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Black Poetry Day
Black Poetry Day recognizes the dead and the living African-American poets coming from the US. And there is more to know about this lauded celebration of literature toward black heritage, particularly with how real-life experiences from the marginalized were retold in poetry many years ago.
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Black Poetry Day Definition and Meaning
Black Poetry Day is an annual holiday that honors the many brilliant, inspirational, and talented African-American poetry writers in the US.
Black Poetry Day is an important event that acknowledges poetry in black culture and history, and it is celebrated on the exact same birth date as Jupiter Hammon, a well-respected poet dubbed as the father of African-American literature.
When Is Black Poetry Day?
Celebrate Black Poetry Day every October 17, and it falls on a Monday in 2022. Despite what your race is, there is always a reason to observe Black Poetry Day, especially in showing your support for African-American poets and black culture.
Black Poetry Day History
The concept of Black Poetry Day started when a musician named Stanley A. Ransom suggested that there should be a specific holiday meant for black literature and culture back in 1970. It was initiated that October 17 should be the date of the holiday because it is the birth anniversary of Jupiter Hammon (October 17, 1711); he was one of the famous, pioneering African-American poets in the US. Then, Black Poetry Day branched out by not only honoring African-American poets but also all black writers and their literary works to society.
Black Poetry Day Purpose, Importance
Before even greeting anyone on a happy Black Poetry Day, make sure you get proper education about the purpose, importance, and significance of this special holiday.
Black Poetry’s Contribution to Literature
Black poetry itself is a sub-genre in African-American literature. And what these poets made are already accomplishments to black literature, making black poetry a pivotal contribution to the Black Arts Movement. Also, promoting black poetry is not only for the recognition of poets but to encourage more people to read and write more.
Jupiter Hammon’s Birthday
Of course, let’s not forget about the father of black literature, Jupiter Hammon, whose birthday (October 17, 1711) falls on the same date as Black Poetry Day. Born from the Lloyd Manor on Long Island and during the slavery period, Hammon had access to education because of the Lloyds (his masters), and Hammon’s poetry focused on slavery as the theme. Remembering this “An Evening Thought” writer as well as any other black poet is paramount during the holiday because back then, white writers were often praised while black writers weren’t acknowledged.
Numbers of Poets to Discover
The best thing about Black Poetry Day is that you can remember the many famous and iconic black poets from back then as well as discover many new poets of today. Get to know prominent names such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Gwendolyn Brooks. And since Black Poetry Day has expanded to more black writers, you can also check out quotes, books, novels, and other forms of art made by people of color.
History of the Marginalized
Poems written by black poets deserve acknowledgment because, in early times, racism was rampant that the marginalized who try hard to read and write in English are looked down upon by racists. That explains why most of the black poetry themes tackle struggles during slavery until their emancipation. And you would appreciate Black Poetry Day to hear out the many voices of the marginalized back then, especially when the stories are more diverse in modern times.
What’s in Black Poetry Day?
During Black Poetry Day, expect to celebrate with tons of activities related to poetry. This is the perfect time to create your own poem, greet black poets with a holiday e-card or any token, research black poets from the past until the present, attend black poetry readings, and post about the holiday on social media using the hashtag #BlackPoetryDay, and participate in public gatherings honoring Black Poetry Day. Most importantly, read more poems coming from black writers and analyze what message they are conveying.
How to Create a Black Poetry Day Social Media Post
As October 17 fast approaches, make sure you are ready on what to post on social media to honor Black Poetry Day. Not to worry because there are guidelines to help you how to prepare compelling Black Poetry Day social media posts whether for Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp:
1. Pick a Black Poetry Day Facebook post template to customize.
Go to Template.net and check out the free collection of downloadable Black Poetry Day templates. Start working on the Black Poetry Day FB post template. Click the template and press “Edit This Template FREE” shortly.
2. Note down your Black Poetry Day message.
Now that you are inside Template.net’s Editor tool, start customizing your template with the “Fill” feature. Click it and write your message about Black Poetry Day on any of the message boxes provided. Take this chance to type down your good wishes to black poets, the agenda and contact details of the Black Poetry Day event you’re organizing, and other texts.
3. Embellish the template with smooth graphics.
Adding media is certainly possible such as using the “Graphics” button. Click it and look for awesome pictures to decorate your FB post template. Examples include inserting a creative illustration of a poem, a festival design, or even cartoonish pictures of poets.
4. Look for the perfect background.
Monopolize the “Background” tool and select your preferred background color for the Facebook post. You may also go for high-resolution images as wallpaper. Just make sure the background really pays off, meaning it is visually pleasing but not blocking the text or graphic elements of your post.
5. Save your project and publish it.
Are you done editing? Make sure to press “…” followed by “Save” on the top right part of your screen. Then, publish what you just made on Facebook to celebrate Black Poetry Day.
1. Find a Black Poetry Day Instagram post template and edit it.
Skim through Template.net’s resources of editable Black Poetry Day templates. Next, click the Black Poetry Day template set in IG post format. Same as before, personalize the template in the Editor tool.
2. Input the necessary text for your post.
Select “Fill” from the Editor tool and tap on any of the text boxes available. Jot down your Black Poetry Day messages may they be related to a simple holiday greeting, your very own acrostic poem, a life teaching related to black poetry, or personal comments honoring the holiday. Be sure your message is straightforward and easy to understand.
3. Apply visual elements to beautify the IG post.
Press the “Graphics” button and add beautiful visuals to your post. There is so much beauty to holiday-related motifs such as images of party balloons, drinks, and even books as they are related to poetry. And don’t forget to adjust the graphic dimensions afterward so their sizes and placements are right where you want them to be.
4. Place a logo, background, or any other medium.
Click “Logo,” “Background,” and other tools available in the Editor tool. You can do so much more on Template.net such as adding the Mansfield University logo to your post, using a community registry logo, adding a black-owned theater image as the background of the post, or even a picture of a poet writing in action as the wallpaper. Make the most out of these features now.
5. Save and post your work on Instagram.
Same as the last step given earlier, click the three dots on the top right of your screen. Next, hit “Save” and you should be able to preserve your work until the holiday. Publish the template on Instagram and share it with your followers briefly.
1. Optimize a premade Black Poetry Day WhatsApp post template.
Watch out for Template.net’s whole collection of templates related to Black Poetry Day. Click specifically on the Black Poetry Day WhatsApp post template. Next, head to “Edit This Template FREE” to get started on the Editor tool.
2. Provide a personalized message.
Maximize the use of the “Fill” tool in writing your message to commemorate Black Poetry Day. Your message can include anything such as the exact month and day of Black Poetry Day, fun-filled humor to make audiences happy, an announcement for a poetry contest, the history and foundation of Black Poetry Day, or the student tradition of your school in celebrating the event. The point is the whole message should be visible and would fit in the template.
3. Mind the visuals of your post.
Just like a magazine, banner, or any other promotional tool, you can’t simply rely on texts. Add images by clicking the “Graphics” feature in the Editor tool. Pictures could be an infographic of how writing poems can bring therapy, the graphic rules of the library poetry writing contest, a photo of the Black Arts Movement system, etc.
4. Ensure to include a wonderful background.
The “Background” tool is just as important in terms of bringing graphic elements to the WhatsApp post. Pick a nice shade for the backdrop that compliments the other elements of your post really well. Or, simply use an image as wallpaper so you won’t stick with a monotone palette only.
5. Save everything to finalize your WhatsApp post.
Apply the finishing touches to your post. Once you are through, press “…” and then “Save.” You should post that template on WhatsApp during Black Poetry Day.
Black Poetry Day vs. World Poetry Day
Black Poetry Day celebrates black poets and black-owned poems, specifically the works coming from African-Americans in the US.
World Poetry Day is a celebration of all the poems and poets around the world, meaning it is a global event and not merely limited to black folks; this holiday occurs every March 21.
Black Poetry Day Ideas and Examples
Black Poetry Day is the right time to show support for African-American poets and black writers in general. And to commemorate this special event, here are other Black Poetry Day ideas and examples that you can use for inspiration:
Black Poetry Day Banner Ideas and Examples
Display your utmost support for the holiday using a black-and-white themed Black Poetry Day banner template for a classic and stylish output.
Black Poetry Day Website Banner Ideas and Examples
Design an appropriate banner for your website that observes the holiday by editing this free Black Poetry Day website banner template.
Black Poetry Day Vector Ideas and Examples
Monopolize a Black Poetry Day vector that you can use as your image for any Black Poetry Day-themed post you plan on publishing.
Black Poetry Day Illustration Ideas and Examples
Inspire more people to familiarize the iconic names of the best black poets in the country during the holiday, and you can present it using a Black Poetry Day illustration.
Black Poetry Day Design Background Ideas and Examples
Whether you create a new poem after getting inspiration from Black Poetry Day or write a special message commemorating this event, don’t forget to apply a Black Poetry Day design background to match the theme very well.
Black Poetry Day Quote Vector Ideas and Examples
Quote your favorite part of a poem in verbatim by mentioning it inside a Black Poetry Day quote vector and sharing it with your friends.
Black Poetry Day Drawing Background Ideas and Examples
Be artsy with your Black Poetry Day greeting celebration using motifs that are almost sketched, such as this Black Poetry Day drawing background template.
Black Poetry Day Poster Vector Ideas and Examples
Make a mark with your Black Poetry Day greeting using a hard-to-miss Black Poetry Day poster vector template that you can publish both in print and digital.
Black Poetry Day Photo Background Ideas and Examples
What better way to commemorate Black Poetry Day than to post a picture of your favorite black poet using a Black Poetry Day photo background?
Black Poetry Day Greeting Card Vector Ideas and Examples
Craft your own greeting card whether in digital or print without working from scratch if you optimize a Black Poetry Day greeting card vector template.
FAQs
Why do we celebrate Black Poetry Day?
It is to remember the pioneer of black poetry, Jupiter Hammon, as well as the many profound African-American poets in the US.
What is the theme for Black Poetry Day?
It is to acknowledge black heritage, history, and literacy.
What do you do on Black Poetry Day?
During this holiday, people write poems, greet black poets, research past and current black poets, attend black poetry readings, create posts on social media with the hashtag #BlackPoetryDay, and participate in gatherings honoring Black Poetry Day.
Why is Black Poetry Day on October 17?
October 17 is the birth date of the popular poet Jupiter Hammon.
What are Random Acts of Poetry Day?
Random Acts of Poetry Day occurs on the very first Wednesday of October and its purpose is to promote loads of poetry.
How do you celebrate Black Poetry Day?
You may post on social media about the holiday, read more poems made by black folks, research more on the famous black poets of the past, and attend current events or poem slams related to Black Poetry Day.
Who was the first black woman to write poetry?
She was Phillis Wheatley.
What is the message of Black Poetry Day?
It is a reminder of the many works of black people in literature including how their experiences during the slavery period were retold in poetry.
What are the main categories of African American poetry?
The main categories or themes of African-American poetry are the struggle for freedom, black identity, black experience, black music and language, and family.
When was the first Black Poetry Day?
The first Black Poetry Day started when the holiday was established back in 1985.
What are the facts about Black Poetry Day?
Jupiter Hammon’s very first poem to be published in America happened when he was already 49 years old, this poem was called “An Evening Thought,” Stanley Ransom proposed the said holiday, and Phillis Wheatley was the first black woman to have published a poem.
Who invented black poetry?
These are Jupiter Hammon, Lucy Terry, and Phillis Wheatley.
What is the importance of Black Poetry Day?
Black Poetry Day remembers the many great poems and poets who belong to the black community as well as their contributions to literature and society.
What are the values of Black Poetry Day?
Black Poetry Day teaches beauty, art, language, knowledge, and power in the form of writing.
Have there been any black Poet Laureate?
Indeed, three African-American poets were placed in the Poet Laureate back in the 20th century.
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