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Black Girls Learn Love Hard
By Ras Baraka
Reviews & Bio
Ras Baraka’s Black Girls Learn
Love Hard (Moore Black Press 2005) is more than a brother
mourning the loss of his sister; more than a father arming his
daughters with weapons of truth; more than a son lamenting the
struggle of his foremothers. Black Girls Learn Love Hard
is also more than Baraka’s first published collection of
poetry.
It is a critical look at a world that preys on women instead of
praising them, a thought provoking investigation into the social
and political issues that plague the African American community,
and a passionate tribute to the strength and resilience of Black
Girl Love.
Moore Black Press is honored to be publishing this touching,
powerful collection of work that pays homage to the life and
courageous spirit of Baraka’s younger sister Shani, and all
women who learn love hard.
In
Black Girls Learn
Love Hard, Baraka
questions the flaws in our thinking, but gives hope to a future
of love for Black Girls and a community healed by respect and
empowerment. Baraka says, "Love is a revolutionary ideal
and Black Girl Love epitomizes the reason that we have made it
thus far. And all of the Black women in my life that I have
loved, love, or that love me have been an intricate part of who
I am."
Released in August
2005, B Black Girls Learn
Love Hard features cover art by
renowned artist Renaldo Davidson.
—Moore
Black Press
Reviews
"These
poems are fighting to be free from the bondage of U.S.
imperialism. They are "Redemption Songs." —Amina
Baraka
"Some
singers like Ras Baraka speak and it is the lives of the people
we see, we hear, we feel." —Kalamu
Ya Salaam
"One of the finest of the new generation of poets. If you
think this is nepotism you are probably illiterate." —Amiri
Baraka
"We
Black girls do, yes, learn love hard but then, sometimes, there
are people, words, touches, that make the hard and the hurt fade
or at least shrink down into something we can manage. These
poems by ras do just that." Asha
Bandele, novelist,
poet, The Subtle Art of Breathing
"Ras Baraka's poetry does battle for the creation of a
human world." —Sonia
Sanchez, poet, teacher, activist
Biography
Growing up in Newark, NJ, Baraka says,
"What I write about I have witnessed. I always knew Black
Girls loved hard because they are triply oppressed because of
their gender, their nationality, and their class." As the
son of revered poet-activists Amina and Imamu Amiri Baraka,
activism and art have always been synonymous. "Poetry and
art is culture," says Baraka. "Art is activism. There
is no division for me with art and politics."
It is no surprise this vice principal of Weequahic High School
in Newark has been such an active participant in the politics and
culture of his native New Jersey. At age 24, Baraka ran for
Newark’s Mayor, garnering 9% of the vote. He also ran in 1998
and 2002 for Newark’s Councilman-at-Large, and on September
27, 2002 Baraka was sworn in as Deputy Mayor under the tenure of
The Honorable Sharpe James.
A graduate of Howard University, Baraka
received his degree in political science and history in 1991.
While a student he formed Black Nia F.O.R.C.E. (Freedom
Organization for Racial and Cultural Enlightenment) - a student
group at the forefront of campus political and social activism.
Baraka served as Assistant Youth Coordinator for the Commission
for Racial Justice, and traveled with G.E.T.B.U.S.Y. – a tour
of rappers and political activists who lectured at jails and
schools around the country.
In his junior year, Baraka successfully led
the 1989 historic student protest to remove Lee Atwater,
Chairman of the Republican National Committee, from the
university’s Board of Trustees. The following year, Baraka was
elected as Vice President of the Howard University Student
Government.
As an artist, Baraka independently released his debut spoken word
CD, Shorty for Mayor, with the acclaimed single "Hot
Beverage in the Winter" featuring Grammy award winning
artist Lauryn Hill. Baraka also edited In the Tradition with
Kevin Powell, and anthology of young Black poets and writers
(1991). He recently appeared on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry on
HBO, and is currently working on his second book of essays and
poem.
#1
#4
There
Are Some Black Men
Source:
Black Girls Learn
Love Hard / posted 3 March 2006
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updated 13 October 2007 |
