February is black history month, and that means we’re putting some extra focus on some of the major historical contributions black Americans have accomplished.
Every February, people in Canada are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honor the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. The 2021 theme for Black History Month is: "The Future is Now".“The Future is Now” is a chance to celebrate and acknowledge the transformative work that Black Canadians and their communities are doing now.
To celebrate that, we’ve made a list of 7 powerful poems to enjoy—for black history month and beyond.
“IN MEMORIAM: MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR”
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great orator, activist, and one of—if not the—most visible spokesperson and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He envisioned a world in which people were not judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character. In honor of his birthday, and of all that he’s done for our country, we’ve made a list of six poems in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And if you want to go deeper, you can listen to his entire “I Have a Dream” speech on NPR.
“IN MEMORIAM: MALCOLM X”
Malcolm X was an African American leader in the civil rights movement, minister, and supporter of Black nationalism. He urged his fellow Black Americans to protect themselves against white aggression “by any means necessary,” a stance that often put him at odds with the nonviolent teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Amanda Gorman
Poet activist-Amanda S. C. Gorman (born 1998) is an American poet and activist. The youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history read “The Hill We Climb,” which she finished after the riot at the Capitol. “I’m not going to in any way gloss over what we’ve seen,” she says
Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Gorman was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate.
“PRAISE SONG FOR THE DAY” BY ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
We’ll kick things off with one of the most distinguished poets of our time—Elizabeth Alexander. Her poem “Praise Song for the Day” was composed and read for Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. The poem paints a picture of everyday life in America, pointing out the many who have struggled and died for this day. “Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day,” she writes.
“HEARTBEATS” BY MELVIN DIXON
Melvin Dixon was one of the first poets to explore the complexities of blackness and queerness. “As white gays deny multiculturalism among gays, so too do black communities deny multisexualism among their members. Against this double cremation, we must leave the legacy of our writing and our perspectives on gay and straight experiences,” he said at the Third National Lesbian and Gay Writers Conference. His poem “Heartbeats,” mimics the rhythm of a heartbeat while it provides intimate flashes of his struggles.
“CANARY” BY RITA DOVE
Known for her ability to mix elegant lyricism with political scope, Rita Dove's impact on American poetry is immeasurable. In addition to being the youngest-ever US Poet Laureate, she’s a Pulitzer-Prize winner, recipient of a National Humanities Medal, and more. Her poem, “Canary” likens singer Billie Holiday to a caged bird. “Fact is, the invention of women under siege / has been to sharpen the love in the service of myth,” writes Dove. “If you can’t be free, be a mystery.”
“A BRIEF HISTORY OF HOSTILITY” BY JAMAAL MAY
Detroit-based poet Jammal May crafts a powerful breakdown of oppression in this poem. “A Brief History of Hostility” is a five-part poem that takes on themes of life, fire, death, and the reach for peace through raging repetition and calculated rhythms. “The war said let there be war / and there was war. / The war said let there be peace / and there was war,” writes May.
“HISTORY AS PROCESS” BY AMIRI BARAKA
Perhaps one of the most subversive poets in American history, Amiri Bakara is well known for his provocative poetry style. Highly regarded as a cultural and political leader in the Black Arts Movement, Baraka’s work has defined and supported black literature at the turn of the century and inspired countless young writers. “History as Process” takes a philosophical look at humanity, suffering, and what it means to be real.
“MIZ ROSA RIDES THE BUS” BY ANGELA JACKSON
Pushcart Prize-winning poet Angela Jackson brings historical context to her powerful, conversational free-verse poems. In “Miz Rosa Rides the Bus,” Jackson imagines Rosa Parks’ point of view. “My feet were tired. My eyes were / sore. My heart was raw from hemming / the dirty edges of Miss L. Muffet’s garment. / I rode again,” she writes. This first-person retelling of Parks’ act of resistance brings the reader on-board as the story unfolds.
“AFTERIMAGES” BY AUDRE LORDE
A poet, writer, and pioneer of intersectional feminism, Audre Lorde is well known for taking on issues related to civil rights, lesbianism, ability, and the black female identity. Lorde’s work has shaped much of the conversation around contemporary feminist thought. Her poem, “Afterimages,” provides a bone-chilling account of the stark, violent, heartbreaking images that the speaker cannot keep out of their mind—images that center on the death of Emmett Till and the agony of his mother.
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