Sights and Sounds is your weekly guide the Bay Area arts scene through the eyes and ears of local artists. During the pandemic, we're offering suggestions for ways to experience art and culture from home. This week, host Jenee Darden speaks with San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck.
"Tribal Chant" by Carol Lee Sanchez
Poet Carol Lee Sanchez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and later studied at San Francisco State University. She taught at her alma mater, along with Mills Colleges and other universities in California. Sanchez is of Laguna Pueblo, Sioux and Lebanese-American heritage. Her poem "Tribal Chant" is about her mixed-race identity.
“Good Grease” by Mary TallMountain
The late Mary TallMountain was a Native Alaskan writer , but spent much of her life in San Francisco. She founded the Tenderloin Women Writers Workshop. Much of her work centers on her Native American culture. Her beloved poem “Good Grease” reminisces over a family meal. Watch/listen to her read her poem.
"The Dumb Class" by Reginald Lockett
This poem is about the racial inequality in K-12 education. The late Oakland Poet Reginald Lockett was an award-winning writer. He taught at community colleges around the Bay Area, including San Jose City College for more than 20 years. This piece is featured on Kim Shuck's Poem of the Day series on 8/2/2020.
San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck is the author of Deer Trails and Whose Water. Visit the San Francisco Public Library's website for her Poems of the Day series featuring pieces by local poets.
