Too Black Too Strong

by Benjamin Zephaniah

This collection is Benjamin Zephaniah's first new book of poems in five years. It addresses the struggles of black Britain more forcefully than all his previous books. With poems like ""Chant of a Homesick Nigga"" and ""Kill Them Before Ramadan,"" he shows that he's a poet who won't stay silent, who doesn't pull any punches, writing out of a sense of urgency and a commitment to social justice. He opens this hard-hitting and blackly funny book of poems with an outspoken comment on where he's coming from, setting his poetry against the political landscape of Britain. Zephaniah was born in Birmingham and grew up in Jamaica and Handsworth, where he was jailed for burglary. After prison he turned to music and poetry. In 1989 he was nominated for Oxford Professor of Poetry. His other books of poetry include City Psalms and Propa Propaganda.

Genres: Poetry, Race, British Literature, Nonfiction

87 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

A British-Jamaican writer, dub poet and Rastafari. He was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008.

Reviews

[Bethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of poets, especially modern ones, are kind of 'blah' or overly self-conscious with their art but Zephaniah has something to say - the title Too Black, Too Strong is a good one that sums it up - and that I love. I love how he has a purpose and strength of feeling, a conscience - not only to ethnic minorities and women amongst other peoples, but towards animals - and his poems are wonderfully done in that they are able to create a situation - say, the arrival of shiploads of black people in Britain or the Palestinians in Bethlehem at Christmas, or the black boy from Birmingham where Zephaniah himself was born - and then movingly convey feeling that makes you think, or is inspiring and rousing.

The poems rhyme and they flow with a readability. These poems are largely political and social. My only criticism would be that sometimes I feel that he veers too wildly left as a somewhat radical visionary rather than considering that there can be drawbacks or justifications for both sides in cases.

Zephaniah is not a coward like so many writers and poets can be, in other words. Or they simply don't actually even suffer or experience strong enough discontent with what is wrong with the world in their privileged and myopic views. Either way, this is refreshing and the best thing that I've read in a long time. I enjoyed it.

[Andrew H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zephaniah at his best, seriously comical -- written with energy and sharp irony.

[Emma Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry enables the discovery of history from the emotional and personal perception of the writer and the reader. Unlike history books and adaptations, poetry allows us to make our own meaning and decisions regarding history and we can therefore interpret them to our own understanding.

Zephaniah's well crafted and strongly worded poems evoke a multitude of emotions. In this collection of poems Zephaniah examines the injustices facing minorities in Britain. He lays them bare and peels away the layers of discrimination, hatred and ignorance. He does not wish to punish society but instead seeks justice and a voice for the targeted minorities.

Of all the poems in the collection it is 'The Men From Jamaica Are Settling Down' which stirred me the most. The title of the poem is taken from a Peter Fryer article written for a national newspaper The Daily Worker focusing on the progression of the passengers of the SS Empire Windrush. However, Zephaniah focuses on the reality of the Jamaicans coming to England, the need to get used to a new world, a new life and a new attitude. Zephaniah opens up the experiences of the Caribbean men and women for audiences to understand. What stemmed from hope and new beginnings came acts of fascism and racism which the 'Men from Jamaica' learn to resist.

With Black History Month playing such a poignant part in primary school education this poem in particular can be used in citizenship lessons to highlight equality of all. Furthermore, it can also be used in conjunction with KS2 English lessons on poetry. Zephaniah's dub poetry is unlike any other, the dialect makes it all more alive for children and can aid them in using similar techniques to write their own Caribbean themed poems.

[Oran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's unintended but the most chilling thing about this collection is how the social issues that Zephaniah (racism, prejudice, war, etc.) are still poignant today. If you presented this to someone and did not tell them when it was published and asked them when these poems were written they'd likely say in the last few years, not 2001.

What Zephaniah lacks in the elaborate metres and metaphorical trappings of the poetry priesthood, he makes up for an impassioned punk-like honesty, so brutal you cannot turn away. It will have echoes on how I think about poetry going forward.

Recommended for the beginner and experienced reader alike. You'll likely feel something new.

[Cathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In agreement with other reviews: the issues Benjamin Zephaniah writes about are still incredibly prevalent and relevant today, especially the poems about police brutality hit hard. His poetic voice is unique, I wish I'd already read something like this in school or at university (curriculum so white).

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some bangin' poetry. Enjoyable, and emotionally moving political, personal, cultural stuff.

Not the most in-depth political analysis etc., but it is poetry, so largely that is because of the form and aim.

[Jayne Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring collection of poems from such a talented man

[Rachel Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab as always. Best when heard spoken aloud by the legend himself

[Henry Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something deeply bittersweet and upsetting about reading Zepheniah’s political poetry. In his words he reflects on his exasperation at nothing changing. He talks of social injustice and the burning desire to not just be seen but heard.

And this was written in the 2000s.

And nothing really seems to have changed.

And Benjamin Zepheniah has passed away now. And his infectious zeal and energy, and lyricism and unashamed use of his own voice in the way he wants; all of this called for so much and was ultimately… ignored?

He’s a superb poet and one I want to read so much more of. It’s just an eerie feeling to read his introduction, written in the 2000s, complain of societal racism, systematic prejudice in the police system, genocide in Gaza. It’s all too relevant 20 years on.

[Derry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding collection of heartfelt poetry and song that highlights the never changing racism inherent in the UK and the world. I wish more people would read and understand Zephaniah's words.

[Julie Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading such powerful poetry. Sadly some of the things that were written about still exist today. Recommend. My favourite poem was What If which is a modern take on If by Rudyard Kipling.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Your mother is so special
She is unique and precious,
She shines in a galaxy of women,
She is a tender one and only,
But there are so many mothers like her,
That's the bad news Ricky,
There are more mothers crying."

This book is relevant (sadly, though it was published 16 years ago), powerful and committed to social justice. For all races, genders and species. I looked up a lot of people and events inspired by this book, and that gave context to the passion of these poems. I didn't love every poem, but overall this collection was moving and intriguing. I love Benjamin Zephaniah's writing style; blunt and to the point but with a super smart rhyme and flow. My favourite poems from this collection are To Ricky Reel, Having a Word, We People Too, Anti-Slavery Movements and The One Minutes of Silence.

"Dis is me invading the blank page with my
endless aerodynamic pen, driven like
optimistic hope, driven, raging,
desperate, hungry, inspired by the
chit-chat overheard on stinky smoky
buses
turned on by the politics of the kitchen."

[George Wolstenholme]

This collection of poetry is easily one of my favourites. The work examines issues that are increasingly relevant today such as race, equality, and politics.

As a teacher, I found Zephaniah's works to be incredibly valuable. Introducing topics such as these to young people is a delicate but very necessary thing to do, and to present them through literature and poetry provides an opportunity to begin these discussions. One must never underestimate a child's or a young person's ability to understand and have an awareness of these topics.

As a work of literature it is a perfect example of how diverse the concept of poetry can truly be, and that the conventions of standard English can be subverted or even outright broken to create new works of art that reflect the author's cultural identity.

[Jose Luis Ariza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since Zephaniah died a few months ago I wanted to read some of his poems. It has been an interesting journey through Too Black, too strong. I can see now that he’s more than what I learnt at university, but also that his poetry needed to be enjoyed in performances, and that some of his poems needed some extra context since some of them were focused on racist incidents or so.
Here some lines from the collection:

Three Black Males
“We are only in white nations
When we win them gold in sports”

To Ricky Reel
“Every time I look at Malcolm X
Clinging to my bedroom wall
I wonder what means are necessary”

[Lara Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not normally reach for ooks of poetry, but in 2020 it felt important to emerse myself in black culture. With a strong political conscious the rhyming verse in this book did this but so much more. The book leaves me with a desire to fight for equality of all kinds, particularly of races, genders and an appreciation of the role of animals.

[Roger Mckenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I’ve never read this before is completely beyond me? I’m basically just going to carry this around with me everywhere!

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zephaniah's passionate eye exposes racial issues in this brief book of poignant poems. Four stars.

[Sheikh Mohammad]

the word "nigga" is quite disturbing

[Jaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Zepheniah is one of my only heros or people i have looked up to thruout my life. the only one who will make me read poetry!

[jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

spectacular

[Antonio Hehir · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Too Black, Too Strong, Zephaniah, sacrifices the art of poetry to get across a political message, but he does this knowingly. "I have no wish to write to win awards." he writes in the introduction. I feel that this collection lacks strength in creativity and poetic devise, but having said that, Zephaniah's message is both compelling and powerful, and his strength in rhythm is an effective way of getting it across. Zephaniah pulls no punches in his address of the struggles facing the black community in Britain, and he does so with a great sense of urgency. Despite this book being published over 10 years ago, the poetry remains very relevant, which is, perhaps, a damning indictment on the lack of progress made.

[Kandy Stipler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Godfather of beat is back ! One of the best works of his time and certainly the topical issues revisted and reignited with the flame of passion he holds in his very being . Always breaking the rules always experimenting with styles he is one of the best , most convincing poets of today . Read with pride .

[Dane Cobain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Black, Too Strong is a relatively new book of Zephaniah’s poetry, and I’d probably say that it’s one of my favourites. In it, Zephaniah examines some issues which are pretty typical of his work – race, equality and politics. Interestingly enough, it was written while working with barristers on the Stephen Lawrence case, a black British man who was murdered in a race hate attack.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be added later...

[Zubyre Parvez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring writings.

[Lee Wainwright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not convinced performance poetry always works great on the page, and the title is quite racist, but I sympathize with Zephaniah's anti-establishment theme.

[Amys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind. "The Men From Jamaica are Settling Down" a definite favourite.