The Ohio University sophomore who dropped jaws with his powerful poetry at last month’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day brunch just received a book in the mail with his name in the author’s spot.
Derrick Holifield, a transfer student from Howard University studying English and theater, has compiled his motivational messages into Organized Mayhem, a book of poems exposing the hardships in Cleveland, his hometown.
“Growing up, I noticed that a lot of people didn’t care, but I wanted to help my city,” Holifield said. “(In the book), I put politicians on blast; I talk about single mothers who are doing good things and fathers who are not doing anything.”
The poems reflect Holifield’s personal experiences as well as politics and family matters in urban life.
“It gave me chills to read it,” said Shelby Gilgoff, an OU junior studying art and communications and the book’s illustrator. “He has so much passion, and he is really a role model in his community.”
And though it addresses social injustice, racism and the consequences of being indifferent, Holifield said he aimed for an uplifting book to inspire Cleveland youths to take a stand.
“I know that me putting this book out won’t make everyone care,” Holifield said. “But if I could just get one person to understand where I’m coming from and to get them to try to make a difference — that’s what it’s for.”
Holifield, inspired by the late poet Langston Hughes, started writing and performing poetry in seventh grade. The young performer participated in Cleveland’s annual competition, Brave New Voices, which airs on HBO every year.
“I was talkative, but I never really opened up, and I feel like I still don’t. But when I get on stage, you see everything,” Holifield said. “It allows me to express myself without having to censor anything.”
During the few months he’s been at OU, Holifield has received ample attention for his way with words. Holifield has been called a slam poet for his passion and enthusiasm on stage.
“The inflection in his voice makes you tear up, even if you’re not familiar with what he’s talking about,” Gilgoff said.
The powerful piece he presented at OU’s annual MLK brunch was a Holifield original about continuing King’s dream — a dream he thinks some have forgotten.
“When I’m performing, people can’t talk back and when they can’t talk back, they’re listening more,” Holifield said. “If I can get them to remember something I said that made a difference and if I can make someone act in a positive way that’s related to their life, then I think I did something good.”
And that’s the message in Organized Mayhem. Holifield’s book will be sold on Amazon.com and at OU for $10 starting this week.
“I’ve never seen a student come through this campus with so much talent,” said Brandi Baker, the graduate assistant for Urban Scholars at OU’s Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention and Holifield’s scholarship adviser.
“He has really ramped up the culture here at OU. I expect to see his name in lights.”
oy311909@ohiou.edu
