Black Under

by Ashanti Anderson

Poetry. African & African American Studies. LGBTQIA Studies. Winner of the Spring 2020 Black River Chapbook Competition. The poem from which Black Under derives its title opens with a resounding declaration: "I am black and black underneath." These words are an anthem that reverberates throughout Ashanti Anderson's debut short collection. We feel them as we navigate her poems' linguistic risks and shifts and trumpets; as we straddle scales that tip us toward trauma's still-bloody knife in one turn then into cutting wit and shrewd humor in the next. We hear them amplified through Anderson's dynamic voice; which sings of anguish and atrocities and also of discovery and beauty.

Black Under layers outward perception with internal truth to offer an almost-telescopic examination of the redundancies—and incongruences—of marginalization and hypervisibility. Anderson torques the contradictions of oppression; giving her speakers the breathing room to discover their own agency. In these pages; declarations are reclamations; and joy is not an aspiration but a birthright.

Genres: Poetry, Disability, LGBT, Queer, Race, African American

30 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[Ebony (EKG)]

Some of the best poetry I’ve read.

[ishika]

read this while waiting for my flight to start boarding.. some of the poems genuinely gave me chills

[Christina]

You might not be ready for this book, cause I know I wasn’t. However, it’s here and this book is not going anywhere. Ashanti Anderson has done a truly remarkable job here. In a short book of 30 pages she has blown my mind. She is a master storyteller, phenomenal linguist, and artful creator in her wordsmithing. You cannot categorize her work. She cannot be fit into a box, and will likely shoot out of a cannon if you try to manipulate and mold her work into something it’s not.

This book, Black Under, defies what poetry is supposed to look like, what it’s supposed to read like; how it’s supposed to make you feel.

Her metaphors are rapturous, and makes me want to live in her words forever. She is unflinching and unapologetic as she digs deep into our history. We are Black AF, and Black Under, and she demands everyone to know as such.

Some poems that will forever be etched in my mind are:
- Ode to Black Skin
- Slave Ship Haibun
- The Body Recalls
- Answer to an Earnest Prayer

Poetry is very subjective. Though these poems may not fit for many, you cannot deny the genius of Anderson’s words. Her words go within. Under your skin. Taking hold to every captive thought. This collection deserves all the attention and praise. Very well done.

Thank you to the author Ashanti Anderson, and Nanda at Coriolis, and Black Lawrence Press for this amazing collection and I cannot wait to hear more from Ashanti Anderson.

[Sage Moon]

Quick Take

Ashanti Anderson’s Black Under is an eclectic collection of writings that celebrates the black, queer, disabled experience.

Tell Me More

I am fond of poetry, but don’t always have the opportunity to read such vital and unique pieces as those that are part of Ashanti Anderson’s Black Under. Even though this collection of poetry and writings is short, each piece provides the reader with an awakening to new experiences and history that is often glossed over or cast into the shadows. Anderson forces the reader to open their eyes and face everything about the black, queer, disabled experience that is rarely exposed. Black Under opened my eyes and expanded my empathy through the most unique collection of writings I have read to date, and I am sure it is a collection that I will be revisiting again and again.

Anderson writes from her heart and presents the reader with all of her innermost thoughts and realizations about her existence, and those around her. At times Black Under is uncomfortable, and that is the absolute beauty of it. It forces the reader to face things that we might otherwise turn from, and I feel changed after reading Anderson’s collection of writings.

If you are interested in poetry or short writings that reveal the marginalized parts of our society and history while also revealing the beauty of our differences, Black Under is sure to be a gem you will adore. I am not surprised that this work of art won the Spring 2020 Black River Chapbook Competition, and it deserves all of the praise. Pick up Black Under for a quick read that will stick with you for a long time. You are sure to be changed.

[Meg Tuite]

It's not one to put down until you've finished and then to begin again! Absolutely mesmerizing, powerful, and unforgettable! Some quotes:
"I do my best to imitate, bent and open like the shotgun loading, like the half-bitten moon, like misread scripture, like your arched and aching back, the grooves wide enough for my fingertips to ride your river of flesh–"
"Bowtie so tight my throat yodels, hat stiff as mean lady lips, teeth crowded and white as my audience. Hair and shoes both spit-shined, shit grin wide, belt buckle makes a fool of sunshine."
"they give me top dollar to monologue their wrongs."

BLACK RIVER CHAPBOOK COMPETITION WINNER: BLACK LAWRENCE PRESS
Get a copy! It's a quick read that packs a deep memory in its masterful language! LOVE!

[Leigh R (:]

I personally don’t feel like I would be able to come up with a proper rating for a short poetry collection, since not only are these poems based on non fiction experiences, but also I feel that I have not fully grasped how to rate books under 100 pages fairly, at least as of currently. With all of this context being said, I would indeed recommend reading this poetry collection (: the representation of Black lives, objectification of black women, historical contexts/modern connections to slavers, etc! Very important discussions to read about!!

[Mike]

I think I’m going to have to read this a few more times. The poems are potent, there’s interesting use of form and language, and particularly the use of persona, which I found slippery. But I know there’s more here than what I could get in one reading.

[Matt McBride]

In language that equally keeps and reveals secrets, Ashanti Anderson shows us the unasked for labor it takes to be a black person and artist through various metaphors like job application or resignation letters. Read this and you'll be able to say you were reading Anderson before everyone else was.

[Thea Swanson]

A concise and well-crafted collection of beautiful and important gems.

[Gregory Ashe]

Powerful collection of poems, especially poignant in today's political environment. Those who fail to understand the past are doomed to repeat it.

[Cristela T]

Some of the poems gave me chills.

[alisha!]

epic five star poetry read on the very last day of 2024. how does this only have 40 reviews?!

[ne]

this collection is amazing! I cannot wait to see what else ashanti cooks up but for now, I will be sitting with these poems holding them close.

[Serena]

Black Under by Ashanti Anderson explores what it means to be Black in America and the world, but it also looks to acknowledge and tackle the inter-generational trauma of Blacks in a way that is a searing commentary on our society as well as a celebration of resilience.

Full review: https://savvyverseandwit.com/2022/02/...