Tag Archives: Black Writing from Chicago: In the World-Not of It?
Richard Wright: Hurling Words into the Darkness
Constantly criticized for being too ideological, too sociological, too sensational, and controversial for both the bluntness of his literary style, as well as the directness with which he confronted racism and injustice, Richard Wright (1908-1960) nonetheless became a towering figure … Continue reading
SLAMS: Poetry and Applause Meters
Is it? Is it unhealthy to hook poetry up to an applause meter? Is it healthier to keep it locked up in university ivory towers, like so much of it is these days? Marc Kelly Smith was thinking about all … Continue reading
Fred Hampton, Sr.: You Can Murder a Liberator, But Not Liberation
One of the most infamous incidents in Chicago history occurred at 4:45 a.m. December 4, 1969. At that moment Chicago police entered Black Panther headquarters at 2337 West Monroe, starting a one-sided gun battle that killed Panther leaders Mark Clark … Continue reading