Letters to America
Contemporary American Poetry on Race
Edited by Jim Daniels
Paperback
ISBN: 9780814325421
Pages: 232 Size: 6x9
Letters to America features the work of poets who have had the courage to write about race with honesty and passion. Speakigng from the experience of Black, Native American, Asian, Arabic, Indian, Hispanic, and white culture, their diverse voices unite in a dialogue of poems which acknowledge and celebrate our differences while exploring America’s shameful history of racial intolerance. The poets in this anthology include Gwendolyn Brooks, Charles Bukowski, Joy Harjo, Langstong Hughes, Sharon Olds, James Wright, Etheridge Knight, Gary Soto, Garrett Kaoru Hongo, Audre Lorde, David Ignatwo, and others.
Imagine that all the poets in this book are speaking to each other in a single room-an auditorium or classroom-having the discussion about race our country finds it so hard to have. Jim Daniels takes chances with his own poetry, and he takes chances with this anthology, fine chances, so page through, stay awhile, listen to all these vibrant American voices.
– Mike Rose, University of California, Los Angeles
This is a wonderful book. . . for looking at ourselves as a country beginning a new century. This is the real deal: the kitchen table conversation. These poems need to be read. I can't think of a book more timely.
– Kenneth McClane, Cornell University