A history of African American poetry African American poetry is as old as America itself yet this touchstone of American identity is often overlooked. In this critical history of African American poetry from its origins in the transatlantic slave trade to present day hip hop Lauri Ramey traces African American poetry from slave songs to todays award winning poets. Covering a wide range of styles and forms canonical figures like Phillis Wheatley (1753 1784) and Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 1906) are brought side by side with lesser known poets who explored diverse paths of bold originality. Calling for a revised and expanded canon Ramey shows how some poems were suppressed while others were lauded while also examining the role of music women innovation and art as political action in African American poetry. Conceiving of a new canon reveals the influential role of African American poetry in defining and reflecting the United States at all points in the nations history.