"Intertwining personal essays and interviews with distinguished poets, such as Lucille Clifton, Sonia Sanchez, Patricia Smith and Natasha Trethewey, Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books and Questions that Grew Me Up, explores the impact of identity, joy, love, and history on writing and the artistic process in the latter half of the twentieth century"-- Provided by publisher
Exploring the intersections of race, lineage, and trauma, this poetry collection delves into the lives of the author’s ancestors in Petersburg, Virginia. Through meticulous archival research and Womanist scholarship, the poems illuminate themes of mental health, women's rights, and the complexities of inherited trauma. The work contrasts personal experiences with historical narratives, raising poignant questions about what we inherit from our past. Bingham-Risher's lyrical precision captures the tension between lived reality and textbook history, inviting deep reflection on identity and legacy.