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damali ayo uses art, wit and satire to generate dialogue to draw us together as a global community. Her best-selling book How to Rent a Negro is a satirical guidebook that explores the commodification of race relations in our culture. damali's newest book (2010) Obamistan! Land without Racism has been described as "laying bare the fact that we are not in a postracial world just yet with great warmth, sincerity, sophistication about the experiences of different groups and a sense of hope and optimism -- something that sometimes feels completely missing among progressives these days." damali's passion for smart comedy takes center stage in her presentations, lectures and even in her teaching style. Influenced by comedy greats such as Dick Gregory, Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, and even a little Eddie Murphy, damali makes the hard issues easier through her signature style that leaves audiences with their attention heightened, hearts open, and minds awake. In response to a request from her audience, damali created a free practical guide of ten steps to improving race relations titled I Can Fix It! This guide gives ten simple solutions to address our current "third grade level of race relations." The guide has been used in communities across the United States and across the world. damali brings the I Can Fix It! guide to life in her stage shows where she uses humor, stories, and slides to inspire people. Presented simply and directly, ayo’s approach to race relations is unforgettable. She makes people pay attention to what is going on inside and around them and to take responsibility for changing it. And damali has plenty of first-hand experience doing just that- she started at a young age by integrating her school's doll collection with Black Raggedy Ann and Andy. In this spirit, damali invites everyday people to participate in her "Living Flag" performance each year on the "National Day of Panhandling for Reparations." So far over 100 performers in 30 states and 3 countries have been involved. damali ayo names her particular approach to art "Now Art." She describes Now Art as being immediate, participatory, and engaging social issues. Ayo believes that "art should make you think and feel." She eschews art that is primarily for decoration. She believes that artists and comedians have a special task to push our culture to understand itself in order to change itself. To download the I Can Fix It! guide, please visit fixracism.com.
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