1 half Ethiopian Copt Tesfaye Negussie, 1 half Egyptian Copt Evangeline El Fayed, we have come together through our love of poetry, story telling, and truth. Fortunate to have had access to education, as well as a global perspective, we both realized that as oppressed peoples everywhere are taught to focus on what separates them, we have learned that true strength comes in discovering what connects us.
As spoken word artists, writers, and filmmakers, we formed United Nile to represent who we are, and to also represent our embracing of all peoples. Our poetry focuses on our culture, love, race relations, socio-economic issues, and self-education. We hope to continue to work diligently to educate on unity among brown and black peoples, as well as instill self love and education within the younger generation through poetic and musical expression as well as film and documentary series.
As United Nile we are committed to establishing positive outlets of creative expression within not only our Coptic and African communities, but also in collaboration with the Latino, Arabic, and African American communities. United Nile believes that we have been conditioned to focus on what separates us, instead of building on what makes us similar. The existence of positive, well planned, events and activities that are partnered with community service and outreach is a great social need. United Nile believes that in these difficult times, the cultivation of community, education, and hope should be at the forefront of entertainment. United Nile believes that there is a way to interweave these themes into the simplest of events. Through building and networking with people from all walks of life, sharing the common thread of cultural pride and dedication to social justice, United Nile will work diligently to become a voice of unity and social awareness within our community.
Welcome to The United Nile Blog, we thank you for embarking on this journey with us.
Bless.
Zulu Proverb: "A word uttered cannot be taken back"
and so I say "Freedom!"
-Matthew Shenoda, Coptic Poet
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