The New Perspective

Dua Aldasouqi is a Palestinian American who spent most of her adult years in East Lansing. She is a dietitian by profession, but has a passion for poetry and the spoken word. Her poetry is very diverse, both in terms of subject matter and style. Oftentimes her unique perspective as a minority in America shapes her poetry, from poems on the struggles against racism, to social injustice, to the everyday struggles of life including a fun poem on how google had failed her. She is currently living in Texas to complete a seminary program to enhance her spiritual growth and ability to serve the community.

In the studio with Rina Risper is Jazmen Higgins, student and poet. Jazmen enjoys expressing herself with the written word, and she feels writing helps her sort through her emotions. Jazmen shares one of her poems and explains the meaning and motivation in authoring this poem.

Joining Rina Risper is Tari Muniz, an activist, writer, producer, and spoken word artist. Her passions are gardening and grand-mothering. She gleefully embraces her identity as a Salty Old Broad. They discuss the joy of poetry.

Jay Alan joins Rina Risper for a conversation about poetry. Jay writes poetry because, for some reason, it is the way he connects with the world. Whether by documenting thoughts, voicing memory, or exploring a concept through a creative medium, what he writes in a poetic form is meant to reproduce itself.

Rina Risper is joined by Tim Lane, who is a poet and a painter. He lives in Lansing, and is an Assistant Coordinator of the East Lansing Art Festival, and the Supervisor of the East Lansing Soccer Complex. He has appeared in numerous print and online journals; his paintings have exhibited in Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, South Bend, Washington, D.C. and locally. Tim is the former Director and Curator of Scene Metrospace, and has been involved in the local poetry and art scene for the past fifteen years.

Linda Lee Tarver, community affairs director for the Michigan Department of State and Elections Integrity Liaison, works with the community statewide to provide them with a better understanding Secretary of State services, also known as the department motor vehicle. The Michigan Department of State and Elections Integrity Liaison also handle consumer protection and elections integrity.

Howard Spence, Eaton County Commissioner from Delta Township, talks about his life and the issues facing the area in the present and the future. He also speaks about how his life has impacted his career.

Rina speaks with Ernie Cabule, member of Alpha Phi Alpha, talks about Real Men Read. Real Men Read is a community service project where men read for school children.

Rina speaks with Scott Duimstra, senior associate director of the Capital Area District Libraries, about “Raising Readers Backpacks” and digital resources for those who use the internet.

Rina speaks with Sabrina Todd, customer relations coordinator of the Greater Michigan District’s United States Postal Service, talks about Forever Stamp and the postal services after the internet.