Poetry has long served as a vehicle for political and social commentary, giving voice to those who have been marginalized, oppressed, and silenced. Racism, as a persistent and pervasive issue, has been a central theme in many poems throughout history. These works not only reflect the struggles faced by communities of color but also provide powerful insights into the emotional and psychological toll of racial prejudice.
While some well-known poets, like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, have received widespread recognition for their contributions, numerous lesser-known poems also tackle the complex issue of racism. In this article, we explore thirteen powerful, thought-provoking poems that address racism in its various forms, highlighting their literary significance and the continued relevance of their messages.
The 13 Great Poems About Racism You May Not Know
1. “The White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling
While this poem has been criticized for its imperialistic ideology, it plays a crucial role in understanding the historical context of racism. Written during the height of the British Empire, Kipling’s poem presents the so-called “burden” of white men to “civilize” non-European people.
“Take up the White Man’s burden—
Send forth the best ye breed—
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need;”
Kipling’s imperialist rhetoric highlights the condescending attitude toward non-Western cultures and races. The poem reflects the mentality that justified colonial oppression, suggesting that it was a noble act of “civilizing” others. Understanding this poem helps contextualize the power dynamics at play during the era of colonialism.
2. “I, Too” by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes is one of the most important figures of the Harlem Renaissance, and his poem “I, Too” addresses the systemic racism of the time while expressing hope for future equality.
“I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.”
This poem is a powerful assertion of equality and dignity. Hughes, in his simple yet profound language, rejects the idea that African Americans should be marginalized or silenced. His optimism for a future of racial equality is evident in the final lines, where he envisions a world where African Americans no longer face segregation or prejudice.
3. “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes
Another seminal work by Hughes, this poem delves into the complexities of identity and the intersection of race and individuality.
“I wonder if it’s that simple?
I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.
I went to school there, then Durham, then here,
To this college on the hill above Harlem.”
Hughes explores the concept of identity in a racially divided society, where a Black student is assigned to write about himself, yet his experience is complicated by the racial lines that define his existence. The poem challenges the idea of a singular, universal experience of being American, revealing the racial divides that structure social life.
4. “The Lynching” by Claude McKay
Claude McKay, another key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, addresses the brutal reality of lynching in the United States.
“His spirit is gone and his body is dead,
The scoundrels have done their cruel work well;
But in their hearts they know a burning truth
That he was a man and they have killed a man.”
This poem evokes the horror and injustice of lynching while emphasizing the humanity of the victim. McKay critiques the social order that enables such violence, highlighting the brutality of racism that transcends the physical act of lynching. The line “But in their hearts they know a burning truth” suggests that those responsible for such acts are also aware, on some level, of their inherent immorality.
5. “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Dunbar’s poem is a poignant reflection on the façade African Americans were often forced to wear in order to survive in a racially hostile society.
“We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.”
The poem delves into the emotional toll of racism, suggesting that African Americans often had to suppress their true feelings in order to navigate white society. The mask represents the survival mechanism of feigned happiness and civility, a painful contrast to the suffering underneath.
6. “A Litany for Survival” by Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde’s poem speaks to the constant fear and survival strategies that oppressed people, particularly Black women, must contend with in a racist society.
“And when we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard
Nor welcomed, but when we are silent, we are still afraid.
So it is better to speak, remembering
We were never meant to survive.”
Lorde’s words underscore the oppressive nature of silence in the face of injustice. She argues that speaking out against racism is not only necessary but life-affirming, even though it comes with great risk. The poem emphasizes resilience and the courage it takes to speak the truth when marginalized voices are often silenced.
7. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes
This iconic poem connects the history of African Americans to ancient civilizations, using the symbol of rivers to convey the deep connection between Black people and the world’s history.
“I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.”
Hughes uses the river as a metaphor for the enduring strength and history of Black people, connecting their struggles to the ancient and eternal. The poem asserts that the history of Black people is not only important but foundational to the development of human civilization.
8. “The Ballad of the Landlord” by Langston Hughes
A more direct commentary on economic and racial oppression, this poem tells the story of a Black tenant’s confrontation with his landlord over substandard living conditions.
” landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak.
Don’t you ‘low me to make no trouble,
I been at this place so long,
I ain’t never had no trouble.”
Hughes portrays the systemic nature of racism through the figure of the landlord, who refuses to make repairs because of the tenant’s race. This poem critiques the social structures that maintain racial inequalities, even in seemingly mundane situations like housing.
9. “I Am the People, the Mob” by Carl Sandburg
In this poem, Carl Sandburg addresses the collective experience of oppressed people, illustrating how their voices rise up against systemic racism.
“I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass.
Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?”
Sandburg’s poem amplifies the collective power of the marginalized, framing the mob as a force of change. The poem suggests that despite being suppressed, the oppressed have the potential to change the world through unity and collective action.
10. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
This anthem of resilience, written by Maya Angelou, expresses the strength and defiance of Black women in the face of systemic racism and gender oppression.
“You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
Angelou’s iconic refrain “Still I rise” becomes a symbol of resistance, as she celebrates her identity and refuses to be silenced or diminished. The poem speaks to the power of self-love, pride, and resilience in the face of prejudice and hatred.
11. “Racism” by Toni Morrison
Nobel laureate Toni Morrison’s poem reflects on the insidious and pervasive nature of racism in American society.
“Racism is a plague we cannot see;
We feel it, but it cannot be touched.”
Morrison captures the intangible but deeply felt nature of racism, emphasizing how it infects every part of society. Her words challenge readers to understand racism not just as an act but as an insidious force that shapes people’s lives in unseen ways.
12. “The Black Seer” by June Jordan
June Jordan’s poem speaks to the complexity of Black identity and the impact of systemic racism on the Black experience.
“We are the ones who dream the whole sky down
We are the ones who see the truth in everything.”
Jordan emphasizes the spiritual and intellectual power of Black people to see beyond the confines of racial injustice. The poem asserts the inherent wisdom and vision of Black communities in the face of racial adversity.
13. “White Lies” by Natasha Trethewey
This poem explores the complexities of race and identity, focusing on how racism is ingrained in the social fabric, even within families.
“The truth is, the past is still
our most hidden lie.”
Trethewey delves into the ways racism is perpetuated across generations, particularly within families, and the difficulty of confronting painful truths. The poem reflects on the lies told to mask the harsh realities of race in America.
Conclusion
These thirteen poems, each unique in its approach, collectively address the vast and often painful subject of racism. From historical reflections to contemporary challenges, these works highlight the resilience, strength, and defiance of those who have faced racial oppression. Poetry, as a form, remains a powerful tool for not only documenting the lived experiences of marginalized people but also challenging readers to reflect on the complexities of race and racism in society.
