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Letters to America Contemporary American Poetry on Race Edited by Jim Daniels

Letters to America penetrates to the core of the volatile topic of race with poems addressing civil rights, humor, interracial love, segregation, immigration, stereotypes, and violence, among other subjects. The result is a passionate, honest, and courageous anthology featuring Black, Native American, Asian, Arabic, Indian, Hispanic, and white poets. Resonating with anger and hope, bitterness and pride, these poems acknowledge and celebrate our differences, and examine America's shameful history of racial intolerance. Some poems whisper, some shout. They clash at times, and they play off each other in a way that is representative of the diversity of this country. From prisons to universities, from city streets to cocktail parties; poets include Gwendolyn Brooks, Charles Bukowski, Joy Harjo, Langston Hughes, Sharon Olds, James Wright.

"This is a wonderful book. . . for looking at ourselves as a country beginning a new century. This is the real deal: the kitchen table conversation. These poems need to be read. I can't think of a book more timely."—Kenneth McClane, Cornell University

Price:$24.95 ISBN 0-8143-2542-4 230 pages 1996 For sale only in the United States