From Totems to Hip-Hop: A Multicultural Anthology of Poetry Across the Americas 1900-2002

by Ishmael Reed (Editor)

Celebrated novelist, poet, and MacArthur fellow Ishmael Reed pushes the boundaries once again in the publication of From Totems to Hip Hop—a truly all-inclusive multicultural anthology—a literary event which will finally even the playing field. This important collection synthesizes and presents broad swaths of work from poets of all races and backgrounds, as only Reed can, ranging from Gertrude Stein to Ai, from Bessie Smith to Askia Toure, from W. C. Handy to the little-known poetry of Ernest Hemingway. Through his unique position in American letters, as writer, teacher, and even publisher, Reed has an unparalleled working knowledge of many of the more marginalized voices in American poetry. This collection will reflect that unique access by including acknowledged masters as well as lesser known talents in greater variety than any previous anthology. From Totems to Hip Hop will cover American poetry from its pre-Columbian origins to the hip hop lyricists of today and, with the guidance of Reed's thoughtful and provocative introduction and headnotes, trace the remarkably rich cross-pollination which has continually occurred across racial and cultural lines.

Genres: Poetry, Anthologies, Teaching, Music, Nonfiction, Reference

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Ishmael Scott Reed is an American poet, essayist, and novelist. A prominent African-American literary figure, Reed is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture, and highlighting political and cultural oppression.

Reed has been described as one of the most controversial writers. While his work has often sought to represent neglected African and African-American perspectives, his energy and advocacy have centered more broadly on neglected peoples and perspectives irrespective of their cultural origins.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the ideology more than the content here. "From Totems to Hip Hop" is a clanging chorus of voices from the margins of political society. That means, while recognizable writers like W.E.B DuBois, Marianne Moore and Muriel Rukeyser get their say, there is a wonderful smattering of contributions from lesser-known writers, including some of Reed's own students, as well as popular artists like Dead Prez. These new voices are woven seamlessly into the text, without apology or explanation. This legitimizes their place among the more prominent figures, and is well in keeping with the volume's overarching concern for the historically, politically and socially voiceless.

Moderating the discussion between these diverse voices is Reed's helpful and buoyant series of introductory essays at the start of every section, and the collection of poetic manifestos closing out the anthology. Reed's essays highlight the fact that this is a very personal collection, and he makes a good apology for why he included what he did. The manifestos often veer into abstruse academic and political jargon, and they ought to have opened the collection, rather than closed it, because they try to clarify the ideas contained in many of the poems.

Those ideas are not always readily apparent from the poems themselves. This is largely modernist poetry, unanchored by formalism and frequently characterized by extreme abstractness of expression. I personally don't much care for such free verse, but the liberty of expression, at the same time, mirrors the overall themes of political and social freedom.

This is a good starting point for a closer look at any of the poets anthologized here; a bit closer study is needed to get the full effect of their works. But for diversity, cohesion of theme, and solid guidance to a broad, if cursory introduction to multicultural poetry, "From Totems to Hip-Hop" is hard to beat.

[Mikael · Rating 5 out of 5]

a present from my then girlfriend for our impending break-up. she wrote something like 'thanks 4 yr kind words, but most of all thanks 4 what youve put in between the words' or something. ive always been good with words. i dont know what she meant by what i put in between the words. hatred? disappoinment? constant whinging? youd think from the title that this book would be filed with constant whinging from disaffected minority groups. you couldnt be more wrong. what is there between the words, in the words, is proof that poetry could be the most powerful weapon mankind has ever devised. how abstract. but so be it. thank you for what youve put in between the french flaps of this book mr. editor whose name ive forgotten because im such an occidentalist i have trouble remembering arabic-sounding names.

[melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say that I have "finished" this, but I come back to it from time to time. I think it is a nice collection.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I sleep I will attempt to sum up a 560 page book of poetry that I spent 8 and half months (on and off) reading.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing anthology for anyone who loves poetry, not simply meant as a textbook (though it works quite well for college or HS classrooms as well). So many names that were new to me and shouldn’t have been. I look forward to re-reading it many times.

[Breakzqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ishmael Reed published one of my poems in here.

[Seven · Rating 3 out of 5]

overall good read!!!

[angrykitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a really nice book if you're looking for more non-mainstream poetry. esp. by non-dead-not-white-guys. if you use it for classroom use, you do need to watch for inappropriate language...:)

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC collection. HIGHLY recommended.

[Mikal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetry anthology that I draw from throughout the year for my classes. I wont "finish" this book in the traditional way.

[Leslie D. Soule · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very eclectic collection of well-written American poetry.

[Mahad]

helps to bridge one's knowledge about the language of the human soul- regardless of color, academic markers, gender, and other boxes

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of poems... Interesting and thought provoking!

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the anthology immensely! Ishmael Reed is a gem of an editor.

[Colton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lorna Dee Cervantes, am I right?

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was assigned this in my Multi-Ethnic American literature class and I think it does the job well conveying vast different cultures into one book. There are subtle differences in each cultures outlook and experience in American culture. But they all want to be here and its the universal immigrant experience. It also did a good job making me like poetry. I realized I specifically hate Victorian poetry because of the Christian elements. It becomes to structured and predictable unlike this poetry. I like the chaos so give it to me in poetry.

[Diane Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love poetry I really do, and I enjoyed approx half of the poems and essays. Some of it I found offensive the terminology the phrases that were outdated. However I appreciate they are words of there era so too speak. Would I recommend this book to fellow poet lovers, disappointingly, no I would not...🙃📚

[Max Amberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

mmmm poems