Kevin Coval tells Chicago's story through poems
On March 4, 2017 Kevin Coval released his book of poems entitled "A People's History of Chicago". The book contains 77 poems, one for each of Chicago's neighborhoods. The book also contains a forward written by Chance the Rapper. Chance and Coval met when Chance was in high school and the rap sensation refers to Coval as "his artistic father."
When looking for news on this particular book, I noticed I could only find information on it in Illinois based newspapers. Which makes sense to an extent, but I believe that such art should be reported on a national level.
However, I read from both the Chicago Tribune and The Independent (from Northeastern Illinois University) that the city as a whole was excitedly anticipating the release of the book.
The Independent said 'In anticipation of the release, "The Southside Weekly" published one of Coval's poems titled "The Father is a Black Man" reminding Chicago that its founding father 'the first non-native/to settle in Chicago/ Jean Baptiste Point du Sable/ was a hustler'-and black."
The Independent also focused on how the book was a play on of the People's History of The United States and how it gave insight on perspectives from "the other side". Making the book release political as well as artistic.
The Chicago Tribune on the other hand, praised all of the artistic aspects of the book. Such as the poems themselves as well as the art in the book made by Chicago artists. The Tribune said "...the book contains visual portraits, too, of famous Chicagoans from Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable to Ida B. Wells-Barnett to Chief Keef."
The release of Coval's book is a very exciting thing for Chicago natives. Now, people from all over the world can enjoy Coval's poems and understand why we believe Chicago is the best city in the world.
Chicago Tribune Link
The Independent Link
photo originally from: amazon.com
When looking for news on this particular book, I noticed I could only find information on it in Illinois based newspapers. Which makes sense to an extent, but I believe that such art should be reported on a national level.However, I read from both the Chicago Tribune and The Independent (from Northeastern Illinois University) that the city as a whole was excitedly anticipating the release of the book.
The Independent said 'In anticipation of the release, "The Southside Weekly" published one of Coval's poems titled "The Father is a Black Man" reminding Chicago that its founding father 'the first non-native/to settle in Chicago/ Jean Baptiste Point du Sable/ was a hustler'-and black."
The Independent also focused on how the book was a play on of the People's History of The United States and how it gave insight on perspectives from "the other side". Making the book release political as well as artistic.
The Chicago Tribune on the other hand, praised all of the artistic aspects of the book. Such as the poems themselves as well as the art in the book made by Chicago artists. The Tribune said "...the book contains visual portraits, too, of famous Chicagoans from Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable to Ida B. Wells-Barnett to Chief Keef."
The release of Coval's book is a very exciting thing for Chicago natives. Now, people from all over the world can enjoy Coval's poems and understand why we believe Chicago is the best city in the world.
Chicago Tribune Link
The Independent Link
photo originally from: amazon.com
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