An exploration of race and heritage, For My People is the first book by poet and novelist Margaret Walker (1915-1998) and the 41st volume of the Yale Series of Younger Poets
Considered among the most important collections of poetry written by a participant in the Black Chicago Renaissance, For My People is a series of ballad poems with memorable characters, including the New Orleans sorceress Molly Means; Kissie Lee, a tough young woman who dies "with her boots on switching blades"; Poppa Chicken, an urban drug dealer and pimp; John Henry, killed by a ten-pound hammer; and Stagolee, who kills a white officer but eludes a lynch mob. The memorable title poem evokes the power of resilience not only for black people, but for all people.
- ISBN10 0300002513
- ISBN13 9780300002515
- Publish Date January 1969 (first published December 1968)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 17 October 2003
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Yale University Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 58
- Language English