African American
Haiku

African American culture represents a unique and rich blend of traditional Japanese haiku with the experiences, voices, and history of African Americans. This vibrant subgenre captures the essence of haiku's brevity and depth while incorporating themes and perspectives central to African American life. Writers in this tradition often blend cultural references, historical contexts, and personal narratives to create poignant and evocative poems that resonate with a broad audience.

African American haiku poets not only adhere to the classic 5-7-5 syllable structure but also experiment with variations, enriching the form with innovative approaches. Their work frequently addresses social justice, identity, nature, and personal reflection, providing a powerful medium for expression and connection. This cultural fusion highlights the adaptability of haiku and its ability to convey universal truths through diverse lenses.

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Below are just a few of the many talented African American haiku and poetry writers that have made significant contributions to the world of haiku poetry.

 

• Lewis G. Alexander

• Richard Wright

• Sonia Sanchez

• Lenard D. Moore

• James Emanuel

• Etheridge Knight

• Jaqueline Johnson

• Amiri Baraka

• Robert Hayden

• L. Theresa Church

• Crystal Simone Smith

• Nikki Giovanni

• Kwame Alexander

• Kalamu ya Salam (“pen of peace”)

• Rita Dove

• Gwendolyn Brooks

• Alice Walker

• Dwight Wilson

• Adrienne Christian

• Tara Betts

• Fabu (Fabu Phillis Carter)

• DJ Renegade

• Gideon Young

• Tyrone McDonald

               Check out this interview with Tyrone McDonald on YouTube… be patient through the 1st
               minute of intro – it’s a wonderful interview: https://youtu.be/loWjzE32pPc 


​Other African Americans with published Haiku although it is not their primary focus:

• Regina Harris Baiocchi

• Jerhetta Dafina Suite

• Van G. Garrett

• Ruth Forman

• June Jordan

• Derrick Weston Brown

• Laurence Stacey

• Julius Lester

• Fabu (Fabu Phyllis Carter)

• Dwight L. Wilson

• Randolph Nelson Levy

• Michael Moore

• Desiree Cooper

And a wee bit of the Global Haiku View -

• Nana Fredua-Agyeman (Ghana)

• Kwame Senu Neville Dawes (Ghana)

• Claire K. Harris (Trinidad)

• Gillena Cox (Granada)

• Raquel D. Bailey (Jamaica)
  
   

For more information on the history of African American Haiku, go to these links:

  https://www.modernhaiku.org/issue47-1/Trumbull-BlackHaiku-1-MH47-1.pdf
  https://www.modernhaiku.org/issue47-2/Trumbull-BlackHaiku-MH-47-2.pdf

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