Celebrating the Spoken Word: "My Mama's So Black" (Michael Harriot)

Michael Harriot is a local spoken word artist. I first heard him at the Downtown Public Library in Birmingham at their monthly "Bards and Brews" poetry presentation. His heartfelt stories in poetry draw me in and have a powerful impact every time I hear him. There are many of his poetry slam presentations on YouTube. I am sharing this one from the 2017 Individual World Poetry Slam Finals in Spokane, Washington with his poem, "My Mama's So Black."

Poetry Out Loud

During the month of April, in celebration of National Poetry Month, I highlighted poetry as an oral art form – the spoken word delivered to an audience. I noted that “the speaking and the hearing of poetry have always been central to its beauty and its effect upon people.”

Throughout the month, I shared video presentations of poets reading or reciting their works as well as other people reading the works of poets. I was able to share oral presentations of nine poets from diverse backgrounds. There were well over 1,000 views of those blog posts. The work of local spoken word artist Michael Harriot, “My Mama's So Black” received the most views, followed closely by Helen Mirren's reading of Tennyson's “Ulysses.”

All of the presentations seemed to be well received. Particularly effective was Bill Murray's reading of “What the Mirror Said,” by Lucille Clifton, and, of course, Maya Angelou's own presentation of “And Still I Rise.” I was glad to hear some Native American perspective with Joy Harjo's presentation.

Some told me that my reading of “Conscientious Objector,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, was their first time to even hear about that poem. Others remarked that “Digging,” by Seamus Heaney was their all time favorite poem. One of my favorites was to be able to sit and listen to an evening with Coleman Barks reading from his translations of Rumi.

I am happy to have done some small part in presenting poetry in its oral form, and glad to have introduced some new voices as well as some old favorites to the readers of my blog. Thank you all for taking time to appreciate poetry as a spoken art form this month.

In case you missed any of them, you will find them listed below, with a hyperlink to take you to each presentation.

Coleman Barks Presents Works by Persian Poet, Rumi

Helen Mirren Reads “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson

“My Mama’s So Black,” by Michael Harriot

“The Lanyard,” by Billy Collins

“And Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou

"Nearly Unbearable Grace," the poetry of Joy Harjo, Native American Poet

Bill Murray Reads “What the Mirror Said,” by Lucille Clifton

“Digging,” by Seamus Heaney

Charles Kinnaird Reads “Conscientious Objector,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Michael Harriot Poetry Slam: My Mama's So Black

Celebrating the Spoken Word

Michael Harriot is a local spoken word artist. I first heard him at the Downtown Public Library in Birmingham at their monthly "Bards and Brews" poetry presentation. His heart-felt stories in poetry draw me in and have a powerful impact every time I hear him. There are many of his poetry slam presentations on YouTube. I am sharing this one from the 2017 Individual World Poetry Slam Finals in Spokane, Washington with his poem, "My Mama's So Black."

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