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Nikki Giovanni: The Embodiment of Equality

Throughout history, many writers and poets have used their art forms to portray events in

their lives or peoples. Many are still remembered today for their artistic contributions, their

personal input on the respective subjects. One such poet, Nikki Giovanni, used her skills to show

the struggles of African Americans and women during the Civil Rights Movement.

She was born as Yolande Cornelia Giovanni in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7th, 1943.

Brought up in a tightly knit family environment, the way her family members told stories to her

inspired the way she wrote. Her style of writing is advanced enough for adult readers, but also

simple enough for children. Giovanni entered Fisk University, an all-black school, in 1960 and

changed its SNCC’s concepts of black power to non-violent more effective methods. At the time,

a black renaissance was beginning. She organized the Black Arts Festival in Cincinnati after

earning her bachelor’s degree. Shortly after, she entered graduates school at the University of

Pennsylvania and Columbia University. She went on to become an assistant professor of Black

Studies and a professor of English and creative writing in many schools. Nikki was a strong

woman. She showed her independence by stating that she “had a baby at 25 because she could

afford it,” and “did not get married because she could afford it.” She gave birth to her one and

only child, Thomas, in 1969.

Another influence to her poetry is cancer. In 1995, Giovanni was diagnosed with lung

cancer, a problem that arose in many of her family members, including her mother and sister

who were taken by it.

Giovanni took a firm stand in the American Civil Rights Movement. She wanted to get a

point across and at the same time do something “counter revolutionary.” (Contemporary Poets)

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She was the first to be awarded the Rosa Parks Lady of Courage Award. Her passion for equality

stemmed from her experiences with racism in Knoxville as a child. She once commented on the

subject, “You always felt someone was trying to kill you.” Some of her poems focused on other

issues of the time, rather than just inequality for African Americans. One poem, “A Poem on the

Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy,” explains her thoughts on well, the assassination of Robert

F. Kennedy.

In the poem, the beginning of the first stanza shows one of her key points clearly. “Trees

are never felled . . . in summer . . . Not when the fruit . . .

is yet to be borne . . .” She explains how Robert F. Kennedy wasn’t going to be

assassinated until after he achieved great things in one big metaphor. Her first publication was

based almost solely on the assassinations of political figures, especially those involved in the

civil rights movement. She once said, “How can black people be conservative? What have they

got to conserve?” in response to the changes brought on by the Vietnam War in that time period.

Nikki Giovanni left a mark in history. She contributed to arguably one of the most

important periods in American history and helped pave the way for other equalists. Her devotion

to her people and women showed in her works, and will continue to for years to come.