I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans

by Arnold Adoff

First published in 1968, this anthology was one of the first collections of African American poetry specifically created with the young reader in mind. Along with selections from Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, this newly updated version features poems by such contemporary poets as Maya Angelou, Ishmael Reed, Rita Dove, and others. This is a comprehensive reflection of the African-American voice and culture. Young Adult.

Genres: Poetry, African American, Anthologies, Young Adult

139 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an anthology of black poets, and it’s stunning. My library copy is full of post it’s, and i need my own copy now!
I just noticed the editor is white. This disappoints me.

[Tonya Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry

This book is a very powerful collection of poems written by African Americans. Some poems were lighthearted and happy and others were written with anger and dismay. They talked about everything from slavery, to discrimination, to love, to the earth, to being comfortable in your own skin. What is great about this book, is that no matter who is reading it, there is a poem that they can relate to in the book. Everyone has had a struggle in life, and these poems embody the everyday struggles of African Americans. This is a great book for youth to be exposed to so they can gain insight into some of this great literature written by African Americans. It is not too often that works like these are showcased and it would be great to have students read and learn using this collection.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 1968 edition, so my reading of the poems were guided by Charlemae Rollins' foreword - which situates the "dark-skinned child" as actively presenting "a culture as spontaneous as it is unrecognized" in their city home, which Rollins argues is "the environment which brings the greatest pressure and produces the greatest literature in our time" (ii). Adoff's preface follows, which explains that "this anthology was created to present good, interesting, and evocative poems by Negro Americans," as "There is a need for Negroes to know of and experience through the eyes of other Negroes how it has been and how it is to be a Negro in American, and for whites to become familiar with this part of their American heritage through the vision of life as Negroes in this country see it" (iv). The collection of poems is a strong reflection of the best poems of the time- with contributions from Amiri Baraka (under LeRoi Jones), Gwendolyn Brooks, Jean Toomer, and Mari Evans. By framing the anthology as being specifically for youth and including some really interesting illustrations makes this collection even more worthwhile to study many years later.

[Valerie Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book of poems from different people of African descent. Langston Hughes poem Juke Box love song is beautiful, in one of his books he talks a lot about Harlem and you can tell that this poem was written while he was in Harlem. Nikki-Rosa by Nikki Giovanni wrote a poem about herself and the life she experience with her family life in her younger days. A song in the front yard by Gwendolyn Brooks is a favorite of mines, She talks about wanting to play with the charity children before they grow up and lose the playfulness of innocence. A time before jail comes into the picture and a time before little girls grow into be a bad women. These poems are poems that give young people a sneak peek into the lives of different African Americans Lives and how they feel about different things. A collect of beautiful poems all put together in one book from one culture.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology of poems by some of America’s most prolific black writers aims at connecting contemporary youth with the racial injustices of the past—ones that in many ways continue to haunt Americans today. Featuring poems from powerful poets such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Audre Lorde, among others, I Am the Darker Brother focuses specifically on matters of genealogy, remembrance, and hope, no matter the adversities. The anthology also includes notes on the poems, biographies on the poets, two indexes, and a foreword by famed author and activist Nikki Giovanni. Poignant and evocative, I Am the Darker Brother is an essential read for the youth of today’s Americans. Highly recommended.

[Alia Sheya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am The Darker Brother written by Arnold Adoff is a fantastic book of African American poems for children and even adults. The poems are very culturally accurate about being a male and being black in America. The poems are happy, sad, upsetting, informative and humbling. I loved how these poems were truthful and yet relatable to all skin colors and ages. I loved how each poems brought thinking to the reader and I find this to be a great tool to use when teaching this is a great way to get your students interested in poetry, history and getting them to think while doing so.

[Jayda W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am the Darker Brother is a book about multiple African American authors divided into four different sections, about four different things. They go through the book to explain how they feel as an African American male or Female, and their ancestors. I recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry, and likes African American authors. You get a chance to get inside of the authors head, and evaluate their feelings about our ancestry, and being a African American, considering our horrific past. I definitely would re-read this book over, because I give it a five out of five.

[Emily Kroness · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I am the Darker Brother" is a collection of poems written by famous African American authors compiled by Arnold Adoff. All of these poens are grouped together for a specific reason, they are said to expose the essential African American, strong, independent, and proud. This book is a good way to show children different cultures. Especially because there is a plethora of authors to choose from that all convey a different message and show different aspects of a culture.

[Katherine Settle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book! However, I think it could be over some children's heads, and they not understand as well as adults do. This book consists of poems about african americans. Some children may not see the importance of these types of books as adults might. It discusses about a hard working independent human and the power of his soul. I would not recommend reading this exact one to students, but I do recommend reading something with diversity in it.

[Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book because it brought every emotion through these poems. Everyone has problems and in this book it reflects on certain problems African Americans faced during those times. This book is also great for the younger population so they can read and learn about African American literature. Another great thing about this book is that no matter a persons problem, there is a poem you can relate to in this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A generally great and simple anthology, with a fairly diverse bunch of poets and poems. Both the introduction (my edition was introduced by Nikki Giovanni) and the afterword were interesting and added to the experience. I think it could have used a few more selections by women but generally I really enjoyed this collection.

[Carolyn U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy is from 1968, the second printing of this anthology. While I understand it was 1968, the anthology featured three black female poets. I hope the newer editions feature more black women, and especially black trans poets.

This copy was an ode to Langston Hughes. He, too, sang America.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to rub the ink off the words and make myself a darker sister. Amazing collection. Highly recommended. Includes the best of the best (black) poets.

[Kesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most poems explores the hardships of African Americans. I look forward to an anthology that explores the beauty and celebrate the culture.

[Mickey Reville · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great collection of poems illustrating the lives of African Americans. A great book to teach diversity and African American history.

[slauderdale]

Christ, Goodreads, why can't you let me do what I want? In this case, why can't you let me log that I read two different editions of this book:

I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by Negro Americans (Hardcover) (1968)
Includes a foreword by Charlemae Rollins and preface by editor Arnold Adoff, with notes for the poems and biographies for the poets at the end.
I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans (Hardcover) (1997)
Includes an introduction by Rudine Sims Bishop, foreword by Nikki Giovanni, and afterword by Arnold Adoff, with notes for the poems and revised biographies of the poets (some of whom had died since the first edition) at the end.

No poems were removed in the creation of the new edition, and the original thematic sections with their titles ("Like I Am," "Genealogy," "Shall Be Remembered," etc.), plus drawings by Benny Andrews, were preserved.

I don't always enjoy/appreciate a poem the first time I read it, so reading the second edition was a nice way to revisit this collection, with 21 newer poems added along the way.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked:
'The Still Voice of Harlem'
'After the Winter'

[Rachel Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome anthology by Arnold Adoff with his phenomenal letter at the end and helpful biographies of the poets.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of Black poetry on subjects of love, turmoil, resilience, nature, and beauty.

[Jacob White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of everything I love about Black Poetry.

[Jordan]

favorites/revisit:
o daedalus, fly away home x robert hayden
those winter sundays x robert hayden
dust bowl x robert a. davis
memorial wreath x dudley randall
southern mansion x arna bontemps

[Lanna Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overall stunning piece of black literature. Every poem was beautifully crafted, each with a unique perspective on the black experience.

[Adi G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology definitely encapsulated a time period. Or at least the idea and stereotypes I have about that era. Many of the feelings I caught from the poetry were familiar.

I'm so much more excited thinking about what an anthology of Black poets would look like today. I feel like this one by Arnold Adoff has almost identical experiences of racism, family, and culture.

To see more intersectional Black experiences would pique my interest.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really made me realize the meaning of value, of life,color and truth

[Colleen Villasenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my first reactions to this book was one of anger. Why were more of these poets not familiar to me? This is a wonderful anthology of poetry by African American writers. It is aimed at young adults, but the depth and power of the poetry are moving at any age. The original edition was released in 1968. This updated version includes female poets that were not in the original. It also has notes on some of the poems and brief biographies of the poets. I was familiar with some of the writers, Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, Maya Angelou, but many were new to me despite having written in the 20s and 30s. The poems cover a wide breadth of the African-American experience, family, music, work, joy, hope, and the horrors of slavery and lynching. One of the poems, If We Must Die by Claude McKay, was quoted by Winston Churchill to urge the United States to join forces in WWII. I wondered why Churchill was familiar with the poem but I don't remember hearing it in my literature classes. These are poems that need to be taught and shared, especially now when we need more insight into the lives of those around us. These poems are a small window into the experience of being Black in America.

Reading this book again, I took the time to really read and savor each poem. These are poems filled with pain and beauty and love. Some of it is absolutely heart-wrenching like the poem "Middle Passage" about the voyage of slave ships. There is haunting beauty in the poem "Beehive". The poem "If We Must Die" is so powerful that Winston Churchill quoted it to motivate the US to join Europe in the fight against Germany. I find some irony in that considering how Black troops were treated when they got home. There are many poems in existence about lost love but the tragedy expressed in the poem "Song for a Dark Girl" by Langston Hughes is stunning in its simplicity as it sings of losing your love to a lynching. These poems continue to influence modern writers and well they should. For me the heartbreak is how little has changed after so much work and promise. I am crushed to see so much of our country still in the mindset that evinced the most tragic of these poems

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this collection poignant and educational for younger readers, but I believe that it is an absolutely essential read for the youth of America. Too quickly people forget about the past, and these poems are necessary in order that history doesn’t continue to repeat itself. There are so many phenomenal gems by well-known authors and poets throughout the 20th century, and every single one of them is still relevant to our culture today. The list of poets in this anthology is amazing, and it’s an important read for anyone in order to show us a mirror, reflecting the current state of ourselves in hopes that we will grow and expand our understanding of life and humanity.

-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com

[Linsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of poetry takes you on a range of different emotions. Each poem from the collection contains the power to evoke a different feeling from the reader, some are happy while others make you sad. I enjoyed that aspect most from the collection. I believe that this collection is a valuable and essential tool for young readers. Both historical and educational, these poems remain relevant in today’s cultural society. Being a fan of African American history and literature I can confidently recommend this book to any reader that wants a to see a different perspective on African American heritage. I would strongly suggest this collection of poems for older readers, perhaps 5th grade and up.

[Madison Johnson]

I think that this book is very powerful. I really like how it celebrates culutre and the beauty of the african american culutre. Where as most express the hardships. It talks about everything from slavery, to love, earth, beauty, discrimination, culture, and life as an african american. As someone who is white reading these really puts some things in prosepective. Sometimes as a different race you never really hear the true side of things and I think this really explains alot of the things you never hear. I think its great for young children to read this to learn about the past and how we can grow as human beings and expand our understanding of different races.

[Sherita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of poems that focues on the history of African American Hertiages. In this book you can find anthology of poems from modern day poems; from writers such as Maya Angelou, Langton Hughes,Claude McKay, and several more. In these collection you can find poems ranging from hardship to indepence. This book to me gives a brigther vision of the future for African Americans. This book also is a book that focuses on the words of the book moreso than the illustration and for this reason, I would suggest this book for higher grade students like 4th or 5th.