History has seen many fighters for human rights and the will of other people. There are many African-American women who took their part in the common goal and expressed themselves freely in their poems, plays, essays, and other literary works.
Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the selected writers because she takes a personal and friendly approach in her wishes and attitude towards those who shared the suffering with her.
It makes people realize that she has deeply felt the pain and this gives her an understanding of others, and that reflects in her writing. “The Song in the Front Yard” shows an attitude of a rebel and a person who does not conform to norms.
This can be understood when a person is being treated. Differently, stress and pressure build up inside and demand justice. The tone of her poem “Mother” is very graphic and shows how harsh and cruel people are when they choose to decide the fates of others and specifically, babies.
But at the same time, there is an acknowledgment that all were loved and the circumstances were such that life otherwise would not be possible (Bloom 18).
June Jordan is another unique poet who expressed herself very precisely and the use of language is very elegant and intelligent. When her works are read, it is possible to imagine the setting and her ideas, as they are explained very exactly and vividly.
The fact that she uses language and imagination in such a way adds to the atmosphere of genius and means that she was unique in her expression and transference of information. “The poem about my rights” talks about how everything that a person did is already preconceived as “wrong.”
The fact that one is born with certain characteristics is already wrong, even while the person is unreasonably made guilty of it (June Jordan). This shows the harsh truth that people judge others on the slightest sign of difference.
The author expresses her discontent with human stereotypes and unequal treatment while they are not without faults. The poem that she has written in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. shows how devoted she was in her beliefs and fight for human rights.
Her anger is very evident when she talks about the murder and the qualities that people who commit acts of discrimination and crimes possess.
Lucie Clifton was original in the way she made everyone around her feel. She could create a very relaxing and friendly atmosphere where people felt it was a safe environment to discuss any issue and even those that are usually not talked about.
She was a kind-hearted person, and this transferred to others and made people feel a little better than they were before meeting her. Her poems are graphics and especially when she talks about bombs and babies.
She describes how the killing machines are indifferent to who is on the ground, and it is possible to see that she has given a lot of thought to these concepts. This subject is very significant at any time and in any country or nation.
People carelessly hurt others and treat fellow human beings with inhumane qualities and so, this sort of topic is very modern.
When a person takes some time to think about the hate and cruelty that goes on in the world, they become very upset and hurt by the reality, and this can be seen in Lucille Clifton (Holladay 4).
Maria Stewart has written extensively on politics and morality and in this, she can be compared to a philosopher. It is very much respected that she has given a lot of time to study, think and write about the topics that are so important for the world.
She can be called “an activist” and a true fighter for her people and human rights. Not a lot of people have such determination and want to change something so rooted in society. The way she spoke about slavery and discrimination shows how much emotion she has towards the subject.
Her outrage is evident when she questions other people who are different from herself and her fellow sufferers and asks why it is wrong if God is the one who made everyone the same way.
It is clear that her anger is righteous and is directed to all those who have been unreasonably evil towards African-Americans (Richardson 23).
Zora Hurston’s life story is very interesting and deserving of respect. She has lived through hard times when needing resources, but she was able to find her calling and start writing.
It is fascinating to see how she discovered and bettered her talent through her work and it is admirable that the hardships did not break her spirit. “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” is written in a sarcastic tone and the emotions of the author are very much visible.
When Zora Hurston talks about how she is being reminded about the fate of African-American people, the slavery and suffering that went on, it makes her angry and depressed.
In another one of her works titled “The Gilded Six-Bits,” the emotions are evident from the very start when the emphasis is made on the word “Negro.”
Right away this sets the separation between people and races, exaggerating the superiority of the white race (Zora Neale Hurston). Self-expression is a very powerful weapon, as can be proven from this case.
Sonia Sanchez is very personal when she speaks and explains herself. Her work has also extensively reflected the fact that everything is very close to her heart and she is not afraid to express herself.
The way she works on her poems and the great care that she has towards the words and ideas shows that she is a very reasonable individual who does not want to say or portray a wrong concept or image.
Her descriptions are very open and indicate that there is a trusting relationship between the author and the audience. Her anger can be seen in the way she talks about distancing herself from the hate of the world and people who have qualities of animals.
She also speaks for the people she represents, addressing the issues and problems that have been around for so long. It is evident that writing was a great way for her to express her emotions and carry along with the message of her ancestors.
Her pain becomes very visible when she talks about the death of her brother and the reasons. This incident has caused a separation within the family, and this fact was very hurtful to her and everyone around (Joyce 19).
Works Cited
Bloom, Harold. Gwendolyn Brooks. Broomall, United States: Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print.
Holladay, Hillary. Wild blessings: the poetry of Lucille Clifton. Louisiana, United States: LSU Press, 2004. Print.
Joyce, Ann. Conversations With Sonia Sanchez. Mississippi, United States: Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2007. Print.
“June Jordan”. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 2nd edition. Ed. Henry L. Gates Jr. and Nellie K. McKay. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004. Print.
Richardson, Marilyn. Maria W. Stewart: America’s First Black Woman Political Writer. Bloomington, United States: Indiana University Press, 1987. Print.
“Zora Neale Hurston”. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature 2nd edition. Ed. Henry L. Gates Jr. and Nellie K. McKay. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004. 1019-1022. Print.