Ferguson, Michael Brown, and Poetry
I can't comment too heavily on what has been happening in Ferguson after the death (murder?) of Michael Brown. I'm certainly not an expert on race relations, nor do I, or maybe anyone, know exactly what happened between Michael Brown and Darren Wilson. Either way, my heart goes out to the family of Michael Brown and the city of Ferguson.
On the night the grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson was made public, I was reading December's issue of Poetry Magazine and happened to read Dinosaurs in the Hood by Danez Smith:
The story in this poem is truly profound. The last lines, "his dreams possible, pulsing, & right there." pull at your heartstrings when thinking about Michael Brown's life being cut short at 18 years old. I know there are thousands and thousands of African American poets and poetry, but Danez Smith does something truly beautiful here. He makes African American issues known and understandable by relating them to film.
Here is another beautiful poem by Danez Smith:
alternate names for black boys
1. smoke above the burning bush
2. archnemesis of summer night
3. first son of soil
4. coal awaiting spark & wind
5. guilty until proven dead
6. oil heavy starlight
7. monster until proven ghost
8. gone
9. phoenix who forgets to un-ash
10. going, going, gone
11. gods of shovels & black veils
12. what once passed for kindling
13. fireworks at dawn
14. brilliant, shadow hued coral
15. (I thought to leave this blank
but who am I to name us nothing?)
16. prayer who learned to bite & sprint
17. a mother’s joy & clutched breath
Another African American poet, and one of my favorites, Terrance Hayes, a National Book Award winner and 2014 MacArthur Fellow, writes often about race. Here's one of his poems:
What I Am
Fred Sanford's on at 12
& I'm standing in the express lane (cash only)
about to buy Head & Shoulders
the white people shampoo, no one knows
what I am. My name could be Lamont.
George Clinton wears colors like Toucan Sam,
the Froot Loop pelican. Follow your nose,
he says. But I have no nose, no mouth,
so you tell me what's good, what's god,
what's funky. When I stop
by McDonalds for a cheeseburger, no one
suspects what I am. I smile at Ronald's poster,
perpetual grin behind the pissed-off, fly-girl
cashier I love. Where are my goddamn fries?
Ain't I American? I never say, Niggaz
in my poems. My ancestors didn't
emigrate. Why would anyone leave
their native land? I'm thinking about shooting
some hoop later on. I'll dunk on everyone
of those niggaz. They have no idea
what I am. I might be the next Jordan
god. They don't know if Toni Morrison
is a woman or a man. Michael Jackson
is the biggest name in showbiz. Mamma se
Mamma sa mamma ku sa, sang the Bushmen
in Africa. I'll buy a dimebag after the game,
me & Jody. He says, Fuck them white people
at work, Man. He was an All-American
in high school. He's cool, but he don't know
what I am, & so what. Fred Sanford's on
in a few & I got the dandruff-free head
& shoulders of white people & a cheeseburger
belly & a Thriller CD & Nike high tops
& slavery's dead & the TV's my daddy--
You big Dummy!
Fred tells Lamont.
Terrance Hayes, like Danez Smith, uses popular culture to bring light on important African American issues. And poets, like all artists, have the ability to comment on our culture: the good, the bad, and everything in between. Poetry and art can help us make sense of things once unbelievable. Poetry and art won't bring Michael Brown back or prevent his death from happening, but it could prevent the deaths of others (I'm being broad here because these injustices occur to other races and those less privileged - B, who has extensive experience and knowledge on these issues, also made the point that we frequently neglect the fact that school shootings are primarily at the hands of young white men). So poetry and art won't change what has already happened, but I believe that it can help heal, inform, and potentially prevent further acts of violence in this country if we are mindful and pay attention. So pay attention.
Don't forget: My Open studios is this coming Saturday, December 6th from 11am-5pm at Fountain Street Studios: 59 Fountain St. Framingham, MA 01702. Come by to see some of my new work.