Haki R. Madhubuti

What if you wake up feeling like a boss, on top of the world, so powerful that nothing can destroy you? Nikki Giovanni was a black female born in Ohio. She visited Africa in 1972, the year Ego Tripping was published. That same year was when many civilizations were finding their origins. Giovanni celebrates being a black female with a huge ego during that time, so big that she seems to be tripping over it. In “Ego Tripping.” Nikki Giovanni uses allusion, simile, metaphor and symbolism to show that her self-confidence makes her feel powerful and invincible. Giovanni thinks of herself as a female goddess, proudly being black and achieving highly. She alludes to the Sphinx and the pyramids of Egypt. Giovanni states, “I walked to the fertile crescent and built the Sphinx.” (2/3), creating a huge and amazing sculpture in Egypt, emphasizes that she has immense power to do something like that. Her allusion to the pyramids shows superiority, building a pyramid for a star to fall perfectly on its pointy top is only to be done by someone powerful. As she affirms, “I designed a pyramid so tough that a star that only glows...the center giving divine perfect light.” (4/6). Her creation of the Sphinx and Egyptian pyramids shows her power. Through these events that demonstrate power she begins to feel invincible. Giovanni’s fame and ability to contribute much continues in stanzas 2-7 by exemplifying her awesomeness. Giovanni uses symbolism: “ My oldest daughter is Nefertiti the tears from…