I want to introduce you to Dr. Joshua Bennett, a poet, writer, and author who uses the platform of poetry to bring attention to social issues within the black community. Dr. Bennett is best known for his book The Sobbing School (Penguin, 2016), a book of poetry that takes the readers on a journey throughout some of his most fond child memories, and sheds light on how tough it is for little black boys in this world.

Dr. Joshua Bennett received his Ph.D. in English from Princeton University and since then has received numerous honors for his writings, from being a part of the Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University to being a finalist for the NAACP Image Award for poetry.

“Social Injustice: A situation when some unfair practices are being carried in the society. Whatever unjust is happening is usually against the law and it might not be something that is considered a moral practice. Basically, social injustice occurs when the equals are treated in an unequal way and the unequals are treated in an equal way.”

Umar Farooq, Study Lecture Notes

As previously stated, Dr. Bennett focuses a lot of his writing on the struggles of being Black in America. My favorite social injustice-driven poem by Dr. Bennett comes from his book The Sobbing School, called “On Extinction.” In this poem we see Dr. Bennett portray to us how it was growing up as a minority with a mother who is worried about sending her black son out into this scary world, “The woman across the table from me is scared / to raise her son, fears he will be killed / by police, says this outright, over soup, / expecting nothing.” He writes this poem with the fear of his past self in mind, a poem that makes sure to include that not only will diseases and old age kill black men, but that another cause for unnecessary deaths in the black community comes from police officers. The greatest impact of this poem comes from his use of caesuras (commas, colons, semi-colons) in crucial lines, which to me, add up to several moments of thought from a young child who is trying to realize the danger that comes with being a minority in this world. Dr. Bennett also provides us with such details that we can see the image of him and his mother sitting at a table and discussing this scary topic. Dr. Bennett also gives us a stream of consciousness moment where he is trying to absorb everything that is being thrown at him from his mother, “My first thought is of the landscape. / For a moment, all I can see is flat green oblivion / unchecked flora where fourth graders / once sped across the open.”

I also recommend you read the poem “X” by Dr. Bennett, a poem that personifies the letter “X” and causes us, as readers, to recognize the depth within, “I love how you stand / In exultation, arms raised / to welcome the rain.” The imagery seen from the beginning of “X” will make you want to continue reading the whole poem, eager to see what is in the next line. Dr. Bennett also highlights social injustice by including a few lines about human rights activist, Malcolm X, “As you are both Malcolm’s / shadow & the black unknown / he died defending.” Below are a few lines from “X.”

“X”

“As you are both Malcolm’s
shadow & the black unknown
he died defending, I praise

your untold potential, the possible
worlds you hold within your body’s
bladed frame. I love how you stand

in exultation, arms raised
to welcome the rain, the bolt,
whatever drops from the sky’s slick shelf

without warning, as all plagues
do. ” -Dr. Joshua Bennett

https://www.poetrysociety.org/psa/poetry/crossroads/own_words/Joshua_Bennett/

Not only is Dr. Bennett a great poet, writer, and author, but he also does a magnificent job doing spoken word. One of my favorites is his performance “SAY IT, SING IT IF THE SPIRIT LEADS” a lyrical masterpiece where Dr. Bennett showcases self love for those listening, but more importantly to those black children who have ever felt left out. You should listen to this spoken word because it will allow you to understand the power and background of Dr. Bennett. While listening, you shouldn’t only focus on the flow of the spoken words but also the message behind it, to not be afraid of speaking your mind because you are important too.

Works Cited:

Bennett, Joshua. The Sobbing School. Penguin Books, 2016.

Farooq, Umar. “Social Injustice Definition, Issues and Example.” Social Injustice Definition, Issues and Example | SLN, 2015, www.studylecturenotes.com/basics-of-sociology/social-injustice-definition-issues-and-example.

“Joshua Bennett: ‘Say It, Sing It If The Spirit Leads (After Vievee Francis)’.” YouTube, The Greene Space at WNYC & WQXR, 15 Jan. 2016, youtu.be/R3vpEd4Ce7g.

Poetry Society of America, and Rog Walker. “In Their Own Words.” Poetry Society of America, 2016, www.poetrysociety.org/psa/poetry/crossroads/own_words/Joshua_Bennett/.

Poetry Society of America. “In Their Own Words.” Joshua Bennett on “X” – Poetry Society of America, 2016, www.poetrysociety.org/psa/poetry/crossroads/own_words/Joshua_Bennett/.