Showing posts with label African American poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African American poetry. Show all posts

Sunday, September 04, 2022

New book by Black poet: "The Blood is On Your Hands": Poems Against Gun Violence In America

Paperback ------ Kindle


"The Blood is On Your Hands": 
Poems Against Gun Violence In America

George L. Cook III is a former Councilman Board of Education member from Hillside, New Jersey.

Mr. Cook watched the news of the massacres at Buffalo and Uvalde in horror as many of you did.

He watched on May 19, 2022 when a coward entered a supermarket in Buffalo, New York and gunned down ten people for no other reason than they were Black. The bastard believed in White Replacement Theory, a white supremist notion that whites will be replaced by “minorities”.

On May 24, 2022, like most of you, he watched in shock as the news of the shooting in Uvalde, Texas was reported.

He watched a parent’s worst nightmare in shock and anger. He watched and cried as reports of 19 dead children between the ages of 9 and 11 flooded my television, computer, and smartphone screen.

He grew angrier as the hours and the days went by. He grew angrier because he realized no matter what the politicians said, no matter how many thoughts and prayers they gave, he knew nothing would change.

In both cases the 18-year-old gunmen were able to buy AR-15s days before or literally hours before the attacks. How is that even possible?

The CDC lists guns as the #1 cause of death for children in the United States. Yet, those in Congress do nothing.

Things must change and change now!

This anger inspired George Cook to write his book, The Blood is on Your Hands: Poems Against Gun Violence.



Editorial Reviews

Review

"...The poems are beautiful and visceral. It is clear that Cook feels passionately about this subject, and he knows how to communicate that passion across the page."
 
From the Union County  (NJ) Local Source newspaper.

I just read this book. I thought it was brilliant. It Speaks life Into existence as to what is happening in this world...These poems are fabulous, the dedication and respect that George Cook put on them is wonderful. We need to pass these to other people. We need to pray for other people to read this. 
 

Reverend Cherenna Dale-Rawls Community Church of God Plainfield NJ

...The poems are written in memory of the victims. The message is for lawmakers.

Adam Darsky TAPInto Hillside.net

This book written by George L. Cook, and was clearly written, not to raise money,  but to raise awareness to systemic racism and abuse by those in power.

Yes the Blood is on your hands.
Ezekiel 3:18


Elder Donald Boughton Th.B

THE BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS - Poems against gun violence by the Honorable George L. Cook III. This is a easy read and a great tool for all to enjoy!

NJ Assemblyman and Bishop Reginald W. Atkins

The book is available on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle:

Paperback ------ Kindle

Friday, February 21, 2020

Phillis Wheatley: First African American woman to publish a book of poetry

Phillis Wheatley, also spelled Phyllis and Wheatly (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry.

Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.

On a 1773 trip to London with her master's son, seeking publication of her work, she was aided in meeting prominent people who became patrons. The publication in London of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral on September 1, 1773, brought her fame both in England and the American colonies.

Critics consider her work fundamental to the genre of African-American literature,and she is honored as the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry and the first to make a living from her writing.

Monday, January 19, 2015

LOVE, a new collection of poems.

Normally my blog reports on issues in the African American community. In this post I would like to publicize the re-release of my new book, LOVE. It's not about gangsta's, strippers, or drugs but features poems about love. I'm not dissing those that write urban-lit or the genre itself ( I have written one title myself), as there is room for all genres but I am saying that there is much diversity among the topics we as black authors write about. Many authors write poetry (although we know it doesn't sell well) and I would like to share mine with you. I hope you check it out and let me know what you think and feel. I have provided links to Amazon, Nook, and Smashwords so that you can red the book on your phone, kindle, Nook, or laptop. Please check it out, it's only 99 cents.

LOVE, a collection of romantic poems. Poems about love of a spouse, child, family, or even the love of your favorite sports team.

KINDLE

NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-george-l-cook-iii/1121086192?ean=2940150209794&itm=1&usri=2940150209794

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/511744