Freedom Poems: Conversation with a Poet
Upcoming Event
April 13 | Freedom Poems: Conversation with a Poet Appoquinimink Library |
Speaker: Sidney Jacobs
Art & Music Studies • Culture & Identity • History
Listen as Dr. Sidney Jacobs—veteran, sociologist, professor, and poet—performs two of his poems from his upcoming book Freedom Poems: “Harriet” and “Where’s the Unum?”. Learn about his writing process, hear where he finds his inspiration, and get crucial insight into key figures and references in the pieces.
“Harriet” reflects Dr. Jacobs’s personal experience after viewing the movie Harriet and his numerous conflicting conversations about Harriet Tubman with members of his family. This poem explores the complexity of the modern Black experience, particularly themes of generational trauma, agency within slavery, and forgiveness.
“Where’s the Unum?” explores Dr. Jacobs’s experiences as a veteran alongside the current cultural and political divides in the United States. Dr. Jacobs straddles the double consciousness of what it means to be an American, a Black American, and a veteran, tackling the idea of loving a country so much that one feels obligated to scrutinize it.