One of the most significant celebrations during February is Black History Month. It’s a time dedicated to honoring the accomplishments of African Americans. The world of poetry has been profoundly enriched by these individuals, offering powerful voices and perspectives on life, struggle, and hope.
The Enduring Legacy of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) stands as one of the most influential women of our time. Her writing resonates deeply with readers, touching their hearts with its honesty and wisdom. In addition to her prolific literary career, Angelou was a dedicated civil rights activist, using her voice to advocate for equality and justice.
"Phenomenal Woman" is a classic poem that speaks to every woman in the world. It celebrates the strength, beauty, and resilience of women, encouraging them to embrace their unique qualities.
"Still I Rise" is a verbalized legacy formed from the roots and depth of her heart. In this beautiful and powerful poem, Maya Angelou teaches us that we are all people, and so much more alike than different. With so much sadness and feeling alone in the world today, reading these words reminded me there are so many others that feel the same.
"Caged Bird," first published in her book "Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?" in 1983, is a metaphor illustrating the differences between African-Americans and Whites during the civil rights era. The author, a black woman who grew up in the South during this era, is expressing her feelings at the discrimination she faced during her life.
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Maya Angelou crafted a poem from a child’s perspective about all the frightening things in her world. Although this poem showcases many things that frighten a child, the greater theme in this poem is that no matter the obstacles we face in life, we can overcome them. The repetition of “life doesn’t frighten me at all” reinforces that theme.
Racism and discrimination continue to plague our society, and those themes are clearly seen in this poem by famous poet Maya Angelou. In this poem, she encourages people to keep moving forward. Don’t give up the fight for equality.
The Powerful Voice of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was an American poet who became famous for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. He was the first African American to support himself as a writer. Hughes's poetry often explored the experiences of African Americans, capturing their struggles, dreams, and cultural identity.
In the poem "Dreams," Langston Hughes shares the importance of having dreams. Without dreams, our lives do not feel complete. We do not have anything to work toward, so holding onto the dreams strengthens and empowers us.
"Mother to Son" uses the metaphor of life being like a staircase to give advice to her son. While there are difficult times, you must keep moving like you would while walking up a staircase.
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For many people, it has been a struggle to attain the American dream. Langston Hughes shares how many groups of people have not been able to experience the America that people dream it to be. They have struggled for freedom and equality. Although this poem has a very somber feel, hope is presented at the end.
Langston Hughes (1902-1967) settled in Harlem, New York, in 1924 and was a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance. In this poem, he wrote of the reality that faced many in the black community and how they were regarded as “less than” by other people. The poem ends with the hope that one day it would be different.
We all dream of what we want to experience in life, but what happens when those dreams are put on hold or ignored? That’s what Langston Hughes attempts to answer in this poem. None of the possibilities are positive, making the reader realize the importance of pursuing dreams.
In this poem, the speaker is considering giving up on life, but he can’t go through with it. He finds that since he hasn’t died, he has something to live for. This poem has a strong sense of structure. Everyone is born for a purpose, but we forget that in pursuit of money.
This poem shows that even through the hardships of life, it’s possible to keep pushing forward. In this poem, Langston Hughes does not follow the rules of grammar, but that adds to the frazzled feel of the poem’s content.
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Hughes weaves nature into his poetry to celebrate Black strength, history, and renewal. His work reminds us that the environment is deeply tied to identity and community.
"An Earth Song" honors the beauty of the land, celebrating nature’s rhythms as a source of life and joy, much like the resilience of Black communities.
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" connects ancient waterways-Euphrates, Congo, Nile, and Mississippi-to Black history, symbolizing endurance and wisdom.
"In Time of Silver Rain" speaks of rebirth and new beginnings, reflecting both the renewal of the earth and the hope of freedom.
Hughes’ poetry reminds us that Black history is deeply connected to the land-its struggles, its beauty, and its ability to bring peace and healing.
Other Notable Poets and Poems
Lucille Clifton was an American poet who lived from 1936-2010. Many of her poems show a theme of having strength through adversity. In this poem, a passerby finds Miss Rosie along the street, and she hurls insult after insult at the homeless lady. But this old lady used to be the most beautiful lady in all of Georgia.
Her poetry celebrates her African American heritage and usually includes feminist themes, which can be seen in this poem. In "Homage to My Hips," she shows she is proud of who she is. She won’t conform to expectations or be held back. Work what you've got and be proud of it.
This poem, published in 1949, is told from the perspective of a young black student who, through a class assignment, takes a look at how he relates and doesn’t relate to his white professor. He is searching for how his experiences can compare to those of his white classmates. However, it goes beyond the issue of race. Any human who has struggled with identity can connect with this poem written by an influential leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
This poem was inspired by the movie The Help. The main idea of the poem is how people look at people's skin color and judge them. This was a very true poem! I love the meaning, and it really brings out the idea of discrimination by color and how bad it is.
By Curtiss L. Rhythmic poem suggesting hope in the area of racial relations. Seven stanzas relating different aspects of how this hope is seen and realized in a single person's dream. Personal experience has been that many wish for the same but there are also those who foster continual hatred among the races.
When you read this, dont judge. Just let it sink in your hearts and realize black people aren't just a color. We are so much more than that: We are strong, beautiful, courageous, intelligent, and enduring people. The word "nigger" doesn't define us unless we let it. This is the story of long ago when black people werent treated as equals. As an African American woman, I feel things have gotten better, but I believe Martin Luther King's dream has not been fully fulfilled. Read this and learn from the past so we can make a better future for everyone. God bless and much love Keisha.
Another Harlem Renaissance poet, Helene Johnson’s poetry beautifully intertwines nature with the human experience, offering timeless reflections on identity, resilience, and the environment.
"Metamorphism" captures the transformative power of nature, reminding us of the cycles of change in both the world around us and within ourselves.
"The Road" takes us through paths of both personal and environmental journeys, urging us to consider how the road we travel today impacts the world we leave for tomorrow.
"What Do I Care for Morning" challenges conventional ideas of renewal, echoing a deep connection to the land’s ability to restore and refresh, despite the odds.
James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was a poet, novelist, civil rights activist, and key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Best known for "Lift Every Voice and Sing", he used his writing to explore themes of justice and the deep connection between people and the land.
In "Deep in the Quiet Wood", Johnson paints a peaceful retreat into nature, where the forest offers healing-a reminder of why we must protect these sacred spaces. His poem "We to America" reflects on the struggles and hopes of Black Americans, highlighting our enduring relationship with the land.
“New Day’s Lyric” was written by Amanda Gorman, the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate. She uses poetry to reflect the current age of oppression, race, feminism, and marginalization.
This is one of the most famous poems about Black History. It was written by Langston Hughes, an important writer and figure during the time of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes uses African American history poems to speak out about this blatant discrimination in the 20th century. He speaks on the painful subject of racism while expressing that one day, all will value the beauty and power of African American culture.
This poem, published in Maya Angelou’s 1983 poetry collection “Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing?” describes the different experiences of two birds. Because of its harsh reality, the caged bird turns to sing and longs for freedom. Angelou uses this metaphor to express the pain of oppression and highlight the contrasting privileges within our society. It is among the most moving African American poems in history and sadly still rings true today.
Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American poet to win the Pulitzer Prize. In this Black History poem, she talks about how vital it is to accept one’s black heritage. Brooks looks down on the fact that people may believe being white is a great thing and something for all to yearn for.
Margaret Walker is a poet and novelist from Birmingham, Alabama. This poem was written in the 1930s and expresses how Walker yearns for a better future for children and people of color, where equality and freedom will heal the wounds of the past.
In this poem, self-love and perseverance are powerful and evident-it was written by Lucille Clifton, who is known for writing about gender and racial bias in society. Despite being a prolific author of literature and renowned poet, she faced a great deal of prejudice and a lack of models to look up to as a black woman.
This poem by Maya Angelou embodies the struggle of dealing with and overcoming racial oppression and prejudice. She dismisses oppressors who might have thought they could stop her from achieving her goals.
In this poem, Shannon D. Brown-Rogers tells a story of self-worth. She expresses her love for the color of her own skin in a story of self-acceptance. With the use of similes, Shannon created a piece that speaks to the happy memories in life and reminds everyone that being black is as beautiful as all of those things.
Amiri Baraka is a Black poet, activist, and scholar. The message of this poem is to raise people’s consciousness and help them see the world and themselves more clearly.
This poem was published in Marilyn Nelson’s collection “Carver: A Life of Poems.” It is written about George Washington Carver. Nelson has received several awards for her work, including the Newbery Honor Book Award, Michael L. In this poem, Carver wishes to learn, help, and educate himself so that he can help the poor black farmers in the South.
Johnson writes of the importance of remembering the past as well as moving forward.
Danez Smith offers a searing exploration of identity, history, and resilience in this evocative and experimental piece.
List of Poems, Articles and Podcasts that explore African American history and culture
- Poems
- Harlem - Langston Hughes
- On Liberty and Slavery - George Moses Horton
- Lift Every Voice and Sing - James Weldon Johnson
- Praise Song for the Day - Elizabeth Alexander
- I, Too - Langston Hughes
- Frederick Douglass - Robert Hayden
- Caged Bird - Maya Angelou
- Margaret Walker
- Riot - Gwendolyn Brooks
- Narrative: Ali - Elizabeth Alexander
- Canary - Rita Dove
- Booker T. and W.E.B. - Dudley Randall
- Georgia Dusk - Jean Toomer
- Articles
- 200 Years of Afro-American Poetry - Langston Hughes
- The Black Poet as Canon-Maker - Elizabeth Alexander
- The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain - Langston Hughes
- The Difficult Miracle of Black Poetry in America - June Jordan
- “Finding a Window” - Kimberly Reyes
- Lights and Shadows - Delaney Hall
- Soldier: A Poet’s Childhood - June Jordan
- Nate Marshall
Classroom Tips
Use these Black History Month poems for kids of all ages and brief biographies.
- This poem challenges us to go beyond a single month and celebrate Black history year-round.
- Angelou’s empowering poem teaches resilience in the face of fear.
- Through the voice of a mother, Hughes offers a powerful lesson on perseverance and grit.
- Woodson captures a moment in time while reflecting on the personal and historical significance of her birth date.
- Brooks masterfully weaves imagery and metaphor in this thoughtful exploration of resilience and hope.
- If you watched President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, it would be hard to forget Gorman’s stirring poem.
Pair this Black history poem with readings from the play to give students a more complete picture of daily life for many Black Americans during the 1950s.
Use this poem to discuss themes of inclusion and pride.
Explore the concept of “home” through student essays or poems.
Pair this poem with history lessons on the Vietnam War.
Discuss how poetry can foster empathy.
Use this poem to explore themes of community and culture.
