We’ve entered an era of emboldened neoracism so, for Black History Month, I thought I would research important, but maybe lesser known, African Americans.
One of the first African American poets to gain national and international recognition was Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906). 1/9
One of the first African American poets to gain national and international recognition was Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906). 1/9
Comments
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
6/9
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
7/9