Guest Author - Sonya L. Wilson
At the close of National Poetry month, one poetry collection gem to check out is “I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans” by Arnold Adoff. “I Am the Darker Brother”, an offering for school-aged children, showcases the proud, yet vulnerable, lonely and independent humans. These poems showcase a people who have been shaped out hardship but through endurance and spirit have come shining through.
“I Am the Darker Brother” was initially published in 1968 with a foreword by poet Nikki Giovanni. The updated anthology includes poems by such well known poets such a Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Rita Dove, Ishmael Reed and Paul Laurence Dunbar along with lesser known poems and poets.
This lyrical journey strives to highlight the very soul of the African American. Through the poems we experience the hardship of our history and our never ending hope for a better tomorrow for ourselves and our families.
There have been numerous anthologies of African-American poetry prior to and preceding Adoff’s publication of “I Am the Darker Brother”, many with in-depth illustrations. However, Adoff’s anthology is remarkable and unique because of its ability to share the African-American experience through poems that speak for themselves. The African-American experience is illuminated without distracting artwork or the need to carry the “multicultural” banner to make its point.
The updated and revised edition of “I Am the Darker Brother” has new poems representing nine women poets and ten male poets. The introduction of the book puts the poems and poets in a historical context. The book also has a forward that encourages new readers to enjoy this classic book.
The poet biographies and text notes have been added and updated where needed and the evocative yet spare line drawings found in the original version remain in the new version and open each section of the book.
“I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans” is of course a treasure to be enjoyed during times such as Black History Month but the enjoyment of this piece should not be limited to only one time of year. “I Am the Darker Brother” should be used during the entire year and should be treasured by all African Americans and celebrated as part of the large body of excellent literature that should be enjoyed by all Americans as a testament to enduring pride and everlasting spirit.
