Lecture Notes: Black Woman by Georgia Douglas Johnson

Overview

• Poem Title: Black Woman
• Poet: Georgia Douglas Johnson
• Publication: Originally published in Bronze: a book of verses (1922). Included in Poem-a-Day by the Academy of American Poets on June 8, 2019.
• Public Domain: Yes

Georgia Douglas Johnson

• Birth: September 10, 1880, in Atlanta
• Education: Atlanta University Normal School, studied music at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Ohio
• Initial Aspiration: Composer

Themes and Occasions

• Themes:
  • Anxiety
  • Existential
  • Family
  • Gender
  • Mothers
  • Public Domain
• Occasions:
  • Black History Month
  • LGBTQ Pride Month
  • Mother’s Day

Poem: Black Woman

• Structure:

  • Written in couplets
  • Reflects a conversation with an unborn child

• Content Summary:

  • The speaker warns a child against the harshness and cruelty of the world
  • Emphasis on protecting the child from the cruelty and sin of the world
  • Expresses sorrow in rejecting the child due to the fear of exposing them to "monster men"
  • Highlights the speaker’s inner conflict and pain in preventing the child’s birth to protect them

Related Works by Georgia Douglas Johnson

• The Octoroon (1923):

  • Explores themes of identity, alienation, and racial identity through the metaphor of "one drop of midnight"

• Youth (1922):

  • Reflects on fleeting youth and time

• Welt (1922):

  • Desires to mend the "fabric of youth" in the face of truth and time

Related Poems

• The blk(est) night by Mahogany L. Browne (2016)
• Lush Life by Morgan Parker (2017)
• This Is Not a Small Voice by Sonia Sanchez (2018)

Additional Information

• Academy of American Poets: Provides resources such as Poem-a-Day, materials for teachers, and literary seminars.
• Support and Involvement:
  • Membership, donation, and bequest opportunities available to support the Academy of American Poets
  • Involvement options include becoming a member, donating, and participating in various programs and projects.