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The Dedicadas: A Chapbook
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2021
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About the author
Reinfred Dziedzorm Addo
3 books3 followersReinfred Dziedzorm Addo is a Ghanaian-American writer. He is the author of the poetry collections Washed Over and The Dedicadas (shortlisted for the GAW Literary Awards and finalist in North Street Book Prize). His work, including his health humanities creative writing, has been published in various publications and by various organizations such as Tampered Press and Signs of Life: An Anthology. He currently lives in Gainesville, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 3, 2021
Incredible, thought-provoking, and clever. Honored to have been able to hear some of these amazing poems at Gainesville's CMC Po Jam! Can't wait to hear/read more from Reinfred!
July 9, 2021
“Just because I diverge from a stereotyped view does not automatically erase my Blackness. Just because I diverge from a negatively portrayed image of ‘African-American’ does not make me less black.”
The Dedicadas: A Chapbook by Reinfred Dziedzorm Addo is a collection of poetry that explores the poet’s journey from Ghana to the United States through vignettes that recount mispronunciations of his name, being relegated to “English C” for remedial English despite speaking multiple languages, as well as an interrogation if his own space space of privilege in a world where economics and education afford you a “Carlton of Belaire” role.
Addo addresses this issue in the end of “English C” with a call to action, “Let’s dialogue about different tones/ of blackness/ and whiteness/ and all the different hues of the colours-ness.” Addo’s collection is another necessary read as we try to work through America’s reckoning with racial discrimination and systemic injustice.
I first met Reinfred as a student of my AP English class in high school. As soon as this book dropped, I ordered a copy. I was a fan of his words and art back then, and now I see what an important voice his is in not only the discussion of racism, but the root issue of equity in education that sets up generational lack of access.
Reinfred has more poetic projects on the horizon, and I am excited for the world to get to know him through his words. For now I will leave you with this bit from the collection.
“Writing now is the armored garment that I sew and it affords me an avenue for the story of my life to tell.”
The Dedicadas: A Chapbook by Reinfred Dziedzorm Addo is a collection of poetry that explores the poet’s journey from Ghana to the United States through vignettes that recount mispronunciations of his name, being relegated to “English C” for remedial English despite speaking multiple languages, as well as an interrogation if his own space space of privilege in a world where economics and education afford you a “Carlton of Belaire” role.
Addo addresses this issue in the end of “English C” with a call to action, “Let’s dialogue about different tones/ of blackness/ and whiteness/ and all the different hues of the colours-ness.” Addo’s collection is another necessary read as we try to work through America’s reckoning with racial discrimination and systemic injustice.
I first met Reinfred as a student of my AP English class in high school. As soon as this book dropped, I ordered a copy. I was a fan of his words and art back then, and now I see what an important voice his is in not only the discussion of racism, but the root issue of equity in education that sets up generational lack of access.
Reinfred has more poetic projects on the horizon, and I am excited for the world to get to know him through his words. For now I will leave you with this bit from the collection.
“Writing now is the armored garment that I sew and it affords me an avenue for the story of my life to tell.”
May 6, 2022
This was a pleasure to read! The poems’ language and words introduced me to a new culture. My favorite was English C. It’s a quick read with engaging stories.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews