In Search of Color Everywhere

by E. Ethelbert Miller, Terrance Cummings (Illustrator)

A collection of African-American poems, including works by Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and others, in such categories as "Freedom," "Celebration of Blackness," and "Love Poems"

Genres: Poetry, Anthologies, African American

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[W J :)]

Im thankful to have taken the time to read a collection of poetry by black folks for black folks. The introduction to this anthology hopes that it is something passed through generations to serve as a voice and a balm for the community.

Inevitably, some poems of this anthology hit me more than others. Some of the sections, such as the Love and the Music, Dance, And Sports sections, weren’t exceptionally interesting to me. I do recognize this is an anthology not built with me, a white man, at their center; naturally, some of the subject matter may be harder for me to connect to. While conceptually I really liked the idea of sections that promoted positive aspects of black life, few of the poems pertaining to those subjects really grabbed me. Sections like the Freedom and Healing sections, which dealt with black struggles in America, were much more poignant and thereby made for better reading.

My specific tastes in poetry are also related to the poems i felt drawn to. Many of the haikus and more free-verse poetry wasn’t as impactful to me; a large portion of this, I admit, is just style preference. Overall, the poems in here that were good made the whole anthology more than worth it, but not enough of them resonated to earn a 4 star rating.

Standout Pieces:
Root Song by Henry Dumas
Poem About My Rights by June Jordan
Runagate Runagate by Robert Hayden
It Is Not Just by Harriet Jacobs
Black Mother Praying by Owen Dodson
The Mother by Gwendolyn Brooks
Who by Tim Seibles

[Ellice]

A poetry anthology is almost always a mixed bag, and this one is no exception to that rule. It divides poetry written by African Americans into topical categories, like “family gatherings” and “music, dance, and sports.” Some of these, like the latter, didn’t especially appeal to me. But the sections that most directly addressed the challenging lives of Blacks in America contained many amazing and heart-shattering poems—and make the whole collection worthwhile.

[Candelaria Silva]

Have had this anthology of African-American Poetry in my collection since the 1996. Well-designed, great illustrations, and comprehensive in its range of poets. It would be great to have an updated edition of this for the 21st century. I refer to it when I'm looking for certain poems for church or other celebrations.

[Brittany Wiley]

to-read

[Shawn]

This book includes the poem, "Poem About My Rights" by June Jordan. Etheridge Knight, Alice Walker and many more are apart of this book.
Given to me by one of the most lovely women in the world...Ms. Kerik.

[Steven Jones]

very important, teaches you about basic black american history and. a wonderful to read

[Che]

Such a great collection of writers! I'm proud of this anthology!

[Joanna Chen]

A wonderful anthology to dip into. Everyone should have this.

[Tselaine]

I love Ethelbert!!

[Taryl Elizabeth]

A great collection of poems from African Americans poets. I enjoyed reading it and it is a for sure a keeper.

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for Poem Against the State (of Things): 1975 By June Jordan