Week 7: Black Arts Movement

We want a black poem. And a Black World. Let the world be a Black Poem And Let All Black People Speak This Poem Silently or LOUD "Black Art" by Amiri Baraka

Monday, February 27

• In class:
  • Introduction to the Black Arts Movement
  • Amiri Baraka (Poets.org) (Penn Sound)
    • "An Agony. As Now"
    • "Dope" (YouTube)
  • Nikki Giovanni (Poetryfoundation.org)
    • "Ego Tripping" (YouTube)
    • "The Great Pax Whitie" (YouTube)
• Assignment:
  • Read intro and poetry by:
    • Ishmael Reed
    • Gwendolyn Brooks
    • Sonia Sanchez
  • Respond to a poem by each from the point of view of the Black Arts Movement.

Wednesday, March 1

• In class:
  • Ishmael Reed
  • Gwendolyn Brooks
  • Sonia Sanchez
• Assignment:
  • Read "New York School" in Princeton Encyclopedia.
  • Read "Personism: A Manifesto" by Frank O'Hara
  • Read Frank O'Hara bio and poems.
  • Read John Ashbery bio and poems.
  • Respond in writing to one O'Hara and one Ashbery poem, taking into account the poetics of the New York School.