African American Poetry?

Question

I am utterly sadened that I had to come here to ask this question. I am searching for a poem that portrays the struggles of african american people, the triumps they have been through. And on this huge device called the world wide web I can find nothing but mushy watered down mess. Of all the people that struggled and fought no one decided to write it down? I know for a fact this is untrue and it is quite distrubing to discover the lack of representation of these engrossing accounts of things that are very much a part of every Americans history.

So my fellow Americans, would anybody be kind enough to either provide:

-names of poems about slavery, civil rights, etc.
-names of african american poets who wrote on these topics
-links to sites that contain such poems

Thank you and your replies are much appreciated.

Answer 1

Langston Hughes is the best person to start with. The major body of his work is on themes of black power.
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/hughes.htm

James Weldon Johnson also wrote many poems on themes of African-American opression.
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/72

Answer 2

I'm sorry I can't help you much...

I do know that many things (in slavery) were put into songs. They could be easily learned, recited and repeated. Since many were illiterate (most were forbidden to learn to read or write), music was an easy means of story telling. Even some of the gospels were laced with secret messages and themes. Maybe try looking up some of the spirituals and oral traditions?

Answer 3

Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes are two poets you should read. Hughes was an angry Black poet, so his poetry is rife with anger and is quite excellent. Good luck!!

Chow!!

Answer 4

http://www.plethoreum.org/dunbar/gallery/WeWearTheMask.asp