Poet and essayist Louis Reyes Rivera, known as the Janitor of History, author of Scattered Scripture and other volumes of poetry as well as editor and co-editor of several anthologies, died on Saturday. Considered a crucial link between the Latino and African American cultures, his influence as a writer and a teacher spanned many generations. In his honor, we reproduce one his most famous essays and a video of his own rendition of "Bullet Cry", his homage-poem to Malcom X ... read more
We've suffered a terrible loss. It hurts to hear and is almost impossible to believe that Louis is gone. There will never be another like Louis. I'm glad I was fortunate enough to have known him personally and have been trained by him. It was one of the best experiences that I could have gone through and I am the better for it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the prompt reporting of the news. I heard about it on Facebook and had to confirm for myself and your article helped.
Louis Reyes Rivera was extraordinary. I knew him for many years. Though I did not see him often, whenever I was in his company, I learned from him for he was always teaching. He guarded our shared histories with power, dignity, and unbowed, unbroken grace. Above all, he was a warrior wordsmith for truth and justice.
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