On October 17, 2020, we celebrate Black Poetry Day in honor of Jupiter Hammon, who is believed to be the first African American to publish poetry in the United States. He was born into slavery in Long Island, New York on October 17, 1711.
His poem An Evening Thought was first published on Christmas Day at the age of 49. Jupiter Hammon is considered one of the founders of African-American literature, though he was never emancipated and his first published poem listed the name of his master at that time. In honor of his birth, we celebrate the contributions of all African Americans to the world of poetry. Some of the most notable are Langston Hughes, Phyllis Wheatley, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Maya Angelou.
It’s no surprise that many of the early poems by African Americans spoke of overcoming struggles and hardship, often with encouragement and a look to a brighter future.
Here are a couple of CT3’s team’s favorites (by no means a comprehensive list; merely personal favorites from a few):
Nataki Gregory, CEO
The first, sorrow song, I read for the first time before I decided to move into education (for reasons she outlines in her poem). The second, why some people be mad at me sometimes, is a constant reminder of why I stay in the field.
sorrow song
for the eyes of the children,
the last to melt,
the last to vaporize,
for the lingering
eyes of the children of
buchenwald,
Of viet nam and Johannesburg,
for the eyes of the children
of nagasaki,
for the eyes of the children
of middle passage,
for cherokee eyes, ethiopian eyes,
for all that remains of the children,
their eyes,
staring at us, amazed to see
the extraordinary evil in
ordinary men.
why some people be mad at me sometimes
they ask me to remember
but they want me to remember
their memories
and I keep on remembering
mine.
John Maynes, data specialist
The poem I want to share is titled This is for You by Arielle Estoria. It is a spoken word poem, so rather than transcribing it I thought I would share a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0F3Pe6KTJ4
This poem is really an affirmation for me. It helps me focus on my purpose and find healing to pursue it. One line that has been resonating with me recently is meant for teachers striving to fight oppression. Racist policies have been established as barriers on the path to equity. “You tell them instead, ‘Stop giving directions to places you’ve never been!’” The path to equity is not well-paved and white supremacy cannot lead us there.
Leah Pearson, associate
I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings —
I know why the caged bird sings!
Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) was the son of African parents who had been slaves prior to the American Civil War. He was a poet, a novelist and a playwright and died at the young age of 33. I like his poem, “Sympathy”, because it is a reminder of why it is essential to examine what is below the surface. This poem is not simply about a bird in a cage, but about the oppression of the enslaved. It is extremely relevant today given the ongoing oppression of the descendants of enslaved, and the oppression of so many other groups of people, animals and natural resources across the globe. For me, the poem points the reader to the truth of an oppressed experience by taking the idea of oppression slightly out of context (focusing on the bird). The metaphor mysteriously makes the poem feel urgent and undeniable- the bird is suffering; the joyful singing is a lie.
The poem is a concise and potent form of truth telling because it pushes the reader to think about oppression in a simple and different way. I believe truth telling leads to empathy, which leads to healing. I believe healing is the key not only to being antiracist, but to the sustainability of the human race and this planet. For me this poem strikes a chord of empathy (rather than sympathy as it is entitled), because it urgently forces me to put myself in the bird (oppressed person’s)-shoes, and motivates in me a desire to break down the cage and make my life a giving to happiness and freedom for all, not just for some.
Kristyn Klei Borrero, co-founder
— Maya Angelou
At my first turn around school, we did monthly affirmations. Our first was this poem. Every student in the school would memorize our monthly affirmations and we would chant together. The president of our parent group chose Still I Rise and it has remained on of my favorites… although Bell Hooks has some very close seconds!
Please share your favorite Black poet’s poem in the comments below.
Check out CT3 Education programs such as No-Nonsense Nurturer, Real Time Teacher Coaching, and Real Time Leadership Coaching to find out more about Professional Development for Teachers and Leaders, classroom management strategies, and building relationships with students and their families, and properly addressing important issues in the classroom and school.
Category: Culture, Education
