Subject: English: Poetry

Poet's Chamber Series

African American Poetry

Michael S. Harper, the first Poet Laureate of Rhode Island, was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Harlem, as he says, "young, black and angry." He knew that experience, but he overcame his anger. In this program Professor James Ragan shares the "stage" with this proactive educator, the longest serving professor of English at Brown University, where he continues to teach poetry workshops. In this classic program we learn of his commitment through his work and his art to motivate others, especially other African Americans, to avoid the gangs, to reject the violence and to find the importance of their individuality. A selection of his numerous books include: Images of Kin, which was nominated for the National Book Award and won the Melville-Cane Award from the Poetry Society of America; History is Your Heartbeat, which won the Black Academy of Arts & Letters Award for poetry; and Dear John, Dear Coltrane, which was nominated for the National Book Award. 2010DR/CL JSCA 60 min.
Note: An edited version, African American Poetry - Level 1, is available.