An Agony. As Now.

“Black Art” by Amiri Baraka (1965)

This poem is Baraka’s most influential poem as it inspired the Black Arts movement in theater. Baraka outlines his belief that Black artists should no longer try to meet white artistic standards or seek white culture’s validation while calling for violence to create a Black world. The aggressive, militant tone and offensive racial terms caused controversy at the time of publication.

“Incident” by Amiri Baraka (1969)

“Incident” is an example of how Baraka uses extreme violence to call for radical change. This poem describes the violent murder of a man.

“Staggerlee Wonders” by James Baldwin (1982)

Like Baraka, Baldwin saw poetry and politics as interconnected, and he often used his work to call for radical political change. This poem begins with a conversation between a Black man and a white woman before becoming more philosophical. In the end, Baldwin is arguing for Black survival in the face of white racism.

“Power” by Audre Lorde (1978)

Lorde also uses her poetry to call for political change. This poem describes the police killing of the 10-year-old Black boy named Clifford Glover in graphic detail to express her rage.