Black Feeling, Black Talk

   Black Feeling, Black Talk poetry written in 1967 from American poet, writer, activist, commentator and educator Nikki Giovanni.  Inspired by the black power and civil rights movement, Nikki Giovanni's poetry expresses her strong racial pride and respect for her family.  Nikki Giovanni's first published poetry was due to her response to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar Evers and Robert Kennedy.  Black Feeling, Black Talk sold over 10,000 copies in the first year it was published.

Nikki Giovanni's fiery manner and outspokeness opened the eyes of the world.  In her early career she was named the "Princess of Black Poetry," and after three decades she is now known as a "National Treasure and a Living Legend."  Her awards and honors include over 25 honorary degrees, and she has published over 30 books for adults and children including spoken words recordings in which she reads poetry to gospel music.

In 1967 Nikki Giovanni graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee with honors receiving a B.A. in history.  She has taught writing and literature at Virginia Tech since 1987 where she is a University Distinguished Professor.

I Have a Dream

From Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin from the mid-19th century; to Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech, "I Have a Dream;" to the first Black President, Barack Obama elected in 2008; all of the above have come full circle.  Uncle Tom was a name often used by Blacks in reference to another Black person regarding their association with a White person.  You were said to be an "Uncle Tom," if you had a lot of White friends, held an important job which involved you working closely with White people and/or the name was used for a Black person that just did not seem Black enough.  The novel was enlightening and viewed Tom being named as an Uncle Tom because he associated with his White masters; Tom's trustworthiness among his masters allowed him to have much freedom that other Black slaves were not allowed to have.  Tom's thought was, by following the Bible and doing good among men that the same grace would be returned to him.  His closeness with Jesus and his beliefs allowed Tom to get through even the most difficult times.  Tom knew he would have freedom in eternity.

"I Have a Dream" speech given by Martin Luther King Jr., on August 28, 1963, called for racial equality and the end of discrimination.  The speech was delivered to over 200,000 civil rights supporters and became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.  It has been said that Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech resembled the style of a Baptist sermon and the speech has been ranked as the top American speech of the 20th century.  Being a Baptist minister, MLK Jr. quoted some of his biblical teachings from the Bible including Isaiah 40:4-5—"I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted."

Some 45 years later the first Black president was elected, Barack Obama.  During his inauguration speech, President Obama spoke of Ann Nixon Cooper, an 106 year old woman who a century ago was not allowed to vote due to her being a woman and because she was Black.  President Obama also spoke of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech stating "We Shall Overcome."

Throughout the slavery years, to the Civil Rights Movement, and today in 2011, we as a people and as a nation have come so far but we still have a long way to go.  Martin Luther King Jr.'s statement that, "We Shall Overcome" still holds true to this day.