By Loveis Wise
Each year, educators observe Black History Month. Looking for a fresh perspective, I researched works of contemporary artists and found Loveis Wise's vivid representation of Black History Month at the Poetry Foundation. Her artwork above showcases a diverse group of Black Americans looking backward into their ancestors' past while others contemplate the future. I paired this drawing with Latorial Faison's powerful poem, What is Black History?, to create a multi-dimensional lesson design on Black History for my professional development program. Fashion's reverent reflection is filled with visual imagery spanning centuries that emphasizes the power of story.
What is Black History?
from 28 Days of Poetry Celebrating Black History 3
by Latorial Faison (2012)
from 28 Days of Poetry Celebrating Black History 3
by Latorial Faison (2012)
It is the dirt road our forefathers trod,
Memories of their lives branded in our hearts.
It is a word, a place, a state of mind.
Black history is a peek into our ancestors' time.
It is a piece of fabric our grandmothers wore,
An old rope that our grandfathers lived to deplore.
Black history is cotton fields and tobacco leaves.
It is a plantation overseer and back door crumbs,
Weeping and wailing, a beating of drums.
It is a troubling truth, an unapologetic past.
Black history is an entire race struggling to last.
You can read the lines leading to the last two lines here.
LAST LINES
It is every single experience of our history.
Black history is the story of you and me.
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While February 28th is the close of Black History Month, historical moments live on as does the following line from Fashion's poem.
Memories of their lives branded in our hearts.
LAST LINES
It is every single experience of our history.
Black history is the story of you and me.
⨠⨠⨠⨠⨠
While February 28th is the close of Black History Month, historical moments live on as does the following line from Fashion's poem.
Memories of their lives branded in our hearts.
THIS LINE NOW SERVES AS THE STRIKE LINE FOR A GOLDEN SHOVEL POEM I DRAFTED.
When thinking of the past, memories
reveal feelings of
pride, pain, family, and their
legacy in a chain of not-forgotten lives.
Within each happening branded
in retold stories and in
places of prominence, our
memories are held in our hearts.
©CV,2019
⨠⨠⨠⨠⨠
When thinking of the past, memories
reveal feelings of
pride, pain, family, and their
legacy in a chain of not-forgotten lives.
Within each happening branded
in retold stories and in
places of prominence, our
memories are held in our hearts.
©CV,2019
⨠⨠⨠⨠⨠
I started writing this post after watching Good Morning America the morning of February 28th. Singer, songwriter, and Grammy winner, India Arie, performed a song, What If, honoring Black American trailblazers in history and this became the inspiration behind my design of a multi-faceted lesson that can be delivered during and beyond Black History Month.
In order to assist our students in becoming culturally literate, we need to present black history as a prominent piece of America's past, present, and future. Contemporary artists, poets, and songwriters are critical deliverers of the message.
In order to assist our students in becoming culturally literate, we need to present black history as a prominent piece of America's past, present, and future. Contemporary artists, poets, and songwriters are critical deliverers of the message.
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This post will serve a dual role as I offer it to the writing communities of
Poetry Friday and Two Writing Teachers.
Poetry Friday is hosted this week by a true poetry lover, blogger, and writer, Linda Baie, my friend from Denver. Linda's interest in anagrams has led her to grow a poem for spring. Join me at her blog post, TeacherDance to be delighted by her word choice and rearrangements that will surely brighten your winter days.
Two Writing Teachers is launching their Slice of Life Story Challenge 2019 for the month of March. There are already 213 educators who have posted their blogs at the site. My series will be titled March Musings 2019.
