Visual- Poem

 Wyleah Coplin 

African American Lit 1 

Project 

For my Visual Arts project, I created an original poem titled “We Are Not One.” As someone who writes poetry regularly, I wanted to use my own voice to explore the course theme of Binary Oppositions in a way that feels real to me. Writing this poem allowed me to reflect on how freedom and oppression can exist at the same time in the Black American experience. Even though society often says that equality has already been achieved, I question whether that equality is actually felt in everyday life.

The repeated line “we are not one” represents the division I see socially, politically, and emotionally. In the poem, I highlight oppositions such as protest versus riot, Black Lives Matter versus “all lives,” and the unequal consequences people face for similar actions. These contrasts show how perspective and language shape public opinion and influence how situations are judged. I wanted the reader to feel that tension instead of just reading about it.

This project connects to the debate between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Washington believed in gradual progress and focusing on economic growth first. Du Bois argued for immediate civil rights and full equality. Personally, I connect more with Du Bois’s urgency because I believe justice should not be delayed. Waiting quietly can sometimes allow inequality to continue.

For the visual presentation, I will use bold emphasis, intentional spacing, and contrast between black and white text to represent division. The formatting will reflect the theme of opposites. Overall, this project allowed me to combine what I learned in class with my own creative voice in a meaningful way.

   

Click 

https://youtu.be/JtssMte3iLY?si=55Gc9H3Ek23h_eNn