Rise Up!


Book Description

RISE UP! is a poetry collection that braids the voice of the past, the poems of a grandfather born to slave parents, and poems of the present, those of his granddaughter. Juxtaposed are two hearts linked not only by love, but also by the travesties of racism and slavery and the devastation and waste of war. Although generations apart, they navigate as one the injustices of mankind with hope, grace, and peace, their poems forming an uplifting chorus that decries evil while magnifying divine love as displayed in the beauty of Creation. Each poem reflects the rich legacy of this African American family, and how their writing creates a connection to one another and future generationsNC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green writes: "These poems are emblematic of the reality that many things that cause strife and sorrow are also the things that cause an uprising in the spirit. The pages of RISE UP! Poems of Protest, Poems of Praise is a metaphorical offering of a wellspring of solidarity that our world needs. These pages help us drink fully of the possibilities of laughter knowing that weeping dehydrates the body; reminding us that we are the water bearers of hope."




Resistencia: Poems of Protest and Revolution


Book Description

“To read these poems is to be reminded again and again of our true allegiance to each other.” —from the introduction by Julia Alvarez With a powerful and poignant introduction from Julia Alvarez, Resistencia: Poems of Protest and Revolution is an extraordinary collection, rooted in a strong tradition of protest poetry and voiced by icons of the movement and some of the most exciting writers today. The poets of Resistencia explore feminist, queer, Indigenous, and ecological themes alongside historically prominent protests against imperialism, dictatorships, and economic inequality. Within this momentous collection, poets representing every Latin American country grapple with identity, place, and belonging, resisting easy definitions to render a nuanced and complex portrait of language in rebellion. Included in English translation alongside their original language, the fifty-four poems in Resistencia are a testament to the art of translation as much as the act of resistance. An all-star team of translators, including former US Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera along with young, emerging talent, have made many of the poems available for the first time to an English-speaking audience. Urgent, timely, and absolutely essential, these poems inspire us all to embrace our most fearless selves and unite against all forms of tyranny and oppression.




On Praise and Protest


Book Description

On Praise and Protest is a collection of poems that highlights stories and perspectives not often heard. It celebrates their beauty and simultaneously challenges their marginalisation. Their praise is protest and their protest is praise! An uplifting and provocative read. About the author: Tanya Chitunhu is a spoken word poet born and raised in Zimbabwe.Her work is the product of a diverse range of influences, from African story telling traditions to Christian preaching; from hip hop to spoken word. She has been writing and performing since her late teens and has graced various stages including the Bloom Arts festival in London, Birmingham's Midlands Arts Centre and has been published in the Voice Newspaper and the Sandwell Chronicle. Her work connects with all audiences through passionate words and a powerful delivery.




Of Praise and Protest


Book Description







Protest & Praise


Book Description

Here is a skillful tracing of two tracks in the evolution of musical genres that have evolved from black religion. Songs of protest developed from the spiritual through social-gospel hymnody to culminate in songs of the civil-rights movement and the blues. Born in rebellion, they envision the Kingdom of God.Songs of praise, by contrast, express adoration. Beginning with the "ring-shout," Spencer follows the history of intoned declamation through the tongue song, Holiness-Pentecostal music, and the chanted sermon of the black preacher. Spencer's approach, termed theomusicology, unlocks the wealth of African-American sacred music with a theological key. The result is a fascinating account of a people's struggle with God in history.




For Them I Cried


Book Description

Cesar A. Cruz's belief that "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." is aptly demonstrated in For Them I Cried. This distinctive work is an emotionally stirring creation of poetry and prose. It is a must-read for anyone who has experienced or has walked alongside someone else who has experienced great hurt, grief, anger, oppression, frustration, empathy, or great joy. Before opening the book, readers between the ages of 13 to 103 should brace themselves for a journey of cathartic impact!







Of Poetry and Protest: From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin


Book Description

This stunning work illuminates today’s black experience through the voices of our most transformative and powerful African American poets. Included in this extraordinary volume are the poems of 43 of America’s most talented African American wordsmiths, including Pulitzer Prize–winning poets Rita Dove, Natasha Tretheway, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Tracy K. Smith, as well as the work of other luminaries such as Elizabeth Alexander, Ishmael Reed, and Sonia Sanchez. Included are poems such as “No Wound of Exit” by Patricia Smith, “We Are Not Responsible” by Harryette Mullen, and “Poem for My Father” by Quincy Troupe. Each is accompanied by a photograph of the poet along with a first-person biography. The anthology also contains personal essays on race such as “The Talk” by Jeannine Amber and works by Harry Belafonte, Amiri Baraka, and The Reverend Dr. William Barber II, architect of the Moral Mondays movement, as well as images and iconic political posters of the Black Lives Matter movement, Malcolm X, and the Black Panther Party. Taken together, Of Poetry and Protest gives voice to the current conversation about race in America while also providing historical and cultural context. It serves as an excellent introduction to African American poetry and is a must-have for every reader committed to social justice and racial harmony.