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Book Review: "In Search of Blackness" by Azaan Kamau
http://www.gbmnews.com/articles/2201/1/Book-Review--quotIn-Search-of-Blacknessquot-by-Azaan-Kamau/Page1.html
Paul Dunbar
Seeking out poetry and literature articles on the Internet. Attributing this service to the spirit of a great African American writer 
By Paul Dunbar
Published on 12/8/2007
 

The book is a poetic biographical journey from childhood to womanhood. Azaan feels that Spirit used her as a tool to share these words, so that the world would embrace and love all unconditionally.

This book is emotionally charged from beginning to end with pain, love, passion, and triumph! This book gives voice to a collection of life’s stories, some through a child’s eyes!

The poems express many things people feel or think, but don’t have the courage to say. The book is a vivid look into society and the world as a whole.


In The Midst of My Blackness

I know I come from a tribe of Queens.
Strong women, teachers and warriors.
I was told the stories of my mothers before me living to die.
Freezing and sick in the stomach of a ship.
Dehumanized by a whip and chains.
Sacrificed life for the wealth of someone else.

Blood of my mothers dripped in vain.
Misunderstood arthritis-ridden knuckles.
Losing count of yellow ape babies stolen at dawn.
Starring at the noose from the porch,
While shadows run from the hoods of the night.


Please continue to "Full Story" for the entire poem.
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Azaan is a nationally syndicated journalist, poet, and photographer. She is the former Editor of SBC and GBF Magazines. Currently she is the Creative Director of the new STUD Magazine. Azaan has also written for numerous publications, and has two published books. Azaan is currently part of the Virgin Moon Entertainment Production team, an independent film and television company. Virgin Moon’s most recent film success is My Nappy Roots, a documentary about the African Diaspora’s relationship and spirituality with their hair. Azaan has shared her amazing poetry at several Underground exhibits at the prestigious Getty Museum. Azaan uses her writing as tools to educate, empower, and uplift all people. Azaan believes through knowledge and understanding there is no force that can oppress us.
Book Review: "In Search of Blackness" by Azaan Kamau

The book is a poetic biographical journey from childhood to womanhood. Azaan feels that Spirit used her as a tool to share these words, so that the world would embrace and love all unconditionally.

This book is emotionally charged from beginning to end with pain, love, passion, and triumph! This book gives voice to a collection of life’s stories, some through a child’s eyes! The poems express many things people feel or think, but don’t have the courage to say. The book is a vivid look into society and the world as a whole.


In The Midst of My Blackness

I know I come from a tribe of Queens.
Strong women, teachers and warriors.
I was told the stories of my mothers before me living to die.
Freezing and sick in the stomach of a ship.
Dehumanized by a whip and chains.
Sacrificed life for the wealth of someone else.

Blood of my mothers dripped in vain.
Misunderstood arthritis-ridden knuckles.
Losing count of yellow ape babies stolen at dawn.
Starring at the noose from the porch,
While shadows run from the hoods of the night.


Abhorrence, racism, sexism hitting and whipping their flesh.
Scared by the wake of hate.
Abuse and misuse.
Generations of hope and dreams upon their backs.
While never filters from their eyes.

In the midst of my blackness I saw my mother.
They instructed, do as you're told.
Taught to obey her man,
Her men while carrying her nation in her stomach.
Her obedience became surrender as she wailed for freedom.

She carried those babies who were forced upon her youth.
Draining the oasis of her heart while
Standing in lines at soup kitchens with the neighbor's hungry children.
Making sure we came into the world, while she died young and angry.
Watching from the distance as the system stole us and created jaded offspring.

She was forced not to feel, to need, to be needed.
Camouflaged hope, barbiturates and venom in her veins.
All while holding her head high.
She was expected to give all and expect nothing in return.
No feeling, no comfort, no energy, no solace.

In the midst of my blackness I saw women.
All women, Black women, women of color running.
Running to their emotion, their voice.
Dying from within while passion tries to trickle from their eyes.
Running to the existence of life and living.
Submerging, as civil rights become slamming doors.

The reflection of struggle, deflection, and rejection.
Some with futile hopes and dreams.
Trails of tears and stolen land.
Our women at war with being human.

We give the universe our all while charlatan smiles gleam through the darkness.
Perpetuated mortality traveling through the centuries.
Fueling the millennium with new blood.

This collective oppression has given us strength.
We are beauty, power and integrity.

This is what I was told.
This is what I know in the midst of my blackness


To purchase Click Here

Azaan is a nationally syndicated journalist, poet, and photographer. She is the former Editor of SBC and GBF Magazines. Currently she is the Creative Director of the new STUD Magazine. Azaan has also written for numerous publications, and has two published books. Azaan is currently part of the Virgin Moon Entertainment Production team, an independent film and television company. Virgin Moon’s most recent film success is My Nappy Roots, a documentary about the African Diaspora’s relationship and spirituality with their hair. Azaan has shared her amazing poetry at several Underground exhibits at the prestigious Getty Museum. Azaan uses her writing as tools to educate, empower, and uplift all people. Azaan believes through knowledge and understanding there is no force that can oppress us.