Lyric Poetry by Afro-American Writers, Grade 12.

This unit on lyric poetry is organized around two themes which consistently appear in the works of contemporary black writers. The theme of "Negritude," the assertion of the black man's personal and historic identity, is conveyed by such poets as Waring Cuney, Mari Evans, and the two African poets, Leopold Senghor and David Diop. The other theme--an attempt to project through lyric expression a human experience beyond race--is represented by the works of such black poets as Countee Cullen, Gwendolyn Brooks, and LeRoi Jones. Teaching procedures, questions, activities, and poems are provided. (JB)