And we rise The Civil Rights Movement in poems

This striking collection of poems documents milestones in the civil rights movement. A combination of free verse, effortless rhymes, and precise word placement evokes nuanced settings and triggers deep emotional responses. The poems build on each other, occasionally repeating passages to simulate the long, weary struggle. They address harsh circumstances and deplorable events and use accordingly harsh language and imagery (including frequent racial slurs but only in historical context or direct quote; never gratuitously). Black-and-white archival photos, newspaper headlines, quotes, and brief, one-sentence historical references provide insight and add poignancy but never interfere with the flow. While each entry can stand alone, the power is magnified when the poems are read in sequence. Back matter includes a bibliography, an annotated time line of the events, and slightly expanded versions of the incorporated quotes, adding further context. This is a strong, historically accurate collection that can enhance any social studies or language arts unit. More important, audiences will appreciate these poems that leap off the pages, bringing history, pain, dignity, and fierce determination to life.

Gr 7 Up--Short poems use negative space and concrete poetry elements to tell the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. The prelude focuses on the "Separate, but Equal" ruling, and then the narrative is broken into three sections: "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back," "Power to the People," and "The Beginning of the End." Tragedies, events, and people who were ignored by history are discussed, along with those who made the history books. The use of negative space and the occasional implementation of different fonts or concrete poetry impacts the narrative, like the visuals in a picture book. For instance, the poem "1959 March 5th" recalls the fire at the Negro Boys Industrial School in Wrightsville, AR. The word "bodies" is printed 21 times (in three columns and seven rows), referencing the number of victims "piled…one top of another." The refrain "and on and on the Blacks Marched," followed by the word "marched" repeated on the page, occurs several times within the book. Black-and-white photographs, surveys, signs, and even arrest records are included. Extensive back matter includes a time line for the poems, sources cited, a bibliography, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." VERDICT The impact of the poems in this powerful, necessary book is strengthened by the layout of the text and drives home the struggle for civil rights. A strong first purchase.--Tamara Saarinen

This collection guides readers through the era of civil rights activism that began when racial segregation in schools was deemed illegal by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education. Debut author Martin surveys events and figures from the 1950s and 1960s in poetic musings that often take advantage of their forms to situate readers in these suffocating, intense decades of racial violence. Historical photographs are juxtaposed against the text, adding to the impact. Martin's work is most effective when revealing lesser-known aspects of history--like a quiet, haunting meditation on how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. enjoyed playing pool or an ode highlighting Claudette Colvin, unsung teen precursor to Rosa Parks. However, awkward phrasing comes across as dissonant when dealing with the horrors discussed throughout, as with these lines: "This is the story of Emmett Till / about the way he was ultimately killed // he crossed his murderers at / Bryant's Grocery and Meat Market / no one would save him / no one would stop it." Readers who overlook the sometimes-underwhelming craft elements will appreciate places where the writing shines, as when a participant in the Memphis sanitation strike wonders: "3/5 of a man, / am I / still?" Sparse, accessible pieces to connect budding poets to history, marred by inconsistent quality. (author's note, timeline, quotation sources, image credits, further reading, bonus content) (Poetry. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

It's 1877 when Jim Crow laws say it's acceptable legal lawful to segregate Blacks & whites based on the color of their skin. In schools hospitals churches cemeteries prisons public transit restaurants--- if you were not white you were lesser less than human. For years & years & years & years nothing changed, until 1954 when the Supreme Court reversed its decision & ruled segregation unconstitutional. Yet still, nothing changed. Because a ruling is only as effective as its real--world execution. the Supreme Court rules in 1896 Blacks are "Separate but Equal" yet outside in the middle of July in Birmingham, Alabama, sweat drips d o w n your forehead your neck your back drenching your shirt your shorts your socks s e p a r a t e but equal you find a water fountain your water fountain and press the small rusty button water arches up and out waiting for your puck ered lips s e p a r a t e but equal only it's hot brown tastes like dirt you glance around checking for them then sneak a sip from their fountain s e p a r a t e but equal it's cold ice--cold and refreshing you sigh s e p a r a t e but equal you are not. the Civil Rights Movement was more than just Dr. King marching, Rosa Parks sitting, Malcolm X fighting. it was your mom your grandma your best friend's great--aunt. it was everyday people like you and me. 1954 May 17 Brown v. Board of Education + inherently unequal , an unconstitutional violation of the fourteenth amendment = white schools + Black schools = a great day for America and its court. = segregation in public schools now illegal in theory. SIGNS, EVERYWHERE YOU GO . . . whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only WHITES ONLY for colored their (other) signs read funny thing is white is still a color Excerpted from And We Rise by Erica Martin All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.