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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
Allison Whittenberg reads her poem at its conclusion.
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photo of Marian Anderson, 1940, by Carl Van Vechten/via Wikimedia Commons
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Willkommen der Platz
Nassau Inn dedicated to providing unmatched hospitality
to all
unless, it’s 1937
and Marian Anderson wants to sleep over
entrance denied
service refused
winsome throat left out in the cold after a sold out a performance at the McCarter
you don’t have to be Einstein
to know that’s wrong
but, Albert did open his Princeton home to Marian
in a gesture of grace
……………..that was pure genius
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This poem (and reading) appears in the printed anthology, Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry, Vol. II
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Listen to Allison Whittenberg read her poem
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Born in Philadelphia and educated in New York and Wisconsin, Allison Whittenberg is an award winning novelist and playwright. Her poetry has appeared in Berlin Lit, Columbia Review, Feminist Studies, J Journal, and New Orleans Review. Whittenberg is a ten-time Pushcart Prize nominee. Driving with a Poetic License and They Were Horrible Cooks are her collections of poetry. Killing the Father of Our Country is her latest novel.
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In 1939, Marian Anderson scheduled an appearance at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., but was denied the use of the building by its owners, the Daughters of the American Revolution, who objected to the presentation of a black performer. Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her membership in the DAR in protest of this decision and then scheduled an appearance for Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. The resulting concert, attended by thousands and broadcast nationwide, forever established Anderson as an ambassador for racial progress — a role she embraced with great pride and success for the remainder of her career. Fittingly, Anderson’s 1955 appearance at the Metropolitan Opera marked the first by an African-American singer, preparing the way for such future stars as Leontyne Price and Shirley Verrett.
-Rovi Staff/All Music Guide
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Watch a short film – excerpted from PBS’ American Experience documentary “Voice of Freedom” – about Marian Anderson’s performance at the 1939 Easter Sunday performance at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. [PBS]
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Click for:
Information about Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry, Vol. II (featuring women poets)
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
War. Remembrance. Walls. The High Price of Authoritarianism – by editor/publisher Joe Maita
“Where the Music Wasn’t Allowed,” Jane McCarthy’s winning story in the 71st Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician
Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter
Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)
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