I was wondering if I could shape this passion, just as I wanted in solid fire. I was wondering if the strange combustion of my days, the tension of the world inside me, and the strength of my heart were enough.
- Martin Carter (from Poems of Shape and Motion)
Weaving words into a beautiful mosaic of music and insight, Taij Kumarie Moteelall is an Indo-Caribbean artist/activist who has been writing for over 15 years and performing spoken-word poetry nationally and internationally for 8 years.
Taij’s poetry honors her history and heritage, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of her South Asian ancestors who were brought as Indentured Laborers to work on British-owned sugar plantations after the abolition of African slavery in Guyana. Through the written and spoken word she also applies a critical eye to human rights violations across the world as she lyrically calls for social justice. Taij passionately believes that social justice can be achieved through the reclamation of voice and self-determination of the people most impacted by dehumanization and marginalization. Her art is a vehicle of change, personally and politically, which relies on building community locally, nationally and globally.
She is co-founder of Blackout Arts Collective, a national arts organization that uses the tools of culture and education to raise awareness and catalyze action around the critical issues that impact communities of color. Taij is committed to social justice and movement building, and currently serves as the Executive Director of Resource Generation. She is also actively involved with the Rajkumari Center for Indo-Caribbean Arts and Culture.
Taij is currently working on her first book of poetry (Breathe Me In) and her first CD (Warrior Woman). She is also working on her first novel. She’d like to connect and build with fellow artists and activists.