Society During the Black Arts Movement in the Poem For Saundra by Nikki Giovanni

Within Nikki Giovanni poem, “For Saundra”, one can assume that poem speaks about the society during the Black Arts Movement. In stanza 2. lines 879, the speaker’s neighbor asked “.t. do you ever write/ tree poems…” In line 15, Giovanni replies through her view point that the environment which she was living in was filled with asphalt…” This help reveal the image of what the mid 20th century In New York looked like with black musicians. artists. and poets trying to live and be successful in the wake of the Black Arts Movement, which emerged in the wake of the Black Power Movement.

In lines 20-21 state, “H. but all the clouds have winged low since No Dick was elected” ”No-Dick” refers to former president Richard Nixon with was in office during the Black Arts Movement.

One can infer that Nixon was not socially nor politically for the black community during the Black Arts Movement. When she mention Nixon she was making statement against status quo.

In the last stanza, lines 22-27 states “…. but clean my gun and check my kerosene supply” Giovanni was calling for a state of revolution during these times and it reveals a crucial period during the civil rights movement At the very end ofthe poem, Giovanni expresses that maybe right now, during the 605-705, is the best time for the poetic views at all.

“For Saundra” is a poem by Nikki Giovanni that was written during the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The poem reflects the social and political environment of the time and the struggles faced by African Americans.

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The poem is dedicated to Saundra Brown, a student at Virginia Tech who was killed in a dormitory fire in 1970. The poem uses Saundra’s death as a metaphor for the larger issues faced by African Americans in society. Throughout the poem, Giovanni addresses the larger societal issues faced by African Americans during the Black Arts Movement. She speaks of the “agony and the pain of the black condition” and the struggle for justice and equality.

She also celebrates the beauty and strength of African American culture, writing “we are beautiful people/ with african imaginations/ full of masks and dances and swelling chants.” The poem reflects the radical and revolutionary spirit of the Black Arts Movement, which sought to create a new cultural identity for African Americans that was separate from white mainstream culture. The movement emphasized black pride, self-determination, and resistance to racism and oppression. Overall, “For Saundra” is a powerful reflection of the social and political environment of the Black Arts Movement.

The poem addresses the struggles faced by African Americans in society while celebrating the beauty and strength of African American culture. It is a testament to the spirit of resistance and revolution that characterized the movement and its impact on American society. Overall, “For Saundra” reflects the societal context of the Black Arts Movement, particularly the experiences of African Americans during this period of struggle and resistance. The poem celebrates the resilience and strength of Black women in the movement, while also acknowledging the challenges and injustices faced by African Americans during this time.