Knight Songs

Etheridge Knight was a recognized African American poet whose works earned both Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award nominations. In addition, his highly acclaimed work -- among many published works--Belly Song and Other Poems published in 1973, earned Knight honors and awards including fellowships and prizes from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endownment for the Arts, and the Poetry Society of America.

Knight was born in Corinth, Mississippi. He dropped out of high school to serve in the Korean War where he suffered a shrapnel wound which resulted in taking drugs to cope with the pain. This led to a drug addiction. Later, a 1960 robbery conviction resulted in Knight serving eight years in prison. This is where he began to write poetry. It is said that writing poetry gave him a sense of identity. His work caught the attention of Black literary luminaries including Dudley Randall and Gwendolyn Brooks. Much of his work while in prison focused on freedom despite incarceration. According to Knight, the black artist must “perceive and conceptualize the collective aspirations, the collective vision of black people, and through his art form give back to the people the truth that he has gotten from them. He must sing to them of their own deeds, and misdeeds.”

BCCC co-founders Levi and Deborah Frazier had the honor of getting to know and work with Knight. Deborah Frazier’s play, Knight Songs celebrates Etheridge Knight who died in 1991. There will be open mic as well.