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Contest Black History, Black Pride by just mercedes

The new Australian government has just issued an apology to the indigenous people for their treatment over the past two hundred years. In New Zealand relations between settlers and the native people is governed by the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840.

I apologise in advance for my lack of intimate knowledge of movements, whether political, social or cultural, in other places, and with all respect offer this contest to allow voices and opinions to be heard.

The prompt is Black History, Black Pride.

Please choose a name from the following list and write a poem, in the voice of your choice, about the prompt.

Include the name in your Author Notes.

Any form of poetry, rhyming or not, please no prose.
Usual rules, no bashing of others - make your point poetically please.

Options :

Martin Luther King Jnr

Malcolm X

Stokely Carmichael

A. Philip Randolph

Roy Innis

Curtis Mayfield

James Brown

Toni Morrison

Jesse Jackson

Oprah Winfrey

Maya Angelou

Rosa Parks

I'm looking for affirmation and respect, or at least engagement.

Judges will read all poems but will not comment until judging.

Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on March 1, 2008
  • Rewards: Gold: 1500, Silver: 1000, Bronze: 500, Honorable mention: 2 people
  • Final notes:
    Thank you all for your entries. The judges were unanimous on the awards, which makes it a little easier! Proud words for proud people whose place in the world is assured. The love and respect shown for Martin Luther King Jnr was heartening, and the strength of the dream is solid.

Contest Winners

  1. Chessboard Battle
    What has he done,
    thrown a lasso around the sun?
    by Raazi 15 lines, 5 comments, on Feb 17 10:03 PM 2008
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  2. Why did he have to die?
    Why did he have to die When all he wanted was peace?
    by madamcb 55 lines, 3 comments, on Feb 22 8:58 PM 2008
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  3. Martin Luther King Jr.
    Martin Luther King Junior was a special man He taught all races to begin
    by puppydoglover 13 lines, 1 comment, on Feb 17 8:50 PM 2008. In Thoughts
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  4. The Poetic Princess (revised)
    Dwelling in the land of cotton
    fields she grew up a rose
    by ennovy 31 lines, 4 comments, on Feb 17 6:31 PM 2008. In Personal, Thoughts, Love, Life, Feelings
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]

Entries [4]

Add a comment

    : Comment:

Comments

1 - 5 of 5

  • poetryality silver member
    February 17, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Bookmarked!


    Much Love ♥

    Renee


  • Count Orlok
    February 17, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    How about Michael Jackson? Or Ray Charles? Or (best of all) Obama? Or maybe Idi Amin?


    • just mercedes gold member
      February 17, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks for your ideas, Count. There are many of them, aren't there? But I had to stop somewhere, and I think - I hope - that I gave enough range for everyone to be able to find someone with whom they could identify.


  • johnny nobody
    February 17, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    This seems like a cool subject. I'd like to write a poem about Kiri te Kanawa (although she is only a half-caste). But she is the most famous New Zealander ever.

    • just mercedes gold member
      February 17, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      You mean, now that Sir Edmund Hillary has climbed the final mountain? You could try one from the list, I'm worrying already about how you will approach the subject!

1 - 5 of 5