Dear Henry,
You are everything I want to be: artist, writer, musician, political pundit, pop culture critic, activist, movie star and hardcore motherf---er. I went to see you speak last night at the Lincoln Theatre.
Although I heard some of your material last March when you spoke in LA, your words remain fresh, inspiring, humorous and caustic. Why, you ask? It is not what you say, even though political and personal content of your serio-comic rant is substantial, intelligent and insightful, but how you say it. You see, last Monday Talib Kweli spoke at Duke. His reputation as a "conscious MC" preceded him, but his irresponsible use of our time abused our respect and insulted our intelligence. But you, Hank, deliver.
Your infectious charisma, ferocity and integrity, although slightly abated by some self-effacing jokes, keep your audiences literally standing at attention for TWO AND A HALF HOURS! From your criticism of the Bush administration, to your love letter to Ann Coulter, to your USO performance in Afghanistan and to your jam session with William Shatner, you know and believe in everything you say.
In 9th grade, I used to find the most public places in my high school and read aloud from your book, High Adventure in the Great Outdoors, just to freak people out. Then, I only knew you as a poet haunted by the murder of his best friend and as the totally jacked singer for the Rollins Band, whose song "Liar" enjoyed some MTV airtime. But as I've discovered since, one can learn a lot from your words and actions. You, big man, have truly lived.
Mr. Rollins, the greater Duke community needs to know your story. They need to know that you were a teenager who took hold of his destiny the night he jumped onstage as a fan at a Black Flag show and stepped offstage their new singer, thus launching his career as a relentlessly articulate hardcore icon. They need to know what you've seen and done in the twenty-five years since--the books, poetry, memoirs and albums you've created and the concerts you've performed. But most of all, they need to hear your voice, connect with your eyes and witness your intensity to understand what living is really about. You are the real deal, Rollins. Thanks for a killer show.
Rock,
Mike
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