Assignment: Comparing the Work of Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, and Mari Evans from 1960-1970

Introduction

The Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a period of great creativity and activism in the African American community. During this time, a number of talented poets emerged, including Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, and Mari Evans. These poets used their work to express the experiences of Black people in America, to challenge racism and oppression, and to celebrate Black culture and identity.

Please consider using your textbook, The Norton Anthology African American Literature, for this assignment. You will find that it is a very valuable resource. The poems and page numbers are included here.

Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni is an American poet, writer, educator, and activist. She is one of the most important and influential figures in the Black Arts Movement. Giovanni’s poetry is characterized by its directness, its humor, and its strong political message. She has written about a wide range of topics, including racism, sexism, poverty, and love.

Poems:

For Saundra pg. 1982

Beautiful Black Men pg 1983

Nikki-Rosa pg 1984

Sonia Sanchez

Sonia Sanchez is an American poet, playwright, activist, and educator. She is a pioneer in the field of Black Arts Literature. Sanchez’s poetry is known for its powerful imagery, its rhythmic cadences, and its exploration of themes such as social justice, Black identity, and the power of the word.

Poems:

homecoming pg.1903

poem at thirty pg. 1903

A Blues Book for Blue Black Magical Women pg 1905

Mari Evans

Mari Evans is an American poet, essayist, and playwright. She is a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement. Evans’ poetry is characterized by its wit, its wisdom, and its ability to capture the essence of the Black experience. She has written about a wide range of topics, including love, loss, racial injustice, and the power of hope.

Poems:Status Symbol pg. 1807I Am a Black Woman pg. 1808

Assignment

For this assignment, you will compare and contrast the work of Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, and Mari Evans. You will focus on the following:

Themes: What are the main themes of each poet’s work? How do these themes differ from each other?
Style: What is the style of each poet’s work? How do their styles differ from each other?
Impact: What was the impact of each poet’s work on the Black Arts Movement and on American poetry as a whole?
In your essay, you should be sure to provide specific examples from the poets’ work to support your arguments. You should also use evidence from secondary sources to help you understand the poets’ work and its context.

Grading

This assignment will be graded on the following criteria:

Accuracy of information: Your essay should be factually accurate and should demonstrate your understanding of the poets’ work and the Black Arts Movement.
Clarity of writing: Your essay should be well-written and easy to understand. It should be free of errors in grammar and punctuation.
Originality of thought: Your essay should demonstrate your own critical thinking and analysis.
Effectiveness of evidence: Your essay should use evidence from both primary and secondary sources to support your arguments.
Overall quality: Your essay should be well-organized and should present a clear and persuasive argument.
Resources

Giovanni, Nikki. Black Feeling, Black Talk. Simon and Schuster, 1970.
Sanchez, Sonia. Homecoming. Broadside Press, 1969.
Evans, Mari. I Am the Black Woman. Third World Press, 1970.
The Black Arts Movement: A Historical Overview. The Library of Congress.
Poets of the Black Arts Movement. The Poetry Foundation.