Black History Month, which is celebrated in February, is a good time to focus on the rich, interesting poetry written by African Americans. Poets like Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and Nikki Giovanni use language in such a wonderful and enticing way that students reading their poetry not only gain an appreciation of the genre, but an insight into the lives of African Americans.
It's a good idea to expose yourself and your students to a variety of poems. You'll find that African American poets often write about subject matter that is gritty and unique to their own experiences. Crime, inequality, growing up, unwanted pregnancies, or the smell and taste of a home-cooked meal might all have been fodder for these poets' pens.
Embark on the Journey
You might want to start an exploration of African American poetry by comparing and contrasting a poem by Langston Hughes to one by Robert Frost. It is an eye-opening experience to realize how much a person’s background and interests can influence what they choose to write about. This is why one person might write about a serene landscape on a sunny day and another might describe a scene with people fighting and crying. By comparing and contrasting the works of different authors, students can better understand poets and their work.
Why Does the Caged Bird Sing?
Maya Angelou has a wealth of poetry that students can delve into. You can share some of your favorites with students, or have them do research and find some of their own. First and foremost, however, you should have students take a close look at one of her poems and analyze the images and language that makes it unique. Students should be able to discuss both the topic and the way Angelou manipulates language. Here is an excerpt from one of her poems:
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his winds are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful thrill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Langston Hughes and Poetry
One of my favorite Langston Hughes poems is a great one to share with high school students. The poem "Mother to Son" is a lovely description of how a mother's words can help to form the man to be. By analyzing the images presented, and the argument as it is laid out, students can see how a few lines can communicate a wealth of ideas. With each phrase, Hughes conveys a truth about this mother and son, and a gives an insight into what their lives are like.
“Mother to Son”
Well, son I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor-
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbing on,
And reachin’landin’s,
And Turnin’corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Whrere there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now-
For I’se still goin’, hone,
I’se still climbing’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
A Scene From the South
Nikki Giovanni is a poet who uses language to paint a picture. In her poem about growing up in Chicago, you can almost see and hear what it must have been like. The poem is about what is important in life. For her, it's the love of her family. Here is an excerpt from the end of a poem she wrote:
"Nikki-Rosa"
And though you’re poor it isn't
poverty that concerns you and
though they fought a lot
it isn't your father's drinking that
makes any difference but only that
Everybody is together and you
and your sister have happy birthdays
and very good Christmases and I
really hope no white person ever has
cause to write about me
because they never understand
Black love is Black wealth and they'll
probably talk about my hard childhood
and never understand that
all the while I was quite happy.
Students can make a list of images, descriptions and details that the poet has used to tell their story.
Create Their Own Poems
Once students have discussed and analyzed a variety of poems, they can write their own using their personal experience. You can have them do this through traditional poetry or by writing lyrics to a song. You can bring in the lyrics to a song by Beyonce, Usher, Rihanna, or another African American artist and show your students how their songs are also poetry. Even though these singers may, or may not, have written the songs, it's a good way for students to see how poetry is still relevant.
Using these wonderfully rich poems as examples, you can take your students on an exploration of African American poems and poetry.
Lessons for Black History Month:
As a way to connect music and poetry, this lesson discusses the poetry of prominent African Americans and how it was influenced by blues music. They look for ways that the blues influence can be found in poetry
Powerful Poetry Presenting the Writer’s Soul
Using Langston Hughes as an example, students delve into the way this poet uses words to convey his meaning. In particular, students focus on figurative language. They also analyze how his poetry taps into universal themes.
This lesson using the blues as a means to understand African American poetry, like that written by Langston Hughes. By using this method of approaching poetry, teachers can help students see the connection between poetry and music.
