Movement in Black

Rating:
Summary: A true poet of the people
Review: Pat Parker died of cancer in 1989, the year of her 45th birthday. But she left behind a body of poetry in which she celebrated life. Parker wrote directly from and about her experiences as an African-American lesbian and feminist, but her work is relevant to readers regardless of their own gender, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation. Parker's work sparkles with humor and compassion even while it confronts painful subjects.

This expanded edition of "Movement in Black," with a new introduction by sister Black lesbian poet Cheryl Clarke, is a valuable contribution to contemporary literature. In addition to containing the great poems from the previous editions of this book, the new edition contains a rich selection of new poems, as well as Clarke's insightful introduction, a fascinating history of the book's previous incarnations by publisher Nancy K. Bereano, and a collection of tributes by 10 more writers, among them Angela Y. Davis, Audre Lorde, and Barbara Smith.

Of course, poetry lovers may want to skip the supplemental material and get right to the poetry. Parker is an American poet in the tradition of Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes. She writes in a raw, forthright vernacular language that addresses the joys and sorrows of real people. She writes about sex, love, prejudice, pain, and friendship. It's hard to pick just a few standouts from this awesome collection. But some of my favorites include "Movement in Black" (from which the title of the entire book is taken), a longer poem that tells the history of the Black woman in America; "The _What_ Liberation Front?", a humorous poem about a dog who is intent on joining a militant canine liberation organization; and "For the White Person Who Wants to Know How to Be My Friend," an insightful meditation on the possibility of interracial friendship.

This new edition of "Movement in Black" is essential reading for those interested in lesbian literature, African-American studies, and populist poetry. The book is also a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman whose spirit continues to inspire people of all races and sexual identities.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry to be Read Aloud
Review: Pat Parker is an incredible poet, I had the pleasure of being introduced to, while attending college. She speaks simply, she speaks reality, she speaks energy. I could never read a Pat Parker poem, silently. Her words were meant to be spoken aloud. So, I did and I still do. I recomend her poetry to everyone. You do not have to be black to understand her. You do not have to be a lesbian or a woman, for that matter. She speaks to the soul about a common thread, human frailty.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry to be Read Aloud
Review: Pat Parker is an incredible poet, I had the pleasure of being introduced to, while attending college. She speaks simply, she speaks reality, she speaks energy. I could never read a Pat Parker poem, silently. Her words were meant to be spoken aloud. So, I did and I still do. I recomend her poetry to everyone. You do not have to be black to understand her. You do not have to be a lesbian or a woman, for that matter. She speaks to the soul about a common thread, human frailty.

Rating:
Summary: you will never think the same again
Review: This book changed my life in so many ways. I was already out when I first read Pat Parker's poetry. Poems like "For Straight Folks who don't mind gays but wish they weren't so blatent" changed forever the way I feel about being closeted (I'll go, if you go too...). "There is a woman in this town" evokes the splits in the lesbian community that I encountered in the late 70's and early 80's. Her poems on Black experience challenged my thinking as well. Get it, read it. You won't regret it.