Look, Black Boy

by Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey

In his debut poem collection Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey explores racial tensions in America form the perspective of a young Black male.

Genres: Poetry

47 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2019

Reviews

[Angie Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every poem was amazing but "Taboo: The Expansion Pack" got me.

[Ellis Carter Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From an encounter with the "n" word, to a teacher's attempt to suffocate his thought process, all the way to the compromising of 3/5th's of his character; The Negro Artist beautifully and patiently explores his experience enduring the Racial Mountain. This book of poetry is filled with poignant observations and commentary on the relationships between The Negro Artist and his peers, The Negro Artist and society, and The Negro Artist and himself. The poems themselves are all structured uniquely to the content of the individual poem, with each formatting decision made by the author adding to the experience of the reader. The Negro Artist carefully chooses his words to immerse the reader in his own experience and evokes a sort of emotion and empathy that is incomparable to any other work of art. This is a book of poetry that stays with the reader far beyond the turn of the last page and encourages self-reflection. An impressive debut that is sure to be revisited time and time again.

[KelliBrommel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've met Caleb and he's an awesome poet.

[Erica (EricaEreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A disclaimer: I am a white woman who grew up and resides in the midwest. Therefore, while I am not qualified or entitled enough to offer commentary on Rainey's lived experiences, I will say this:

1) The midwest (and midwesterners) like to paint themselves as morally superior to all things southern when it comes to racial relations and equality.

2) The midwest is overwhelmingly white. (I wonder why that is?)

3) Parts of Rainey's verses were eye-opening, but too many of them were familiar or confirmed ugly underbellies of midwestern thought that have become more apparent over the last five years.

4) I wish I could hear Rainey read these poems live, because I could hear his voice in my head like a striking bell but my ears ached to hear the hidden melodies a spoken deliverance could reveal.

If you, like me, live in the midwest or call yourself a midwesterner and have been reading all those anti-racist books...they don't count unless you read this one too. I'm taking away your #ally card until you do. Because historically there haven't been a lot of published midwestern black authors sharing their lived experiences in the heartland. (I wonder why that is)