In a world often mired in division, June Jordan's poetry serves as a powerful antidote to the toxic brew of nationalism and intolerance that threatens to engulf us. Through her work, which spans decades and continents, Jordan reveals herself to be an unflinching witness to the darkest corners of human experience.
As the editor of "This Unruly Witness: June Jordan's Legacy," a collection of essays by literary luminaries who knew the poet firsthand, Lauren Muller et al. have done a remarkable job in capturing the essence of Jordan's oeuvre - an unyielding commitment to love, justice, and human rights that defies easy categorization or reduction.
Jordan was a masterful wordsmith, capable of weaving together fragments of personal history, politics, and culture into a rich tapestry of poetry that continues to shock and inspire. Her work is not just a reflection of her own experiences as a black woman, lesbian, and activist, but also a searing indictment of the systems that seek to contain and oppress.
From "Poem About My Rights," which laid bare the brutal realities of women's oppression, to "Apologies to the People of Lebanon," a scathing critique of Israeli policies towards Palestinians, Jordan's poetry is marked by a ferocity of vision that few poets can match. She is unapologetic about her own humanity, refusing to be bound by narrow categories or identities.
Through her students' essays and tributes, we see Jordan as a teacher, mentor, and guide - someone who saw in every student a spark of potential for social justice and activism. Her most famous course, "Poetry for the People," was more than just a classroom exercise; it was a communal experiment in empathy and understanding.
The final section of the anthology, featuring a conversation between Angela Davis, Prathiba Parma, and Leigh Raiford, is a testament to Jordan's legacy - a call to arms that refuses to be silenced. As Raiford so eloquently puts it, "the conversation" is an opportunity "to learn together the depth of her radical commitments, the incisiveness of her pen, and the expansiveness of her vision of liberation."
In short, June Jordan's poetry remains a vital, urgent call to arms in these trying times. Her courage, compassion, and unyielding commitment to justice are a powerful antidote to the toxic politics that threaten to engulf us all.
As the editor of "This Unruly Witness: June Jordan's Legacy," a collection of essays by literary luminaries who knew the poet firsthand, Lauren Muller et al. have done a remarkable job in capturing the essence of Jordan's oeuvre - an unyielding commitment to love, justice, and human rights that defies easy categorization or reduction.
Jordan was a masterful wordsmith, capable of weaving together fragments of personal history, politics, and culture into a rich tapestry of poetry that continues to shock and inspire. Her work is not just a reflection of her own experiences as a black woman, lesbian, and activist, but also a searing indictment of the systems that seek to contain and oppress.
From "Poem About My Rights," which laid bare the brutal realities of women's oppression, to "Apologies to the People of Lebanon," a scathing critique of Israeli policies towards Palestinians, Jordan's poetry is marked by a ferocity of vision that few poets can match. She is unapologetic about her own humanity, refusing to be bound by narrow categories or identities.
Through her students' essays and tributes, we see Jordan as a teacher, mentor, and guide - someone who saw in every student a spark of potential for social justice and activism. Her most famous course, "Poetry for the People," was more than just a classroom exercise; it was a communal experiment in empathy and understanding.
The final section of the anthology, featuring a conversation between Angela Davis, Prathiba Parma, and Leigh Raiford, is a testament to Jordan's legacy - a call to arms that refuses to be silenced. As Raiford so eloquently puts it, "the conversation" is an opportunity "to learn together the depth of her radical commitments, the incisiveness of her pen, and the expansiveness of her vision of liberation."
In short, June Jordan's poetry remains a vital, urgent call to arms in these trying times. Her courage, compassion, and unyielding commitment to justice are a powerful antidote to the toxic politics that threaten to engulf us all.
...like, don't get me wrong, her work is incredible and she's an amazing poet, but isn't it possible that her message is just a reflection of her own experiences and biases? I mean, can we really say that her poetry is applicable to everyone and not just the people who share similar backgrounds and perspectives?
. I mean, her poetry was always fire, but it's crazy to think she wrote so much stuff back in the day... like, before social media even existed 
. It's wild how her work still resonates today, you know? The way she tackled tough topics like sexism and racism, and still managed to be unapologetically herself... that's like, totally inspiring 
. I can only imagine what it would've been like to take one of her classes, "Poetry for the People", back in the day 
. Anyway, this collection is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry or just wants to be reminded of the power of words 
.
I'm still blown away by the power of June Jordan's poetry 
. As a student, I had the chance to take her course "Poetry for the People" and it was life-changing 
. Her legacy lives on through her students' essays and tributes, and it's giving me chills just thinking about it 
.
she was like a superhero of words nd her poetry is still so relevant today 
and can u believe she was a teacher too? 
i wish i had her as a prof when i was in uni lol 
her legacy is literally inspiring me to be more outspoken nd passionate about social justice 
I'm so tired of reading about people who try to divide us with their hate speech and anger. 
But then I read about June Jordan's poetry and it's like a breath of fresh air 
. Her words are powerful, passionate, and unapologetic 
. And what I love most is how she brings people together through her writing and teaching 
. It's like she knows that we're all in this together 
I mean, I know June Jordan was a total icon and all, but can't they just put out a decent-sized book for like, $15 or something? 
. I think what really resonates is how she saw potential in everyone, especially her students, and encouraged them to use their voices for change 
. Her writing is like a breath of fresh air - it's raw, honest, and unapologetic 
. And the conversations between her students and other activists are just so thought-provoking 
.
. And let's talk about her impact on women's rights - did you know that only 1% of poetry anthologies published between 1990-2015 featured women authors of color? 