YOU SO BLACK

A spoken-word artist adapts her melodic poem into a picture-book celebration of Blackness.

“You so Black, when you smile, the stars come out. / You so Black, when you’re born, / the god come out.” The poem begins by invoking the nighttime sky and stars before moving on to mathematics and the pyramids, both of which originated in Africa. The verses praise the physical, intellectual, and emotional attributes of Black people, highlight their creative contributions, and praise their resilience in the face of hardship. The author stresses the importance of family ties along with the quest for freedom. The narrative makes it clear that Black is more than a color and that it is not restricted to any shade. The evocative language and structure are similar to that of a praise song, an African poetic form. Ladd’s vibrant mixed-media collages pair perfectly with the spirited words and enhance and amplify their meaning. The bold colors and striking images support the uplifting text. Illustrations of the very recognizable inauguration of President Barack Obama and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial along with depictions of regular Black children and families reinforce the message that Black excellence is everywhere. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An intriguing blend of spoken-word and picture-book artistry.