This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet. It explores her impact on Black literature, the complexities of her poetry, and the misconceptions surrounding Black literacy and slavery. The discussion highlights Wheatley's humanity, creativity, and the joy found in her relationships and writings, emphasizing that Black expression has always existed despite societal constraints. The episode concludes with a reflection on Wheatley's exceptionalism and the importance of joy in her life and work.

CREDITS

Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa.

Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama

Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh

Cornelius Eady - Poet, Playwright, Songwriter, Co-Founder of Cave Canem, and the endowed chair at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Brigitte Fielder - Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the College of Letters and Science

READ 

Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum

Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Phillis Wheatley
06:00 The Complexity of Wheatley's Poetry
10:55 Wheatley's Humanity and Early Life
17:35 Misconceptions About Black Literacy
23:46 Black Joy and Wheatley's Writings
35:59 Wheatley's Exceptionalism and Tenacity

TEAM BLK LIT

Jason Torres: @JNTNY

Jabari Davis @JabariADavis

Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace 

Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com

Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com

 

This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet. It explores her impact on Black literature, the complexities of her poetry, and the misconceptions surrounding Black literacy and slavery. The discussion highlights Wheatley's humanity, creativity, and the joy found in her relationships and writings, emphasizing that Black expression has always existed despite societal constraints. The episode concludes with a reflection on Wheatley's exceptionalism and the importance of joy in her life and work.
CREDITS
Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa.
Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama
Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh
Cornelius Eady - Poet, Playwright, Songwriter, Co-Founder of <a href="https://cavecanempoets.org/">Cave Canem</a>, and the endowed chair at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville&nbsp;
Brigitte Fielder - Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the College of Letters and Science
READ&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p086830">Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum</a>
<a href="https://lsupress.org/9780807179796/race-and-respectability-in-an-early-black-atlantic/">Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith</a>
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Phillis Wheatley 06:00 The Complexity of Wheatley's Poetry 10:55 Wheatley's Humanity and Early Life 17:35 Misconceptions About Black Literacy 23:46 Black Joy and Wheatley's Writings 35:59 Wheatley's Exceptionalism and Tenacity
TEAM BLK LIT
Jason Torres:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/JNTNY/#">@JNTNY</a>
Jabari Davis&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/Jabariadavis/">@JabariADavis</a>
Jacquees Thomas <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_thatspeace/?hl=en">@_ThatsPeace&nbsp;</a>
Join the Writers Collective&nbsp;<a href="https://mailchi.mp/fbd3ee08372a/blk-writers-room">BLKWritersRoom.com</a>
Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abakebooks.com/">AbakeBooks.com</a>
&nbsp;

BLK LIT highlights the creative wordsmiths of our current and past generations. We will delve into the history, purpose, and personalities behind each literary work, spending an intimate amount of time with each writer’s expression through orated excerpts or reenactments, content dissection, direct dialogue with the writers, and the host’s final thoughts. BLK LIT is the home for lovers of literature by wordsmiths of culture. 

BLK LIT highlights the creative wordsmiths of our current and past generations. We will delve into the history, purpose, and personalities behind each literary work, spending an intimate amount of time with each writer’s expression through orated excerpts or reenactments, content dissection, direct dialogue with the writers, and the host’s final thoughts. BLK LIT is the home for lovers of literature by wordsmiths of culture.

BLK LIT

Phillis Wheatley - Black JOY in the 18th Century

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d33418d8-81c1-4d1b-84ce-b2880082d1a5/transcript