you all to join me in this jihad of love, and see first hand why fundamentalism still begins with fun. (Laughter) And if you don't agree I won't even judge. I just kill you all with love. (Applause)(Cheers) (Music)
Early life
Mohammed is a second generation Ethiopian immigrant of Oromo ancestry.[1][2] His Parents came to Canada as political refugees seeking asylum in the country after their involvement with the Oromo Liberation Movement in Ethiopia.
He grew up in the down-town Toronto area and was heavily involved in the street life while attending Oakwood Collegiate Institute. He graduated at the top of his class and was named Valedictorian before enrolling in Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and graduating from the Radio and Television Arts program in 2011.
Career
In 2007, Mohammed won the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Poetry Face-Off "Best New Artist" award. He also has a playwright residency at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto.[3] He has appeared on TedX Toronto and has had a short story published in a Penguin Canada anthology called "Piece by Piece"
Besides poetry and theatre, Mohammed is the founder of Safina Media, an Islamic media production company and has continued the art of story-telling through various platforms of media.
References
- ^ "Oromo-Canadian poet Boonaa Mohammed celebrates African legacy". Oromia Times. February 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Dabu, Sheila (June 15, 2007). "Art Saves Young Lives, Forum Told". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ "Boonaa Mohammed". TEDxToronto 2014 Conference. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
External links