Too Black, Too Strong by Benjamin Zephaniah

Too Black, Too Strong

Benjamin Zephaniah

A raw and accessible collection, written in a direct and uncompromising script. Zephaniah translates his powerful oratory to one page well; it is possible to hear his driven, rhythmic speech as you turn the pages. An evocative account of Black Britain in the first year of the New Millennium.

Extract


The death of Stephen Lawrence
Has taught us to love each other
And never to take the tedious task
Of waiting for a bus for granted.
Watching his parents watching the cover up
Begs the question
What are the trading standards here?
Why are we paying for a police force
That will not work for us?

from What Stephen Lawrence Has Taught Us

 

Parallels
  • Anything by Gill Scott Heron (singer and musician)
  • Anything by Patience Agbabi
  • Anything by Linton Kwesi Johnson