Our staff is working morning, noon, and night to make your contributions count. This month, as we commemorate black history in the U.S., Danez Smith’s work offers the possibility of embodied understanding through the power of imagination. There are things that some people wouldn’t know about nor understand because they are not in that situation. I thought that was pretty creative because another planet typically is not the first place we think to run away to.That tells me how strongly he feels about America’s racial issues and how far he is willing to go for peace. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. because Emmett whistled. Thank you! Must-Read Poems: "New South," "Ghosts," and "Prospera". Another pun was used when he said “Because there is no Amber Alert for the Amber Skinned Girls.” This line points out the fact that missing black girls (and black kids in general) never seem to get the same urgent response white kids get when they are lost and in danger. Join The Seattle Public Library for online events in October, including Tommy Orange on 10/17. i want the fate of Lazarus for Renisha, want Chucky, Bo, Meech, Trayvon, Sean & Jonylah risen three days after their entombing, their ghost re-gifted flesh & blood, their flesh & blood re-gifted their children. [POEM] “dear white america” by Danez Smith. we did not build your boats (though we did leave a trail of kin to guide us home). because black boys can always be too loud to live. Tyehimba Jess's Pulitzer Prize-winning Olio is a genre-defining poetry collection that blends sonnets with songs and narratives to delve into the lives of African-American artists during the period between the Civil War and World War I. Jess explores the history behind one of America's most beloved music genres and challenges contemporary notions of race and identity in the process. you took one look at the river, plump with the body of boy after girl after sweet boi & ask why does it always have to be about race? And still we have large numbers of thinking people responding to racist violence in this way? take your God back. because you put an asterisk on my sister’s gorgeous face! Please consider supporting local, independent, progressive media with a one-time or recurring contribution. | Our Demands. Pretending racism isn’t real or isn’t “your problem” is just as offensive to the author as blatant racism. It points out that even well-meaning white people contribute to the system of white privilege by not acknowledging the reality of racism. The ideas presented by Danze Smith could not be any more truthful, as blacks have had the unfortunate history of being the focus of society’s scapegoat in the US. This is a super relevant and important topic. Make an Impact with the University of Washington’s Online Master of Public Health, "how much time do you want for your progress?". Wow.
America has been dealing with this issue for so long, it seems like every generation has had some experience with it. It almost comes off as exhausted resigned frustration. ( Log Out / we did not ask to be part of your America (though are we not America? The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Some people won’t understand the mean of it. His visceral lines are sure to stay with you long after you've finished reading them. i’ve left Earth & i am touching everything you beg your telescopes to show you. Watch Smith perform “Dear White America” above, or read the poem below. Another phrase Smith used repeatedly was “we did not.” Smith uses this phrase to stress the fact that Africans did not ask to be brought to America to begin with and didn’t ask to experience the series of unfortunate and unfair events that followed.
your master magic trick, America. In his poem, he frequently uses the phrase “I have left Earth.” For example, he says “I have left Earth in search of a new God” and “I have left Earth, to find a land where my kin can be safe.” The continued use of this phrase really helps make his point: he is officially done dealing with ignorant white people and their unhidden desire to annihilate the black race. This poem speaks on the degradation, grief, and injustice blacks face every day in this country. His visceral lines are sure to stay with you long after you've finished reading them. I think the repetition provided it’s purpose because the author repeated things that, some may say, is controversial. I really enjoyed this poem; it had a very powerful message. Ranging from sonnets that explore the history of American blues to incantations that will challenge your views on American womanhood, here are 21 poems to read for Black History Month and beyond. Danez Smith – “Dear White America” (250K Views!) take your God back.
America has been dealing with this issue for so long, it seems like every generation has had some experience with it. It almost comes off as exhausted resigned frustration. ( Log Out / we did not ask to be part of your America (though are we not America? The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Some people won’t understand the mean of it. His visceral lines are sure to stay with you long after you've finished reading them. i’ve left Earth & i am touching everything you beg your telescopes to show you. Watch Smith perform “Dear White America” above, or read the poem below. Another phrase Smith used repeatedly was “we did not.” Smith uses this phrase to stress the fact that Africans did not ask to be brought to America to begin with and didn’t ask to experience the series of unfortunate and unfair events that followed.
your master magic trick, America. In his poem, he frequently uses the phrase “I have left Earth.” For example, he says “I have left Earth in search of a new God” and “I have left Earth, to find a land where my kin can be safe.” The continued use of this phrase really helps make his point: he is officially done dealing with ignorant white people and their unhidden desire to annihilate the black race. This poem speaks on the degradation, grief, and injustice blacks face every day in this country. His visceral lines are sure to stay with you long after you've finished reading them. I think the repetition provided it’s purpose because the author repeated things that, some may say, is controversial. I really enjoyed this poem; it had a very powerful message. Ranging from sonnets that explore the history of American blues to incantations that will challenge your views on American womanhood, here are 21 poems to read for Black History Month and beyond. Danez Smith – “Dear White America” (250K Views!) take your God back.