152 Search results for "poem"

Why Poetry? Ten Poets and Poems To Read As We Close Out Black History Month.
by Jari Bradley During the peak of the pandemic in 2020, there were numerous online poetry readings being held for the public to attend. I was just finishing my Master of Fine Arts program after three years on the East Coast, and with all the calamity that the world felt comprised of at that time, […]
The Nation magazine issues apology after backlash for publishing offensive poem from a white guy
Following reader backlash and protest, the Nation magazine has issued an apology for printing a poem by NEA Fellow Anders Carlson-Wee entitled “How-To”. The editors of the Nation’s poetry section, Stephanie Burt and Carmen Gimenez Smith, said they initially believed the poem was a “profane, over-the-top attack on the ways in which members of many […]
This Poet’s Tearful ‘I’m Sorry’ Poem Shows Our Continuing Failure To Address Rape
“This apology is a symptom of a social disease seen from football rosters in Ohio to busses in New Delhi. With outbreaks of slut shaming and victim blaming mentalities and no cure in sight under this current system of patriarchy.” As a survivor, this video was difficult to watch. I imagine it would be hard for […]
This Powerful Poem Tells The Story of Black Boys Who ‘Die Easy’
The prevalence of violence against young Black people has become a constant phenomenon in American life. While Black folx of all genders face unique struggles with anti-Blackness, police surveillance, and state-sanctioned murder, young Black men are often featured in mainstream media most prominently as victims of these systems and processes of oppression. This poem from Akeem […]
This Poem Explains Why You Need To ‘Hide Your Shea Butter’ From White People
This might be the most lit account of cultural appropriation ever. In the video below, poets Crystal Valentine and Aaliyah Jihad serve all the realness with “Hide Your Shea Butter,” a piece about the ways that white people continue to steal Blackness and Black Culture for their own ends.
Read Alice Walker’s Powerful Poem Inspired By Jesse Williams’ BET Awards Speech
Activists, viewers, and commentators around the country have been talking about Jesse Williams’ iconic speech he gave at the BET Awards this past Sunday. Williams was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award and spoke candidly about his passion around the preservation of Black lives. Even folks like the acclaimed poet Alice Walker were taken with […]
Harvard Graduate Gives Powerful Spoken Word Poem at Graduation
Donovan Livingston, Ed. M. ’16, performed a spoken word piece at the Harvard School of Education graduation ceremony this week that is absolutely riveting. In it, he addresses this country’s very ugly past and present with institutional racism and what it means to be a Black person in education at this moment of history.
Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib Delivers Touching Poem On Black Death
Writer, poet and cultural critic critic Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib’s debut book The Crown Aint Worth Much will officially be released on July 19th. Whether it be from any of the many worlds he plays a role in, many people are familiar with Willis-Abdurraqib’s work.
Student Denied Admittance To Prom For Her “Dear Black Girls” Poem
The treatment of black women has always been disheartening, to say the least. But for the past few years, watching them lift themselves and each other up through various means has been inspiring and welcomed by many. But, it appears that these efforts to introduce self-love are only accepted by the masses until they threaten […]
These Four Poems About Black Hair, Resistance, and Love Will Brighten Your Day
Lamont Lilly is a writer, activist, and father whose work echoes the struggles for justice and ambitions of our generation. These four poems push us to think differently about blackness in the contemporary moment. From the author: “Each piece is a reflection of the people, places and experiences of struggle that have shaped who I […]
This South African Poet Wrote a Powerful Poem on Transgender Identity
Lee Mokobe, a nineteen year-old Cape Town, South Africa native, performed this powerful poem about his transgender identity at TedWomen. Watch the video below.
Feature: ‘Sophia Tears’ a poem in memory of Sophia Brown
This poem was originally featured on For Harriet. It was written by Candice Bledsoe in memory of slain black youth Sophia Brown. To read Brown’s story, click here.