Olka Baldeh dedicated this poem to Orange Face. She’s calling her series of poems “Love Letters to Donald Trump”. Continue reading
Category Archives: Racism
Poetry / Poverty / Racism / World speaking out / Writing
Writing: For Love or Money? by Roberta Sykes
It’s good to write for money, It’s the only way to go, Forget starving in the attic. Who can afford attic anyhow? Let me prostitute my talents -be a martyr for the arts – ‘Cause without the lovely greenbacks I’ll just be another tart … Hawking rhythm up at King’s Cross, Flogging poems and rhymes … Continue reading
Mining scars: occupation continues (art)
Jacky Green wants people to know what the big mining companies are getting away with on his land – land that’s far away from the eyes of the mainstream media and the dominant methods of communication. And that’s how his art becomes resistance and gives voice to an unvoiced people and to a cause. Mining in … Continue reading
3 strong women and their bold poetry that just says it how it is
The Joys of Motherhood – FreeQuency “…who will see criminal before child… I can’t take it for granted that they won’t kill my son… there’s something about being Black in America that has made motherhood sound like mourning …” Used – Shelby Birch “He called me a queen and I blushed, but it wasn’t because … Continue reading
40 Books by Oppressed People in 40 weeks
I’ve set a goal to read 40 novels or fiction/prose works (eg poetry, memoirs) by oppressed people by the end of this year (1 a week). This includes books by authors in thirdworld countries, women, sexually diverse authors, workers, indigenous peoples, people who face systemic racism, poor people, refugees and more. These people are, in … Continue reading
“White men who think their flat cold spiky words make the only reality.”
Languages on their own can be tools of power or resistance… Shailja Patel’s “Dreaming in Gujarati”: (excerpts) I am six in a playground of white children Darkie, sing us an Indian song! Eight in a roomful of elders all mock my broken Gujarati English girl! Through the years I watch Gujarati swell the swaggering egos of … Continue reading
Christmas was the ‘gift’ brought by the invasion to Latin America
Langston Hughes wrote this poem about Christmas 85 years ago, and it still matters. A U.S. based African-American activist and one of the innovators of Jazz Poetry, he promoted racial awareness, wrote novels, stories, poems and more. Merry Christmas, China From the gun-boats in the river, Ten-inch shells for Christmas gifts, And peace on earth … Continue reading
Children were sold
Frances Harper (1825-1911), who campaigned against slavery and helped escaped slaves, wrote this poem. She also often read her poetry at public meetings – seeing creativity intricately linked into real life and struggles. The Slave Auction The sale began – young girls were there, Defenceless in their wretchedness, Whose stifled sobs of deep despair Revealed … Continue reading
Kendrick Lamar rebellious gems
Here are a few gems from US hip hop artist, Kendrick Lamar. Though a bit commercial himself, some of his lyrics have found their way into the Black Lives Matter movement, with protestors chanting “We’re gunna be alright!” when attacked by police at the conference in Cleveland. BLM: a bold movement that is influencing and … Continue reading
Bought and Sold
Smart big awards and prize money Is killing off black poetry It’s not censors or dictators that are cutting up our art. The lure of meeting royalty And touching high society Is damping creativity and eating at our heart. The ancestors would turn in graves Those poor black folk that once were slaves would wonder … Continue reading
At a Deportation Centre by Warsan Shire
Well, I think home spat me out, the blackouts and curfews like tongue against loose tooth. God, do you know how difficult it is, to talk about the day your own city dragged you by the hair, past the old prison, past the school gates, past the burning torsos erected on poles like flags? When … Continue reading
what the cicada said to the brown boy
i’ve seen what they make of you how they render you a multiplicity of mistakes they have undone me as well pulled back my shell and feasted on my flesh claimed it was for their survival and they wonder why I only show my face every seventeen years but you you’re lucky if they let … Continue reading
