For #BlackHistoryMonth, today I honor Claude McKay—his fierce, unflinching poetry in works like If We Must Die and America challenged oppression and ignited resistance. His words still burn with power. If you haven’t read him, you’re missing out. New poems by me below. #poetry #blueskypoets #poems - ThreadSky

bigjosh84.bsky.social • 18 hours ago

For #BlackHistoryMonth, today I honor Claude McKay—his fierce, unflinching poetry in works like If We Must Die and America challenged oppression and ignited resistance. His words still burn with power. If you haven’t read him, you’re missing out. New poems by me below.

#poetry #blueskypoets #poems

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Comments

boukat.bsky.social•17 hours ago

Excellent. All.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Thanks so much, Boukat! I really appreciate the kind words!

cynthia34morgan.bsky.social•17 hours ago

Claude McKay is a great man

bigjosh84.bsky.social•15 hours ago

I agree, Cynthia—Claude McKay’s work is powerful and timeless. Thanks for sharing that thought!

cynthia34morgan.bsky.social•15 hours ago

You’re preciously welcome.. his work is a legacy : I’m glad you know him too Joshua

garthman.bsky.social•4 hours ago

Thanks Josh

faydog.bsky.social•17 hours ago

I particularly like Lemn Sissay’s work.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•15 hours ago

I’m feeling like that shows you’re probably English. I love Sissay’s stuff myself particularly Lazybones and Firesermon, but he’s still largely unknown on my side of the pond for most people.

faydog.bsky.social•17 hours ago

Also, it’s an ongoing disgrace that the poetry taught in universities is still so white European centred. It’s gradually improving in the uk but there are many US poets I’m not aware of. I graduated in English back in the 1980’s - it was unbelievably narrow in focus.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•15 hours ago

I agree, CJ. The narrow focus on white European poets has been a long-standing issue in academia, and it’s great to see the conversation expanding, there’s still a lot of work to be done. It’s vital to recognize the breadth of voices and that make up poetry. Thanks for sharing that perspective!

faydog.bsky.social•17 hours ago

Thanks, I’m always glad of poetry recommendations.

bigjosh84.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Thanks for reading, CJ! I’m glad you’re open to recommendations—hope this one hit the mark for you!

bigjosh84.bsky.social•18 hours ago

McKay’s poetry is fire—unyielding, defiant, and deeply lyrical. His sonnets, like The Tropics in New York and The White House, don’t just speak; they fight. His influence runs deep in my work. If you haven’t read him, you should start today.

#BlackHistoryMonth #Poetry #BlueskyPoets #Poems