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In light of the protests happening in the U.S. and across the world, everyone I recommend today is a black or African-American writer. I stand with Black Lives Matter and the other protestors in their fight against racism, violence, and oppression.
May we all one day know a peaceful and just word.
I chose these specific works because of the vivid imagery in them. All of these writers excel at creating unforgettable worlds with a few carefully-chosen words.
That’s the sort of writing that grabs my attention immediately and makes me want to read everything else that author or poet has ever written.
Poems
I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes
Mortality by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou
The Blue Dress by Saeed Jones
A Poem for Ella Fitzgerald by Sonia Sanchez
Short Stories
Everyday Use by Alice Walker
Africanfuturist 419 by Nnedi Okorafor
The Devil in America by Kai Ashante Wilson
The Space Traders by Derrick Bell
The City Born Great by N.K. Jemisin
Good choices, thanks for sharing! I’m about 50/50 on the ones I’ve heard of.
Thank you!
Some very good choices… thanks. My post is here: https://jhthomas.blogspot.com/2020/06/wednesday-weekly-blogging-challenge_10.html
Thanks!
I have always loved Langston Hughes.
The Space Traders was made as part of an anthology show sometime in the ’80’s I believe.
He had such a way with words! And I didn’t know The Space Traders was made into a show/episode. Cool!
I need to brush up on my poetry. I’ve only read about half!
Hope you like them!
Great choices. I picked mine with the recent events in my mind, too. 🙂
That’s awesome. 🙂 And thanks.
You’ve got some really interesting choices there – I don’t know half as many as I should!
Thank you!
Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou are some of my favorites. Great choices.
Thank you very much!
Good Choices. Not familiar with all of them, but Langston Hughes and Maya ANgelou are ones I like. Thanks for sharing. Here’s mine. https://www.tenastetler.com/favorite-poems-short-stories-or-novellas-lsrs-wednesdays-blog-challenge/
I’m glad you liked it. You’re welcome.
I’ve taught and enjoyed many a Langston Hughes poem. Thanks for coming by.
That’s awesome!
Awesome list! It’s so hard to understand why we can’t treat every human being with respect, kindness, and dignity. I hope the protests bring about real and permanent change ♡
I totally hear you there. And thanks.
Nice selection! I really enjoy N. K. Jemisin, will have to look for that short story.
Thank you. I think you’d love that short story given the fact that you like N.K. Jemisin in general.
Wonderful list and I applaud your support in ending systemic racism against our black brothers and sisters. Maya Angelou gives me chills. Anytime I see one of her spoken word recordings she takes me on an emotional journey. She’s one of my heroes.
I chose a poem this week: https://thereikicafe.com/2020/06/10/favorite-poem-wednesday-weekly-blogging-challenge/
Thank you very much! And, yeah, Ms. Angelou was an amazing speaker.
That’s quite a list, and I appreciate your choice of themes. Thanks for dropping by earlier!
You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it.
A wonderful list, thanks. I’ll definitely chase up the NK Jemisin. I keep hearing amazing things about her work and been wanting to read some for ages.
You’re welcome. And, yeah, she’s amazing.
I don’t know very much about poetry. But Everyday Use by Alice Walker sounds interesting!
It’s an amazing story.
I’ll have to give these a try – quite a few I don’t know here.
I hope you like them.
I know most of the poets, but I’ll have to check out the stories! The only one I’ve read is N.K. Jemisin’s. Thanks for the list!
You’re welcome. Enjoy.