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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jim Crow Song - A Poem

I have been immersed in research related to massive resistance in Virginia. In looking over old photos recently I was amazed by the sheer number and variety of segregation signs. This poem is the result of thinking a good deal about separate but equal and Jim Crow.
I've never written a poem in two voices before, but was inspired by Laura Purdie Salas' Peace Project poem.

**Photo Reference**
Halifax, North Carolina. April 1938. John Vachon, photographer. A drinking fountain on the county courthouse lawn. (Sign: "Colored")
Source: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division. LC-USZ62-100414

8 comments:

  1. Oh, Tricia! Wow.
    I'm still struggling with what kind of poem to write for this project -- as the time ticks! -- and Laura's inspired me, too. And so does this one! Wow!

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  2. (Save this one for your children's poetry book collection.)

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  3. This is fascinating..

    Thanks a lot for sharing!!

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  4. Tricia, this is beautiful and powerful. I think ALL writers have the right (and perhaps responsibility?) to address injustice in our world. Thank you for sharing this...I love it.

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  5. I love reading this aloud -- just read it with my girls. It is so accessible and has a sort of marching in the streets rhythm. Thank you...

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  6. Powerful. I'd love to hear this read aloud with a chorus and alternating voices.

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  7. Great poem to perform. As a South African, all too familiar. Though in South Africa the 'White's Only Bench' stuff, extended to death in detention and other such brutality.

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  8. I'm going to have my class learn this...ok?

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