Get to Know: Pat Parker
“In other words – if you really want to be my friend – don’t
make a labor of it. I’m lazy. Remember.
”
Who is Pat Parker?
Many poets leave an indelible mark on both the literary world and the hearts of those who encounter their words. For me, Pat Parker, a straight-talking, phenomenal poet and activist, is undoubtedly one of those remarkable voices. From Houston, Texas, Parker published five collections (not including anthologies, best of’s and nonfiction):
Child of Myself- 1972
Pit Stop-1975
Woman Slaughter- 1978
Movement in Black- 1978
Jonestown and Other Madness- 1985
(Honestly, be ready to dig for copies of her books. Try your local book stores and thrift stores first, then try online- my advice)
My Favorite?
My favorite poem from her is: My Lover is a Woman
She is known for her sharp, straight-shooter approach to her pieces. Refusing to pour honey over topics like alcoholism, sex, race, motherhood, etc, Pat Parker's gritty lines are unforgettable to me. She founded the Black Women's Revolutionary Council and the Women's Press Collective (Check out the archive list: http://www.lesbianpoetryarchive.org/book/export/html/82.) Circa 1969-1977. She directed the feminist Women's Health enter in Oakland and she only resigned because of health complications. She was finna ride out. Ten years as a director there. Dope. Unfortunately, the Women’s Heath Center closed in 2009. Read about it here:https://abc7news.com/archive/6752097/
Sadly, in June 1989, Pat Parker's battle with breast cancer came to an end, leaving a void in the world of poetry and activism. Her legacy is imprinted in black and white, on the lips of those who recite her lines and the lives she impacted when she was trail-blazing on this earth.
Look her up. Pat Parker fearlessly confronted the world's injustices and dared to challenge societal norms. She was one of the writers who inspired me to write with my chest out.
Top right photo of Pat Parker (the one where she’s on the mic):© 2016 JEB (Joan E. Biren)
Top bottom photo: November 6, 1978. Photo by Leigh Mosley
**All updates and corrections, please let me know. Dm on IG at @authorjfarrell.**
