Black History Month comes around every February and serves as a time of reflection and acknowledgment of key figures in black history that helped shape the America we know and love (or hate) today. One of my favorite ways to look back on the history of my ancestors is through poetry because it conjures up those complex emotions of pride, happiness, anger and sorrow. I think these are such important emotions to take, manipulate and implement into creating the future.
The past couple years have shown us that while we have come quite a long way, there are still many more miles to march. Recently, it seems the times of Trayvon Martin could easily blend in with the times of Emmett Till. That is why I find it so important to reflect on our history; our accomplishments and downfalls, as well as the good and the bad in hopes that we learn a little more about ourselves and our surroundings.
Below are a few spoken word pieces that portray the history and emotions of black people in the United States in the 1840s or 2000s:
Javon Johnson: Cuz He’s Black
Favorite Line: We both know it’s not about whether or not the shooter is racist. It’s about how poor black boys are treated as problems well before we’re treated as people. Black boys in this country can’t afford to play cops and robbers if we’re always considered the latter.
Jamila Lyiscott: 3 Ways to Speak English
Favorite Line: I know that I had to borrow your language because mines was stolen. But you can’t expect me to speak your history wholly while mines is broken. These words are spoken by someone who’s upset with eurocentric ideals of the season.
Thomas Hill: Unknown
Favorite Line: There are cold colored kids with peach palms praying to a mute God, now they’ve finally got their daddies to look up to.
Dominique Christina: For Emmett Till
Favorite Line: My arms are never gonna be wide enough to cover sins like these. That your head held so high is still a cautionary tale, but go on and do it anyway son! Go on and do it anyway! And laugh and dance and clap.
