Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown joins Kevin Young to discuss the powerful works of Elizabeth Alexander. They explore the emotional depth of Alexander's poem 'When?', reflecting on its significance in Black poetry and culture. Jericho shares insights into his own piece 'Colosseum,' emphasizing the intimate connections forged through personal storytelling. The conversation touches on themes of love, identity, and the influence of Southern culture, illustrating how friendships shape a poet's journey and the enduring legacy of powerful literary figures.
Jericho Brown reflects on how Elizabeth Alexander's poem profoundly influenced his personal identity and connection to Black literature.
Brown explores the duality of joy and grief in Alexander's 'When,' highlighting its significance in understanding Black masculinity and communal artistry.
Deep dives
Celebrating Diverse Stories for America 250
The podcast highlights the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, which aims to collect and preserve diverse stories from various communities across the nation. This initiative encourages individuals to nominate living people whose stories represent a unique version of the American experience. Such efforts seek to honor the multifaceted nature of democracy and amplify voices that may not traditionally be heard. By involving the public in this narrative-building exercise, the program underscores the importance of inclusivity in shaping the nation's past, present, and future.
Jericho Brown's Poetic Journey
Jericho Brown shares his formative experiences that led him to embrace poetry, describing how he encountered Elizabeth Alexander's works while establishing his identity as a poet. The discovery of a poem in The New Yorker deeply influenced him during a pivotal time, illustrating how literature can inspire one's life choices. His reflection on how this poem served as both a personal catalyst and an elegy for lost Black voices highlights the powerful connection between literary art and individual identity. Brown emphasizes the lasting impact of such poems, presenting them as critical touchstones within the broader tapestry of Black literature.
The Significance of Elizabeth Alexander's 'When'
Brown delves into Elizabeth Alexander's poem 'When,' discussing its intricate portrayal of Black masculinity intertwined with themes of loss due to the AIDS epidemic. He finds the poem particularly significant for its eloquence and sonic playfulness, which creates an immersive listening experience while conveying somber truths. The way Alexander weaves personal memories with broader historical references reflects the communal aspects of Black artistry, making it an essential work for understanding the cultural landscape of the time. He perceives the poem as both a celebration of life and a poignant acknowledgment of the generation of Black men lost, illustrating the duality of joy and grief in artistic expression.
Poetry as Love and Survival
During the discussion, Brown posits that all poems are, at their core, love poems, emphasizing the emotional drive behind poetic creation. He articulates that each poem evokes a sense of survival and connectivity, often distilling complex feelings into artistic expression. This view arms poetry with a profound purpose, providing solace and community in times of hardship. By framing poetry in this way, he highlights its power to elevate everyday experiences while revealing the resilience embedded within the art form itself.
Jericho Brown joins Kevin Young to read, “When,” by Elizabeth Alexander, and his own poem, “Colosseum.” Jericho Brown, who received the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in poetry for his collection “The Tradition.” He’s a 2024 MacArthur Fellow and a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets.