June Jordan Quotes
June Jordan (1936-2002) was an American poet, essayist, and activist. She was a prolific writer, producing over twenty books of poetry, essays, and plays. Jordan was a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice, and her work often addressed issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Her bes…Read More
June Jordan (1936-2002) was an American poet, essayist, and activist. She was a prolific writer, producing over twenty books of poetry, essays, and plays. Jordan was a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice, and her work often addressed issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Her best-known works include the poetry collections Civil Wars (1981) and Technical Difficulties: African-American Notes on the State of the Union (1992), and the essay collections Affirmative Acts: Political Essays (1998) and Soldier: A Poet’s Childhood (2000). Jordan was also a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and was the first African-American woman to be appointed to a full professorship at the school.Read Less
June Jordan (1936-2002) was an American poet, essayist, and activist. She was a prolific writer, producing over twenty books of poetry, essays, and plays. Jordan was a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice, and her work often addressed issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Her best-known works include the poetry collections Civil Wars (1981) and Technical Difficulties: African-American Notes on the State of the Union (1992), and the essay collections Affirmative Acts: Political Essays (1998) and Soldier: A Poet’s Childhood (2000). Jordan was also a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and was the first African-American woman to be appointed to a full professorship at the school.
18 Interesting June Jordan Quotes
June Jordan Career Highlights
- In 1953, Jordan graduated from the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where she was the only African American student in her class.
- In 1957, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College, where she was the only black student in her class.
- In 1967, Jordan published her first book of poetry, “Who Look at Me,” which explored themes of race, gender, and identity.
- In 1969, she became a professor at the City College of New York, where she taught African American Studies and Women’s Studies.
- In 1970, Jordan co-founded the influential feminist magazine “The Feminist Press.”
- In 1971, she published her most famous work, “Some Changes,” which won the American Book Award for Poetry.
- In 1979, Jordan became a professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she taught until 1989.
- In 1980, she published “Civil Wars,” a collection of essays that addressed issues of race, gender, and sexuality.
- In 1991, Jordan became a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught until her death.
- In 1995, she received the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Writers’ Award, which allowed her to focus on her writing for two years.
- In 2000, Jordan was awarded the Chancellor’s Distinguished Lectureship at the University of California, Berkeley.
Key Contributions by June Jordan
- Jordan’s poetry and essays explored themes of race, gender, and identity, challenging societal norms and advocating for marginalized communities.
- She was a prominent voice in the feminist movement, advocating for intersectionality and inclusivity.
- Jordan was a fierce advocate for the rights of women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.
- She used her platform as a professor to educate and inspire future generations of activists and writers.
- Jordan co-founded “The Feminist Press,” which has published works by marginalized writers and continues to promote social justice through literature.
- Her work has been translated into multiple languages and has been widely anthologized.
- Jordan’s writing has been praised for its powerful and evocative use of language, as well as its ability to connect with readers on a personal and emotional level.
What Sets Her Apart:
- Jordan’s writing was deeply personal and often drew from her own experiences as a black woman in America.
- She was unapologetically political and used her platform to speak out against injustice and oppression.
- Jordan’s work was not limited to one specific genre; she wrote poetry, essays, plays, and children’s books, showcasing her versatility as a writer.
- Her writing was accessible and relatable, making her work resonate with a wide audience.
- Jordan’s commitment to social justice and her ability to use her writing as a tool for change set her apart from other writers of her time.
Takeaways
- June Jordan’s work continues to inspire and educate readers about issues of race, gender, and identity.
- She showed that literature can be a powerful tool for social change and activism.
- Jordan’s commitment to intersectionality and inclusivity serves as a reminder to always consider the experiences of marginalized communities.
- Her writing serves as a testament to the importance of using one’s voice to speak out against injustice.
- Jordan’s legacy lives on through her writing and the impact she made on the literary world and the fight for social justice.
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