Poetry reader: Amy Breazeale

Poetry respondent: Theresa Mullins

UA 111  

Author biography:

            Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1934 Sonia Sanchez was originally named Wilsonia Bonita Driver by her parents Wilson and Lena.  She earned a B.A. in Political Science and continued a career at Temple University as a Black American History and Creative Writing professor.  She was a powerful speaker and political activist in the 60s.  Throughout her career she has achieved many awards such as NEA Award, Pen Writing Award, and the Lucretia Mott Award. 

Objectives:

            Obj. 2: To observe representations and narratives (or images and stories) of ethnicity and gender as a means of defining minority categories.

            Obj. 3a: African American alternative: “The Dream”

            Obj. 5a: To discover the power of poetry and fiction to help others hear the minority voice and share the minority experience.

Interpretation:

            This poem surrounds the idea of a young African American girl who believes she is seen negatively by the dominant culture.  Tamrynn Fett, student presentation 2004, explains that “there is a great deal of distrust of the people around her ‘you smiling to make me feel better / but I see how you stare when nobody’s watching you.’” She shows emotions of hope in the last two lines of the poem which makes the reader believe that she thinks the opinions of the dominant culture will change in the future. 

Questions:

·        How is “The Dream” associated with this poem?

·        What does the Title mean?

Link to additional materials provided by respondent