Dudley Randall | "Booker T. and W.E.B."
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In this week's episode of the Get Lit Minute, we discuss the life and work of poet Dudley Randell. Included in this episode is a reading of Randell's poem, "Booker T. and W.E.B." The full poem is also available below. The influence of Dudley Randall, founder of Broadside Press and Detroit\\u2019s first poet laureate, \\u201chas been one of the strongest\\u2014some say the strongest\\u2014in the black poetry movement of the last 15 years,\\u201d argued Suzanne Dolezal in Detroit magazine. \\u201cAs publisher of Detroit\\u2019s Broadside Press between 1965 and 1977, Randall provided a forum for just about every major black poet to come along during those years. And dozens of anthologies include his own rapid, emotional lyrics about Detroit\\u2019s bag ladies, lonely old drunks, strapping foundry workers, and young women with glistening, corn-rowed hair,\\u201d she continued. \\u201cBeyond Randall\\u2019s contributions as a poet, his roles as editor and publisher have proven invaluable to the Afro-American community,\\u201d R. Baxter Miller wrote in the Dictionary of Literary Biography.
Booker T. and W.E.B.
\\u201cIt seems to me,\\u201d said Booker T.,
\\u201cIt shows a mighty lot of cheek
To study chemistry and Greek
When Mister Charlie needs a hand
To hoe the cotton on his land,
And when Miss Ann looks for a cook,
Why stick your nose inside a book?\\u201d
\\u201cI don\\u2019t agree,\\u201d said W.E.B.,
\\u201cIf I should have the drive to seek
Knowledge of chemistry or Greek,
I\\u2019ll do it. Charles and Miss can look
Another place for hand or cook.
Some men rejoice in skill of hand,
And some in cultivating land,
But there are others who maintain
The right to cultivate the brain.\\u201d
\\u201cIt seems to me,\\u201d said Booker T.,
\\u201cThat all you folks have missed the boat
Who shout about the right to vote,
And spend vain days and sleepless nights
In uproar over civil rights.
Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse,
But work, and save, and buy a house.\\u201d
\\u201cI don\\u2019t agree,\\u201d said W.E.B.,
\\u201cFor what can property avail
If dignity and justice fail.
Unless you help to make the laws,
They\\u2019ll steal your house with trumped-up clause.
A rope\\u2019s as tight, a fire as hot,
No matter how much cash you\\u2019ve got.
Speak soft, and try your little plan,
But as for me, I\\u2019ll be a man.\\u201d
\\u201cIt seems to me,\\u201d said Booker T.\\u2014
\\u201cI don\\u2019t agree,\\u201d
Said W.E.B.