Words Are Powerful: Black Women's Expression Through Poetry

Poetry was, and remains, a male-dominated literary endeavor. Enheduanna and Sappho, two women, are two of the world's first-known poets. Poetry started with women, but along the way, got tied up with men—typical. And when women are marginalized, Black women are marginalized the most. It is Black History month, and it's time to appreciate the contributions of Black women poets.

Amanda Gorman & Maya Angelou

Amanda Gorman is known for her poem “The Hill We Climb,” which she performed at Joe Biden's presidential inauguration. She was the first National Youth Poet Laureate, and at 22, is the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration. Her delivery of the poem was impactful and elegant. Her words perfectly wrapped up a politically-turbulent time in U.S. history and left the crowd with a serene sense of hope.

Amanda Gorman at the 2021 presidential inauguration

The ring Gorman wore on the day of the inauguration was given to her by Oprah Winfrey. It represents Maya Angelou's memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Angelou is a poet who was revolutionary with her words. Gorman has stated that she struggled speaking growing up, so when she read I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, she could relate to not wanting to speak and struggling to find words. Through poetry, both Gorman and Angelou found their voices.

Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde is a self-described "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet." She is a woman who fought her way into society with her words. Lorde spent her career as a poet fighting against injustices like racism and sexism. The use of her words left a powerful and poignant stamp on society. Her poem “Who Said It Was Simple” is a commentary on the injustices she faced. She calls out those who reap the benefits of perpetual corruption.

Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks is another major American poet. She won the Pulitzer Prize for literature for 1999’s Annie Allen, making her the first-ever Black woman to win the award. Her poetry and words placed a strong emphasis on race and the civil rights movement. Brooks was a pioneer with her words and she spoke out against injustices of all kinds.

Words create an everlasting impact on society across different cultures. Women, especially Black women, are constantly put down by society—Malcolm X once called Black women the most “disrespected,” “unprotected” and “neglected” people in America. It is critical that we read their work, and not just one month out of the year. Linked below are different works by some contemporary Black women poets. It's time to respect the Black women in this industry and realize one thing—words are powerful.

“Miz Rosa Rides the Bus” - By Angela Jackson

“Canary” - By Rita Dove

“waiting on the mayflower” - By Evie Shockley

“Enlightenment” - By Natasha Trethewey

“5 South 43rd Street, Floor 2” - By Yolanda Wisher

“The Subject of Retreat” - By Yona Harvey

“Is This or My Sky or Mine?” - By Cynthia Manick