Gwendolyn Brooks was a prolific poet and author born in Topeka, Kansas, on this day June 7, 1917, Brooks grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where her parents nurtured her love for reading and writing. As a young girl, she was exposed to the works of renowned poets such as T.S. Eliot and Langston Hughes, which helped to shape her unique poetic voice. Over the course of her career, Brooks published numerous collections of poetry, essays, and an autobiography, earning her numerous accolades including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950.
Brooks’ poetry reflects her experiences as a Black woman growing up in Chicago and delves into themes such as racism, poverty, and inequality. Her work is characterized by its vivid imagery, innovative language, and a keen attention to the experiences of ordinary people. One of her most famous collections of poetry, A Street in Bronzeville, offers a glimpse into the lives of African Americans living in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago during the 1940s. Through these poems, Brooks captures the struggles and triumphs faced by members of this community.
Another notable work by Gwendolyn Brooks is Annie Allen, which won her the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. This collection follows the life of a young Black girl as she navigates adolescence and adulthood amid the challenges of racism and sexism. The poems in Annie Allen showcase Brooks’ incredible skill as a storyteller and her ability to create characters that resonate with readers.
Throughout her career, Gwendolyn Brooks remained dedicated to promoting literature within the African American community and fostering young talent. She served as a mentor to numerous aspiring writers and was actively involved in various literary organizations. In 1968, she was appointed as the Poet Laureate of Illinois – a position she held until her death in 2000.
Gwendolyn Brooks’ remarkable body of work offers a powerful insight into the lives of African Americans during the mid-20th century. Her poetry serves as a testament to her talent as a poet and author, as well as her commitment to social justice and equality. As we journey through her poetry, we are reminded of the importance of giving voice to those who have been marginalized and the power that literature has to create empathy and understanding. Today, Brooks’ legacy lives on through her enduring works, which continue to inspire readers and writers alike.
We Real Cool
The Pool Players.
Seven at the Golden Shovel.
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
–Gwendolyn Brooks, “We Real Cool” from Selected Poems, 1963
Curated by Jennifer
