People have been oppressed in different societies throughout history in situations where they had no outlet for their cry. When they feel ignored and restricted in other forms, they turn to poetry to pass a passionate yet concealed message. A good number of poets of resistance have grabbed the mantle and given a voice to the troubles of their society. Here are some of them and their famous verses.
Joplin, Missouri is the birth place of a columnist, poet and social activist known as Langston Hughes. This notable Harlem Renaissance social activism figure authored more than 15 poetry anthologies. I Look at the World stands out among his poems. It takes the reader through a world of oppressed blacks who live in fenced and restricted areas. This poem perfectly rallies oppressed people to rise and build this life that they have desired for so long.
Women resistance poets are led by the famous voice of a performer, author and memoirist Maya Angelou. She was from Missouri as well and is among the most decorated social justice activists with over 50 honorary degrees. Caged Bird is a verse that narrates the differences in the lives of free and oppressed people. The verse captures the life of a caged bird that only sings and another that is free to pursue its dreams. The imagery used in this poem is so powerful, sending the message home in a memorable version.
Denise Levertov trains her barrel pen on the Vietnam War. She views it as one of the worst injustices meted on innocent people. She uses different artistic forms including diary entries, news casts and conversations. Most of them feature battles between individuals and groups which represent the government. Making Peace is her most famous verse where she advocates for a pause so that people can ponder about peace.
In 1889, Claude McKay, a Harlem Renaissance poet, was born in Jamaica. In his work and life, he gravitated towards communist ideas. He stands our as an accomplished fiction, poetry and non-fiction writer. If We Must Die ranks top among his famous works. It urges people to die nobly through resisting. He describes it as shameful to allow tormentors to celebrate their brutal death.
Birmingham Alabama is the birth place of Margret Walker who having been born in 1915 went on to rise to prominence because of her participation in the African American Literary movement based in Chicago. For My People is a verse addressing comfortable slaves suffering under ungrateful masters. Her message is for them to rise and push for change in their situation.
If there is a clear and simplistic protest poet, it is Hirshfield Jane. The poet and essayist was a pioneer graduate from Princeton University where she was part of the first class that had female students. Among her famous works is Let Them Not Say, a verse warning evil doers that they are being watched and their acts are known to the public.
Though protest poetry was not meant to change the world directly, it awoke in people the consciousness of being oppressed. The oppressors also realized that the masses were watching. This was the fuel that oppressed people needed to instigate change.
Joplin, Missouri is the birth place of a columnist, poet and social activist known as Langston Hughes. This notable Harlem Renaissance social activism figure authored more than 15 poetry anthologies. I Look at the World stands out among his poems. It takes the reader through a world of oppressed blacks who live in fenced and restricted areas. This poem perfectly rallies oppressed people to rise and build this life that they have desired for so long.
Women resistance poets are led by the famous voice of a performer, author and memoirist Maya Angelou. She was from Missouri as well and is among the most decorated social justice activists with over 50 honorary degrees. Caged Bird is a verse that narrates the differences in the lives of free and oppressed people. The verse captures the life of a caged bird that only sings and another that is free to pursue its dreams. The imagery used in this poem is so powerful, sending the message home in a memorable version.
Denise Levertov trains her barrel pen on the Vietnam War. She views it as one of the worst injustices meted on innocent people. She uses different artistic forms including diary entries, news casts and conversations. Most of them feature battles between individuals and groups which represent the government. Making Peace is her most famous verse where she advocates for a pause so that people can ponder about peace.
In 1889, Claude McKay, a Harlem Renaissance poet, was born in Jamaica. In his work and life, he gravitated towards communist ideas. He stands our as an accomplished fiction, poetry and non-fiction writer. If We Must Die ranks top among his famous works. It urges people to die nobly through resisting. He describes it as shameful to allow tormentors to celebrate their brutal death.
Birmingham Alabama is the birth place of Margret Walker who having been born in 1915 went on to rise to prominence because of her participation in the African American Literary movement based in Chicago. For My People is a verse addressing comfortable slaves suffering under ungrateful masters. Her message is for them to rise and push for change in their situation.
If there is a clear and simplistic protest poet, it is Hirshfield Jane. The poet and essayist was a pioneer graduate from Princeton University where she was part of the first class that had female students. Among her famous works is Let Them Not Say, a verse warning evil doers that they are being watched and their acts are known to the public.
Though protest poetry was not meant to change the world directly, it awoke in people the consciousness of being oppressed. The oppressors also realized that the masses were watching. This was the fuel that oppressed people needed to instigate change.
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