I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal / I cannot be comprehended / except by my permission
Nikki Giovanni was a voice for social change, empowerment, and Black freedom. Her words continue to inspire countless individuals around the world.
Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tenn., she grew up during a time of deep racial and cultural turmoil in the U.S. Giovanni’s early exposure to the complexities of identity, race, and the struggle for civil rights shaped her creative voice.
As a young poet, Giovanni quickly established herself as a fierce and unapologetic advocate for Black liberation, feminism, and social justice. She was an iconic figure in the Black Arts Movement and a contemporary of poets such as Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez, though her unique voice and style set her apart as a singular force in American literature.
Her most famous works include the powerful, celebratory poem “Ego Tripping (There May Be a Reason Why),” a defiant celebration of Black womanhood and cultural pride. Giovanni’s work was also characterized by its conversational tone, its play with language, and its profound depth of feeling.
Giovanni’s poetry, which ranged from lyrical and tender to bold and politically charged, resonated with readers of all backgrounds. Her works include such landmark collections as “Black Feeling, Black Talk” (1968), “Black Judgment” (1970), “Love Poems” (1997), and “Chasing Utopia” (2013). In these poems, she spoke to the emotional and intellectual realities of the Black experience, examining themes of love, race, identity, pain, and resilience. Giovanni’s words were not only a tool for social critique but a means of empowerment, offering hope, solidarity, and strength in the face of adversity.
I saw Nikki Giovanni a few times at Jackson State University in the early aughts, where she gave talks and read some of her work. My clearest recollection of this is her sounding off about Bill Cosby. She was a small woman who stood tall and powerful, as she railed against Cosby before the collective came to understand just how harmful he’d been.
Giovanni was the best of Black folks. She loved us and spoke plainly. The poet created work that lifted, challenged, and corrected us. May she rest well and may those who are inspired do the work to contribute to our freedom.
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