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 |  A blog for all things personal, informational, educational, and fun. |
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Here at my personal blog Thoughts & Things, I share a wide variety of, you guessed it, thoughts and things. Anything that sparks my interest is up for discussion. For those who are uncertain of what that might cover, I'll generally talk about reading, writing, books, movies, music, games, history, current events, and feminism. I talk about my personal emotional and health struggles from time to time. I'm also a big fan of lists. This is the place here at WDC where you can get to know me best, as I talk about the things that interest me, impact me, and amuse me. |
As explained in my post "A Black History Month Reading List: Introduction"  , I will be creating a number of relevant reading lists throughout Black History Month for those looking to learn, enjoy, celebrate, understand the varying facets of Black History. For my first post, I have compiled a list of twelve poetry volumes written by black poets. The poetry ranges from hundreds of years old to modern releases. I hope you find something you are able to connect with and enjoy. Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley was the first black woman in America to be a professional and published poet. This collection of 39 poems was published in 1773. For Malcolm: Poems on the Life and Death of Malcolm X edited by Dudley Randall and Margaret G. Burroughs Edited by two important black poets from the mid-twentieth century onward, For Malcolm is a poetry collection written and released following the death of Malcolm X. And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou Maya Angelou is beloved for her poetry and her autobiography series, and this collection ranks among her best and most significant work in poetry. Hard Times Require Furious Dancing by Alice Walker Best known for her novel The Color Purple, Alice Walker is also an incredible poet with a great many collections under her belt. This collection deals with a great deal of loss, and is a personal favourite. On the Bus With Rosa Parks by Rita Dove Rita Dove was the first black woman to serve as Poet Laureate in the US, as well as the youngest person to hold that position. She is a must-read poet, and this collection serves as an excellent starting point. Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day by Nikki Giovanni A significant piece of work in Nikki Giovanni's long career in poetry, this collection deals with both the personal and the political. Selected Poems by Langston Hughes Langston Hughes was considered a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, and this collection of his poems provides a great many examples of why this was so. Shake Loose My Skin by Sonia Sanchez Sonia Sanchez has been a much lauded poet, activist, and teacher for several decades. Shake Loose My Skin is a look into some of the best works in her unique style. Jimmy's Blues and Other Poems by James Baldwin James Baldwin was better known for his novels and essays than his poetry, but this posthumous collection shows off his versatility to full effect. There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce by Morgan Parker Morgan Parker published this collection, her second ever, only in 2017. Being the most recently published poet here, her style and content tends to be very modern. Supplying Salt and Light by Lorna Goodison Lorna Goodison is a Jamaican poet, whose poetry collection Supplying Salt and Light weaves culture and history into personal and emotive poems. Angle of Ascent: New and Selected Poems by Robert Hayden The first black person to hold to the role of Consultant in Poetry (Poet Laureate precursor) in the US, Robert Hayden's work was pivotal in twentieth century poetry. Angle of Ascent demonstrates his precise form and his story-telling elements. |
| February is Black History Month (BHM) here in Canada, as well in the United States. BHM is a chance for us to look back at a history that is too often neglected. We have the chance to develop a deeper understanding of the events of the past, and an appreciation for the people who have shaped our present. BHM gives us the chance to acknowledge, study, understand, and celebrate black history, and I find the best way to do all of these things is through books. Over the next several days, I intend to post a number of reading lists for BHM. I have broken this up into several posts for a number of reasons. Black History Month is meant to cover an entire history in only twenty-eight days. There is so much to study, and I think too much of it goes unnoticed. We end up seeing a lot of information shared about slavery and the civil rights movement, and even though these things are important parts of history as a whole, and black history specifically (and I do intend to include reading lists for these areas), there is so much more to be learned. There is an absolute wealth of information available to the public on so many aspects of black history, and as we are taking the month to acknowledge and learn about black history, I think it's important for us to take a look at different books available to us in this area. I have separated the lists into categories and multiple posts to make them as bite-sized as possible, as well to make them as accessible as possible for those looking for something to read. I have tried to make sure that there is a little something for everybody, so I hope that everybody who sees this finds a little something. Keep an eye here on Thoughts & Things over the next couple weeks or so as I put out categorised reading lists for Black History Month. |
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I hate sad endings. They make the best stories though. I guess I'll make reading William Shakespeare my New Year Resolution for next year or something I'd write for Dear Me 2018.