In Trump's America, we can find courage and refuge in poetry

In the tumultuous landscape of Trump's America, where outrage and division seem to be the only constants, there is a beacon of hope that refuses to be extinguished – the power of poetry. June Jordan, a poet, essayist, professor, and activist who has left an indelible mark on the literary world, embodies this resilience.

Jordan's work serves as a testament to her unyielding commitment to justice, love, and humanity. In "This Unruly Witness: June Jordan's Legacy", a meticulously curated anthology edited by Lauren Muller, Becky Thompson, Dominique C. Hill, and Durrell M. Callier, featuring literary luminaries like Angela Davis, Naomi Shihab Nye, and E. Ethelbert Miller, we witness the poet's unwavering courage in the face of adversity.

Through her writing, Jordan skillfully navigates the complexities of identity, politics, and social structures, often finding herself at odds with the status quo. Her poetry is a powerful rebuke to the notion that individuals are doomed by their circumstances, instead illuminating the agency and resilience that lies within each person.

The editors' thoughtful curation of narratives from those who studied with Jordan and were mentored by her offers a profound understanding of this complex woman's work. In Maria Poblet's essay "Puño en Alto! Libro Abierto!/ First Up! Book Open!: On Anti-Intellectualism, Literacy Brigades, and Revolutionary Consciousness", we see Jordan's unwavering dedication to empowering marginalized communities, particularly women, through the power of education.

The anthology also sheds light on Jordan's tireless advocacy for social justice, from her fight against cancer to her vocal opposition to police brutality. In E. Ethelbert Miller's essay "Some of Us Did Not Die", we witness a deeply personal perspective on Jordan's work, separating her body of writing into distinct categories that highlight the breadth and depth of her vision.

For those who have been silenced or marginalized, Jordan's poetry offers a powerful antidote to the narratives that seek to erase their voices. In this era of division and isolation, "This Unruly Witness: June Jordan's Legacy" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and collective action.

As we grapple with the challenges of our own time, it is tempting to wonder what June Jordan would do in response. Would she speak truth to power? Would she continue to challenge us to see the world through her eyes – eyes that saw everything, yet refused to be defined by it?

In a world where morality has become increasingly politicized, "This Unruly Witness: June Jordan's Legacy" offers a refreshingly uncompromising vision of what it means to live as a human. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the human spirit that refuses to be defeated.
 
omg i'm literally blown away by this anthology 🤯! june jordan's words are like a shot of pure courage and hope 💪... her writing is so raw and honest, it's like she's speaking directly to our souls ❤️... we need more people like her in the world right now! 🌎 let's keep spreading love and kindness, just like jordan did 💕
 
omg this anthology is giving me LIFE 💖📚 i'm literally in awe of June Jordan's work, she was like the ultimate rebel poet, you feel? her writing is so raw and honest, it's like she's speaking directly to your soul 🤗 i love how the editors curated these essays from people who knew her, it gives you a deeper understanding of her vision and impact. this book is not just about poetry, it's about the power of words to create change 🌎💪 can't wait to dive in more! 👍
 
[**GIF: A picture of Maya Angelou with a crown, surrounded by books and a quote "Poetry is not an imperfect art, but a perfect one."**](https://www.giphy.com/gifs/queen-may-a-1r3u6V)

[**Image: June Jordan reading poetry at a protest rally**](https://i.imgur.com/qY2dLJN.jpg)

[**Meme: Grumpy Cat with the caption "Poetry is my therapy"**](https://imgur.com/4zC5KZP)

[**Video: A montage of people from different backgrounds reading poetry aloud, with a voiceover saying "Poetry brings us together"**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gH5RwJb7BQ)
 
I just read about this amazing anthology celebrating June Jordan's life & work 🤩📚 and I'm totally blown away by her courage & dedication to justice, love & humanity 💕💪. Her poetry is like a breath of fresh air in these crazy times, reminding us that we have the power to create change & demand empathy from each other 🌎💗. It's so inspiring to see people like Jordan using their voices to speak out against injustice & fight for marginalized communities 👊🏼📢. I think this anthology is a must-read for anyone who wants to be reminded of the importance of compassion, collective action & living as humans 💖
 
Man 🤔, I'm telling you, this anthology is like, super suspiciously curated, right? Like, who gets to decide what's worthy of being included and what's not? And have you noticed how all these 'literary luminaries' are suddenly interested in June Jordan's work? It's like they're trying to whitewash her legacy or something 🤷‍♂️. But at the same time, I gotta admit, her poetry is straight fire 🔥, and it's awesome that she was a total trailblazer for marginalized communities.

I'm also lowkey concerned about how this anthology is being used to 'empower' people. Like, is it really just a coincidence that all these essays are focused on social justice and feminism? Or is there something more going on beneath the surface? 🤐 And what's up with the timing of its release? Is it trying to distract us from something else entirely? I don't know, man... I'm just saying, we gotta keep our eyes peeled for any hidden agendas 🕵️‍♂️.
 
I just read this thing about some poet lady June Jordan and I'm like totally confused 🤔. Who was she again? And why are people so excited about her poems? Is it because they're good or something? I don't get it 😐. Also, what's with all the other people talking about her in this article? They seem really cool though - Angela Davis and Naomi Shihab Nye are their names right? 🤷‍♀️ And is "puño en alto" like a phrase or something? Can someone explain it to me? 🤔
 
I'm low-key obsessed with this new anthology about June Jordan 🤯. Like, have you read her poetry? She's been saying all these things we need to hear but never really get to listen to for ages 💡. I love how she writes about resistance and rebellion without being all bitter or angry, you know? It's like she's trying to make us think differently, not just react 🤔. The thing is, her legacy isn't just about the poetry – it's about who we are as humans when we're forced to confront our own biases and privilege. We need more of that in our lives, trust me 💖.
 
I just read this anthology about June Jordan and I'm blown 😮 away by her legacy. Her writing is like a shot of pure hope in these crazy times 🌎. She's all about empowering marginalized communities, especially women 💪, and speaking truth to power 💥. Her poetry is like a wake-up call - it makes you think about the world differently and how we can be better agents of change 🤯.

I love how the editors curated this anthology with essays from people who knew her, it's so insightful 📚. And what I appreciate most is that her work isn't just for the 'in' crowd, it's for anyone who's ever felt silenced or marginalized 👂. Her writing is like a shield against the noise and hate that surrounds us 🔥.

We need more people like June Jordan in our lives - fierce, compassionate, and unapologetic 💖. This anthology is a reminder that poetry can be a powerful tool for change 📝. It's making me want to dive deeper into my own writing and see how I can use it to make a difference 💫.
 
🌟 I'm so grateful for poets like June Jordan who inspire us with their words 🙏! Her work is like a breath of fresh air, reminding us that we have the power to create change 💥. It's amazing how her poetry can challenge our perspectives and make us think about social justice in a whole new way 🤯. As I was reading this anthology, I felt like I'm learning from an incredible teacher who refuses to be silenced 💪. We need more voices like hers today! 😊 #PoetryForChange #JuneJordanLegacy #EmpowermentThroughWords
 
🤣 can you imagine Trump reading June Jordan's poetry? "Folks, believe me, no one was better at being oppressed than I am" 😂. But seriously, this anthology is like a breath of fresh air in these crazy times. It's like a big ol' hug from the universe, reminding us that we're all human and deserve to be treated with love and respect 🤗. And let's be real, June Jordan was like the ultimate activist-poet – she wouldn't let anyone silence her, not even cancer 💪! The only thing I'd add is that we need more of this kind of powerful poetry in our lives, and less of the noise 📢. This anthology is a reminder that words have power, folks, so let's use them to build each other up instead of tearing each other down 💕!
 
🌟 you know what gets me about this news? its like, we're living in a world where people are so divided and outraged all the time, but then we have these voices like june jordan who just refuse to back down. she's not afraid to speak her mind and challenge the status quo, even when it means going up against the powers that be. its like, what if we could all just tap into that same sense of courage and conviction? 🤔

and i love how this anthology brings together these incredible writers who were inspired by jordan's work. it's like, a testament to the power of poetry and literature to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations. but at the same time, its also kinda heartbreaking because we know that there are still so many people out there who are struggling to be heard. 💔

anyway, i just think its really beautiful how jordan's legacy is being celebrated in this way. it feels like a reminder that our words have the power to shape the world around us, and that we all have a responsibility to use them for good. 🌈
 
I think its super cool that poets like June Jordan are making waves with their words 💪📚. They're not afraid to speak truth to power and challenge the status quo, even when it's hard 💯. It's awesome that this anthology is shedding light on her legacy and all the good she did in the world 🌎. We could use more people like her who are willing to stand up for what's right, even if it means going against the grain 🔥. Poetry has a way of touching our hearts and making us think about things differently 🤔. This anthology is a great reminder that we all have a voice and can make a difference in our own ways 💕.
 
I'm totally down for this - poetry can actually bring us together in these crazy times 🤝. I mean, think about it, June Jordan's work isn't just about her own experiences but also about giving a voice to others who've been silenced or marginalized. Her writing is like a big ol' hug from the universe, reminding us that we're all in this together 💕. And can we talk about how powerful it is that she didn't shy away from tackling tough topics like social justice and police brutality? That takes some serious courage 💪. What I love most about this anthology is that it's not just a collection of her work but also a window into the world of those who knew and were inspired by her. It's like we're getting to see the bigger picture here 🌐. All in all, "This Unruly Witness" is exactly what we need right now - a dose of empathy, compassion, and humanity 💫.
 
I'm not buying into the hype about this poetry anthology, 🤔. I mean, don't get me wrong, June Jordan sounds like an amazing person and her work is probably super inspiring and all that, but I just can't see why it's such a big deal right now 🤷‍♀️. The world's always been divided and people's always been fighting for justice and love, what's the difference? 🙄

And don't even get me started on how this is going to change anything 😒. We're still living in Trump's America and we're still dealing with all sorts of problems, like climate change and economic inequality... where's June Jordan's answer to that? 🤷‍♂️ I'm not seeing it 💔.

I guess what I'm saying is, I wish people would focus on solving real problems instead of just celebrating more feel-good anthologies 🙄. Can't we do better than that? 🤞
 
💥 I'm loving this anthology! June Jordan's words are like a punch in the gut - they'll make you feel all the feels and maybe even challenge your own biases 🤯. What I love most about her work is how she uses poetry to humanize people who've been dehumanized by society. It's like she's saying, "Hey, we're more than just statistics or news headlines, we're complex beings with thoughts, feelings, and stories" 📚. The way she navigates identity politics and social justice issues is so nuanced and refreshing - it's like she's holding up a mirror to the system and saying, "Hey, let's take a closer look at this" 🔍. Can't wait to dive deeper into her work!
 
🤔 I think what resonates with me most about June Jordan's work is her refusal to back down in the face of adversity 🌟. As someone who's growing up in a world where outrage and division are so prevalent, it's refreshing to see a poet who isn't afraid to speak truth to power 💪. Her writing feels like a reminder that we all have agency and can choose how we respond to the world around us 💕.

I also love how her work highlights the importance of empathy and compassion 🤗. In a world where it's easy to get caught up in our own bubbles, Jordan's poetry reminds us that there are always other perspectives out there waiting to be heard 👂.

What do you guys think? Do we need more voices like June Jordan's in today's world? 💬
 
You know I'm all about keeping things grammatically correct 🤓. But seriously, June Jordan's legacy is something we need more of in today's world – her unwavering commitment to justice, love, and humanity is a breath of fresh air 💨. The fact that this anthology brings together so many powerful voices and perspectives is a real win 🎉. It's like she's saying, "Hey, we're all in this together, let's use our words to uplift each other!" 🤝 I mean, who wouldn't want to be inspired by someone who refuses to be silenced or defined by their circumstances? 💖 The poetry is like a slap in the face to all the hate and division out there – it's like, "Hey, wake up! We're all human beings deserving of love and respect!" ❤️ This anthology is a must-read for anyone looking for a dose of hope and empathy 📚.
 
I'm so glad to see more people talking about poetry and its impact on our world 🌎💖. I mean, think about it - poetry has always been a powerful tool for self-expression and social change 💪. And June Jordan's work is just incredible, you know? She was all about speaking truth to power and using her platform to amplify marginalized voices 👊.

I love how the anthology showcases her work in all its complexity and depth 📚. It's like, we're not always going to agree on everything, but poetry can help us find common ground and understand each other's perspectives 🤝. And let's be real, it's so easy to get caught up in our own little bubbles of outrage and division - but poetry has a way of breaking through all that noise 💥.

For me, June Jordan's legacy is all about hope and resilience 🔓. She reminds us that even when things feel darkest, we've got the power to create change and fight for what's right ✨. So here's to her and all the other poets out there who are using their words to make a difference 🙌.
 
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