Posted on Aug 1, 2022
In a new memoir in verse, Alora Young traces the lives of generations of Black women
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https://www.npr.org/2022/08/01/ [login to see] /alora-young-walking-gentry-home-youth-poet-laureate
As a young Black woman coming of age, Alora Young traced her life back through generations of Southern women.
She's 19, and the 2021 Youth Poet Laureate of the Southern United States. Her debut book Walking Gentry Home archives her family's history – and the legacy of slavery in the American South – in the form of a memoir in verse.
Here's the very first poem from the book, titled "Mother, TN, Many Many Generations":
As a young Black woman coming of age, Alora Young traced her life back through generations of Southern women.
She's 19, and the 2021 Youth Poet Laureate of the Southern United States. Her debut book Walking Gentry Home archives her family's history – and the legacy of slavery in the American South – in the form of a memoir in verse.
Here's the very first poem from the book, titled "Mother, TN, Many Many Generations":
In a new memoir in verse, Alora Young traces the lives of generations of Black women
Posted from npr.org
Poetry
Heritage
American History
Slavery
Reading
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."On poetry's role in recording painful history, but also breaking that cycle
I believe poetry is such a powerful tool, because it can convey the human experience in a way that no other kind of writing can. And I believe that we can use this art form as a tool for education and communication. I believe poetry is something that can cross any line, any border. And I think we need to try to cross these lines and borders and connect our world through the arts because we can make the world better."
..."On poetry's role in recording painful history, but also breaking that cycle
I believe poetry is such a powerful tool, because it can convey the human experience in a way that no other kind of writing can. And I believe that we can use this art form as a tool for education and communication. I believe poetry is something that can cross any line, any border. And I think we need to try to cross these lines and borders and connect our world through the arts because we can make the world better."
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