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On the Ninth Day of Black History…..28 days of Black History Excerpt

On the Ninth Day of Black History…..

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My Blackness gave to me the gift of song via Be-Bop, Hip-Hop,
The Gospel of Mahalia Jackson crooning over the troubles of the world,

Lift Every Voice and Sing!

Ella scatting, Bassie & Coltrane and all that Jazz

Leontyne Price and Marion Anderson’s Opera-sweet and nice,

Billie Holiday’s Blues lamenting over lynched lives,

Rock and Roll Soul thrives-with the God Father J.B.

Before long the Motown sound came about

Rhythm and Blues gave way to countless tunes

Following the blueprint of Curtis Blow’s aptitude to flow

Big Tif, Mc Lyte, Eric B. & Rakim came to rock the show

The King of Pop dropped groundbreaking charts and reigned royalty with the sound of immortality
Prince serenaded us with soft and high controversial vocals that made some fuss

The Queen of soul made way for the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Ms. Mary J.

Alicia Keys used her vocal instrument and tools combined with the ivories of the keyboard and the musical master has had masses Falling every since

Neo Soul, old soul with a new twist and strong hold was next to unfold

Spittin Baduizm, and Jilly from Philly’s poetic libretto’s, India Arie, Angie Stone, Kindred the Family Soul & on and on the microphone won’t rest with new comer’s Coming From Where I’m From Anthony Hamilton Neo Soul’s son, Jasmine Sullivan and Ledisi

Music is so much more than a beat

Reflection:

1. What African-American singer/musician inspires you the most? Why?

2. What is your favorite genre of music and why?

3. What is your favorite song?

28 Days of Black History, On the Eighth Day…

On the Eighth day of Black History…

My Blackness gave to me
Literary greats with no debate

Vast distinguished works speak
Dancing on the pages of poetry, novels, books and plays

Amiri Biraka pleaded “Who did what to the United States? “
Phenomenal Women who rose and activist who chose to compose literature that reflects a diverse people

Creative intellectual minds who wrote without the coat of sugar or syrupy sweet

Producing great characters such as Walter Lee Younger and Boy Willie & poems of Dreams we hear them speak volumes

Lucille Clifton lifting us

Still Thirsting for Hurston calling out for an S.O.S for Sanchez
Walter Dean Myers, Sharon Draper, Christopher Paul Curtis and Mildred D. Taylor’s Road to Memphis. Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison the writing journey has begun-and I’m on board

Reflection:

1. Who is your favorite African-American Writer? Why?

2. Tell us about your favorite book by an African-American Author. Note the genre.

3. Research the characters, titles mentioned in the poem. Who wrote them and which body of work do they come from?

4. Research the authors mentioned in the poem. Name one title from each of their works.

5. Which modern day writers from the poem write Young Adult realistic fiction?

6. List at least eight African-American writers that are not listed in the poem and their contribution (title).

On the Seventh Day of Black History…..

My Blackness gave to me Corn Rows and Afros, ring curls and hot combs all inspired by Madame C.J. Walker and Annie Turnbo Malone
Raged out Afro puffs, twists, and braids and stuff
Up do’s and short cuts and such
My crown gives me much versatility
Waves and curls and swoops and swirls I rock this mane with much attitude and thanks to my ancestors Who paid the dues for Willow whipping her hair and India’s I Am Not My Hair but my hair is me
I am Free Straight, Natural naturally nappy, curled coiled hair Happy

Tresses woolly locks I rock on the seventh day of black history and to some my mane remains a Mystery

Photo Credit: www.jazma.com

Reflection:

1. Which note worthy African Americans where noted in the poem?

2. What contributions did they make to American society?

3. There are several different hair styles worn by African Americans. How many were mentioned in the poem? Now list seven of those styles and at least three more hair styles that are worn by African Americans?

Writing:

4. Write a paragraph/essay on each one of the ladies explaining their contributions.