African American Culture African American Flags African American Quilt African American Quilts African American Quilting African American Art African American Art African American Clip Art African American Art Love African American Arts African American Art Gallery African American Black Art African American Artists African American Artists African American Painting African American Print African American Calendars African American Museum Dallas African American Books African American History Books African American Christmas African American Doll African American Dolls African American Book Store African American Novels African American Author African American Authors African American Poets African American Poems African American Poetry African American Vernacular English African American History African American History African American Hair Care Products African American Museum Famous African Americans African American Inventors African American Products African American Items African American Invitations African American Stationery Buy African American African American Events African American Tours African American Travel African American Group Travel African American Cruises African American Websites African American Community African American Chat Rooms African American Teen Chat African American Girls African American Women African American Men African American Man African American Speaker African American Speakers African American Models African American Babies African American Baby Names African American Gifts African American Barbie Doll African American Figurine African American Figurines African American Styles African American TV African American DVD African American DVDs African American T Shirts African American Hair African American Hair Styles African American Hairstyles Short African American Hairstyles African American Hair Braiding Styles African American Prom Hairstyles African American Wedding Hairstyles African American Wedding Music African American Wedding Accessories African American Wig African American Shampoo African American Health African American Health African American Marketing African American Research African American Scholarship African American Scholarships African American Grants African American Wedding African American Wedding Programs African American Wedding Cake Toppers African American Cake Toppers

African American Poems

African American poems and poets are following the lead taken in 1761 when Jupiter Hammon published his first poem, the first ever published that was written by a black poet.

This very first of all African American poems to follow was a reflection of the deep spiritual nature of the poet.  Written on Christmas Day in 1760, the poem is called An Evening Thought. Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries.

Hammon was a slave throughout his entire life but was very fortunate to have a stable life.  He served the same Long Island, New York, family for several generations and was allowed an education, something almost unheard of in that era.  At school, he learned to read and write and he discovered poetry there, too.

His spirituality was influenced by the revivals that were frequently taking place in New England during this time.  His masters, too, were devoutly religious so Hammon’s spiritual nature was most likely nurtured on a daily basis.

Other poems followed for this first African American poet.  His second published poem, Poem to Phillis Wheatley, describes the many freedoms that would be enjoyed in Heaven, where slavery can never exist

Wheatley was born in Ethiopia and sold into slavery when she was only 7.  She learned to read, write, and speak English and began publishing poems in the 1770s.  Many of her works were based on spiritual and moral elements.

Perhaps the most famous literary work by Jupiter Hammon wasn’t poetry but an address he wrote for the African Society of New York in 1786, when Hammon was 76 years old.  In this address, Hammon expressed his opinion of slavery as unjust and in need of abolition.  He claimed to “not wish to be free” himself but would be “glad if others, especially the young Negroes, were free.”

Hammon was aware of the stronghold slavery had on the country and understood that the economic structure of the nation was based on slavery.  For these reasons, he said in his address that he felt slavery should be abolished gradually, so as not to upset the nation’s business, as well as the lives of the enslaved peoples, in dramatic and destructive fashion.

This 1786 address contains Hammon’s most famous quote, again relating his profound spirituality, "If we should ever get to Heaven, we shall find nobody to reproach us for being black, or for being slaves."

African Culture Native American Culture Free Quilt Patterns
Quilting Question of the Week Quilt of the Month program
African Art
Fante of Ghana - Asafo Flags | Textiles & Symbols | Zulu Beadwork		 African American Art
Art & Contemporary | Historical | Traditional
Asian Culture
Chinese | Hmong | Indian | Japanese | Korean | Tibetan | Afghanistan		 Native American Culture
Hawaiians | Kuna of Panama (molas) | Mainland Tribes
Latin Culture / South American Culture Haitian Culture Aboriginal Culture
Australia / New Zealand
Baby Quilt | Antique Quilts | Art Quilting | Airplane Quilt | Antique Quilt | Cat Quilt | Fabric for Quilting | How to Quilt | Jean Quilt | Quilt Sets | Antique Quilts | Applique Machine Embroidery Designs | Chenille Quilt | Crazy Quilt | Crib Quilt | Denim Quilt | Feather Quilt | Free Applique Patterns | Horse Quilt | King Size Quilt | Online Quilt | Paper Piercing | Patchwork Quilt Patterns | Punch Needle | Quilt Art | Quilt Book | Quilt Fabric | Quilt Fabrics | Quilt Hangers | Quilting Fabric | Quilting Machine | Quilting Patterns | Quilting Quilt | Quilt Kits | Quilt Labels | Quilt Machine | Quilt Pattern | Quilt Patterns | Quilt Rack | Quilt Racks | Quilting Books | Paper Piecing Patterns | Quilting Tips and Techniques | Hand Quilting | Machine Quilting | Rotary Cutting | Quilt Bindings | Wedding Dress Quilts