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Poetry of Resistance
Political poetry has a long and illustrious history dating from at least the works of classical Greece and Confucian China. Most recently, it had a resurgence in America following the 2016 election, and in Maoist China with Misty Poets.
Poetry characterized by resistance to a status quo challenges our assumptions and brings us together as we speak and act against the injustices and oppressions of yesterday and today. In desperate times, poetry sometimes thrives. Jane Hirschfield says, “When poetry is a backwater it means times are O.K. When times are dire, that’s exactly when poetry is needed.”
A few of the many recent examples of political poetry/poetry of resistance are:
Citizen by Claudia Rankine
“Stonewall to Standing Rock” by Julian Talamantez Brolaski
“Protest in Philippines” by David Lau
Looking to publish your own poetry of resistance? A few magazines specializing in political poetry sprang up following the 2016 election. Check out Rise Up Review, edited by poet Sonia Greenfield.
