Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Wizard of Oz redux— …and some casting questions…
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
24 Aug 2022
🖨️ Print Article
Wizard of Oz redux—  …and some casting questions…

                                                                                                                     Wizard of Oz redux—

                                                                                                            …and some casting questions…

Suppose Hollywood hits you up
‘bout this big budget redo of
The Wizard of Oz? What if they
say it’s all your call…’cept this?

They say you must shoot in Uvalde
using locals. No big name stars. Do you say
“OK” when they say, “And you must cast the
Cops?” Or, do you ask—“What as?”

Angry Apple Tree? Crows in the Corn
Field? Ozmites? Tin Polishers? Horse
of Another Color? Almira Gulch’s bi
cycle?

Lullaby League? Lollipop Guild? Scare
crow? Sleepyheads? Munchkin Fiddlers?
Munchkin Soldiers? Munchkin Barristers?
Munchkin Mayor? Munchkin Coroner?

Hunk? Uncle Henry? Hickory? Toto?
Dorthy Gale? Aunt Em? Almira Gulch?
Professor Marvel? Tin Man? Glinda?
Wizard? Wicked Witch? Ruby Slippers?

Winged Monkeys instructed: “Take your Army
to the Haunted Forest and bring me those boys
and girls! Do what you want with the others—
They'll give you no trouble I promise you that?”

Winkies chanting, “O-Ee-Yah! Eoh-Ah!” into
radios in the school hallway? Hearing, “Poppies,
poppies, poppies” instead of some shooter’s
Pop-pop-pop-pops for some 70 minutes?

Are we leaving any characters out?

© 2022. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.

Raymond Nat Turner is a NYC poet; BAR's Poet-in-Residence; and founder/co-leader of the jazz-poetry ensemble UpSurge!NYC. You can Vote for his work at: GoFundMe and PayPal.

Uvalde

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Honor Fallen Black Freedom Fighters: Two Letters on Black August, 1979
    Black Agenda Review
    Honor Fallen Black Freedom Fighters: Two Letters on Black August, 1979
    04 Aug 2021
    DOCUMENTS: Honor Fallen Black Freedom Fighters: Two Letters on Black August, 1979
  • “Greetings! Power to the People!”  In the Words of Glen Ford
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    “Greetings! Power to the People!” In the Words of Glen Ford
    04 Aug 2021
    The struggle for his life didn't dissuade Glen Ford from struggling with and for others.
  • Ajamu Baraka, BAR editor
    Glen Ford and the Black Radical Critical Tradition
    04 Aug 2021
    Glen Ford carried on his devotion to the liberation struggle until the end of his life.
  • Glen Ford: Revolutionary, Friend, Leader, Lover of Black People
    Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, BAR editor and columnist
    Glen Ford: Revolutionary, Friend, Leader, Lover of Black People
    04 Aug 2021
    The brilliant writer was also a dear friend and mentor.
  • Glen Ford: In Memoriam
    Peter James Hudson and Jemima Pierre
    Glen Ford: In Memoriam
    04 Aug 2021
    Glen Ford's persona and dedication inspired analysis and created many friendships.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us