Poetry Written By Black Poets and Their Experiences
Yesterday, October 17th, marked Black Poetry Day. But, do not fret if you didn’t know this! In today’s blog, we touch upon the significance of this day. Plus, highlight some Black poets you can start reading.
What is Black Poetry Day?
Aside from marking a day to celebrate Black Poets, October 17th also celebrates the birthday of Jupiter Hammon. Born in 1711, he became the first published Black poet in the United States. Thus, pioneering the shift in issuing non-white voices and experiences.
Born into slavery, Hammon received an education, learned to read, and was allowed the us of the manor library. He went on to be the father of African American Literature. Starting in 1985, poetry fans and critics alike began using his birthday to celebrate him and another Black poets.
Some Black Poets You Should Know
Check out the non-exhaustive list of Black poets and the poetry they penned!
Jupiter Hammon
The facts about Hammon’s life are limited or non-existent beyond what we mentioned earlier. He took advantage of his literally skills by exhibiting a level of intellectual awareness through literature. By creating rich and layered metaphors and symbols, he gave himself a safe means to express his feelings of slavery.
Check out his poem: An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries
Audre Lorde
Born in 1934, Lorde described herself as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet who dedicated both her life and creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia”. Her poetry is best known for its technical mastery, emotional expression, and capturing of the anger and outrage at civil and social injustices, As a spoken word artist, her delivery was powerful, melodic, and intense.
Check out her poem: Power
Maya Angelou
A memories and civil rights activist, born in 1928, Angelou became a poet after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. Her works are a defence of Black culture. Angelou published seven autobiographies, three books of essay, and several books of poetry. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
Check out her poem: On the Pulse of Morning
James Baldwin
Also born in the 1920s, James Baldwin explored the intricacies of racial and class distinctions of Western society at the time. A novelist as well, many of his works found themselves adapted and expanded for the silver screen. Themes of masculinity, sexuality, race and class intertwine to create narratives running parallel to the political movement of the mid-twentieth century.
Check out his poem: Amen
Nikki Giovanni
One of the world’s most well-known African-American poets, Giovanni gained initial notice as one of the foremost authors of the Black Arts Movement. Influenced by the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement, her early work provided a strong, militant African-American perspective. Her poetry is described as: “politically, spiritually, and socially aware”.
Check out her poem: Nikki-Rosa
Langston Hughes
Born at the turn of the 20th century, Hughes was one of the earliest innovators of “jazz poetry”; these are poems that demonstrate jazz-like rhythms or the feel of improvisation. Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He sought to represent the real lives of black people in the lower social-economic strata.
Check out his poem: Harlem
Amanda Gorman
The first National Youth Poet Laureate, Gorman graced our screens at the Inauguration of Joe Biden earlier this year. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, marginalisation, and the African diaspora. She cites other extraordinary Black female writers, such as Maya Angelou and Audre Lorde, as her inspirations.
Check out her poem: The Hill We Climb
Danez Smith
Another young poet, Danez explores their identity as a queer, non-binary, Black person. Additionally, they perform Slam Poetry: earning many titles and honours throughout their career. They are inspired by the way their family members and friends told their stories.
Check out their poem: summer, somewhere
About the Author
