"The Movement" began in neighborhoods like Harlem-New York City and Bronzeville-Chicago. Writers, artists, poets, musicians, and activists began to explore the importance of African-American history/ contributions to America and to challenge racism, stereotypes, lynchings, white paternalistic control, etc. The movement helped to establish an identity of pride and self-determination in the African-American community and influence a generation of future poets, artists, musicians, social activists, etc.
One of those "future poets" (one of my all-time favorites) was Gil Scott-Heron. Gil was heavily influenced by Langston Hughes...
"As far as poetry is concerned, I was introduced to Langston Hughes at an early
age because he was one of my grandmother's favorites, so she used to point out
his stuff when he appeared in the Black newspapers."
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| Gil Scott-Heron 1949-2011 |
Here is one of my favorite Gil Scott-Heron poems/ songs ...
"Winter in America"
"Winter in America"...recorded in 1974.
My interpretation...we need more Spring, Summer, Fall (hopes, dreams, aspirations) and less Winter ("The Jellyfish" of disillusionment, political corruption, war, poverty, injustice, frozen dreams and aspirations, leaders who never had a chance to grow, etc.)
From the Indians who welcomed the
pilgrims...And to the buffalo who once ruled the
plains
Like the vultures circling beneath the
dark clouds
Looking for the rain…Looking for the
rain
Just like the cities staggered on the
coastline...Living in a nation that just can't
stand much more
Like the forest buried beneath the
highway
Never had a chance to grow…Never had a
chance to grow
And now it's winter…Winter in America
Yes and all of the healers have been
killed...Or sent away, yeah
But the people know, the people know
It's winter…Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting ...'Cause nobody knows what to save
Save your soul, Lord knows...From Winter in America
The Constitution…A noble piece of
paper...With free society…Struggled but it
died in vain
And now Democracy is ragtime on the
corner
Hoping for some rain…Looks like it's
hoping...Hoping for some rain
And I see the robins…Perched in barren
treetops
Watching last-ditch racists marching
across the floor
But just like the peace sign that
vanished in our dreams
Never had a chance to grow…Never had a
chance to grow
And now it's winter…It's winter in
America
And all of the healers have been
killed…Or betrayed
Yeah, but the people know, people know
It's winter, Lord knows…It's winter in
America
And ain't nobody fighting…Cause nobody
knows what to save
Save your souls…From Winter in America
Listen to Gil sing "Winter in America"
.JPG)
