Response to Parker’s There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce
Poetry has many definitions, almost as there are poets. Poetry is language in which its strength is shown through the expression of feelings and ideas through the use of concrete or abstract images in order to give great aesthetic pleasure while still being able to communicate meaning. Morgan Parker’s “There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé’ is essentially this, a work of art. Parker is an African-American poet and editor. In her anthology, she explores black womanhood by using pop-cultural references and politics in the 21st century.
Parker’s poems include personal narrative and criticism of pop-culture. Parker analyzes and approaches topics such as current media, women's …show more content…
Parker’s book was composed and distributed during the Obama administration. Many people saw the obama era as a way to bring new opportunities for black Americans in this deeply flawed nation. When Obama was first elected into office, the main headline that circled around in the media was that perhaps the United States was entering a “post-racial” era. An era that Martin Luther King hoped for, where people wouldn't be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. That the possibility of the unity amongst people of all backgrounds was actually possible and no longer far-reaching. In the poem “The President Has Never Said the Word Black,” Parker is critical of Obama’s presidency, she begins with the lines “To the extent that one begins/ to wonder if he is broken.” Parker immediately sets the disparaging tone of the poem. She claims that even though the nation has elected its first black president, there is an oversight, because there are still threats that continue …show more content…
Parker vomits words all over the place but not just any random words. The poem contains a specific list of words that may come to mind when thinking of a Black woman. Parker uses words like: “pretty” “carefree” and “strong” and “flawless” indicate the more positive sides of how society looks at a black girl while phrases like “dying” “less” “at risk” represent more negative connotations of the black girl image. Parker then mentions a few women such as Michelle Obama, Whitney Houston, Shonda Rhimes, and many more to indicate that these women are powerful and essentially represent black-girl excellence. This piece is simple yet powerful in its entirety. Others may view this piece as a bunch of words that hold no essential meaning but depending on the reader, each word and phrase represent much more than that. Parker's piece holds meaning and can be interpreted much deeper than what is visibly shown and that’s what makes Parker a brilliant writer. The tone of this poem is angry but also confident and it sort of goes back and forth across the two feelings. Parker’s presentation of the image of blackness and the experiences that come along with that title and hinting female sexuality again showing the rise and falls of being Black woman in the free
Poetry has many definitions, almost as there are poets. Poetry is language in which its strength is shown through the expression of feelings and ideas through the use of concrete or abstract images in order to give great aesthetic pleasure while still being able to communicate meaning. Morgan Parker’s “There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé’ is essentially this, a work of art. Parker is an African-American poet and editor. In her anthology, she explores black womanhood by using pop-cultural references and politics in the 21st century.
Parker’s poems include personal narrative and criticism of pop-culture. Parker analyzes and approaches topics such as current media, women's …show more content…
Parker’s book was composed and distributed during the Obama administration. Many people saw the obama era as a way to bring new opportunities for black Americans in this deeply flawed nation. When Obama was first elected into office, the main headline that circled around in the media was that perhaps the United States was entering a “post-racial” era. An era that Martin Luther King hoped for, where people wouldn't be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. That the possibility of the unity amongst people of all backgrounds was actually possible and no longer far-reaching. In the poem “The President Has Never Said the Word Black,” Parker is critical of Obama’s presidency, she begins with the lines “To the extent that one begins/ to wonder if he is broken.” Parker immediately sets the disparaging tone of the poem. She claims that even though the nation has elected its first black president, there is an oversight, because there are still threats that continue …show more content…
Parker vomits words all over the place but not just any random words. The poem contains a specific list of words that may come to mind when thinking of a Black woman. Parker uses words like: “pretty” “carefree” and “strong” and “flawless” indicate the more positive sides of how society looks at a black girl while phrases like “dying” “less” “at risk” represent more negative connotations of the black girl image. Parker then mentions a few women such as Michelle Obama, Whitney Houston, Shonda Rhimes, and many more to indicate that these women are powerful and essentially represent black-girl excellence. This piece is simple yet powerful in its entirety. Others may view this piece as a bunch of words that hold no essential meaning but depending on the reader, each word and phrase represent much more than that. Parker's piece holds meaning and can be interpreted much deeper than what is visibly shown and that’s what makes Parker a brilliant writer. The tone of this poem is angry but also confident and it sort of goes back and forth across the two feelings. Parker’s presentation of the image of blackness and the experiences that come along with that title and hinting female sexuality again showing the rise and falls of being Black woman in the free