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Established in 2005, Back on the Block is a progressive publication whose mission is to educate, enlighten, entertain and sometimes challenge. Often critical, sometimes cynical, sometimes irreverent – but always hopeful that what we say and the information that we provide touches the heart and mind.

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The Last Poets: the hip-hop forefathers who gave black America its voice

May 18, 2018
8 min

The Last Poets: the hip-hop forefathers who gave black America its voice

It is half a century since the Last Poets stood in Harlem, uttered their first words in public, and created the blueprint for hip-hop. At an intimate open house session, they explain why their revolutionary words are still needed By Rebecca Bengal | The Guardian |Fri 18 May 2018 01.00 EDT You can trace the birth of hip-hop to the summer of 1973 when Kool Herc DJ’d the first extended breakbeat, much to the thrill of the dancers at a South Bronx block party. You can trace its c

Langston Hughes’ Harlem Home Is Officially For The People

Feb 4, 2017
2 min

Langston Hughes’ Harlem Home Is Officially For The People

A non-profit has reclaimed the space where the poet once lived. By Rahel Gebreyes / Editor, HuffPost / 02/03/2017 04:44 pm ET | Updated 1 day ago Harlem artists and writers can finally call Langston Hughes’ home their own. The I, Too, Arts Collective, named for Hughes’ poem “I, Too,” held an opening event Wednesday evening at Hughes’ Harlem brownstone and invited the community to mingle, have refreshments and check out its new space. There was reason to celebrate. Not only

While You Were Sleeping – Happy Valentine’s Day!

Feb 14, 2012
1 min

While You Were Sleeping – Happy Valentine’s Day!

The lights of the city streets softly illuminated the room. You lay there sleeping just moments after we had made love for the very first time. Still glistening with perspiration from the passion we had just shared, a gentle smile graced your lovely face, which seemed to glow in the early morning light. It was if I were seeing you for the first time. Your soft brown eyes, the curve of your lips, the roundness of your face, your long flowing hair. I traced the outline of your

Kids Count: Tallying the High Costs of the Economy for Children

Aug 27, 2011
4 min

Kids Count: Tallying the High Costs of the Economy for Children

Marian Wright Edelman – President, Children’s Defense Fund Posted: 8/26/11 04:28 PM ET “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.” This passage from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize is part of the Inscription Wall of the new memorial honoring Dr. King on the National Mall. But as we

Quandary, of Sorts

Jun 17, 2011
1 min

Quandary, of Sorts

Do we act on change for the sake of it? Or, do we stay with the tried and true, cause it’s the thing to do? Do we continue to conserve and preserve bankrupt polices and outdated ideas while thousands die in foreign lands and here hundreds of thousands more rush head long into poverty, homelessness and despair? Or, do we care? Are we swayed by words the likes of which we haven’t heard since the days of Kennedy and King? My country tis’ of thee land of the brave and free is th

On a Pallet of Straw

Dec 22, 2010
1 min

On a Pallet of Straw

They did not travel in an airplane. They did not travel by car. They did not travel on a streamline train. They traveled on foot from afar. They traveled on foot from afar. They did not seek a hotel, They did not seek an inn, They did not seek a bright motel, They sought a cattle bin. They sought a cattle bin. Who were these travelers on the road? And where were they going? And Why? They were Three Wise Men who came from the East, And they followed a star in the sky.

Little-Known Black History Fact: Claude McKay

Dec 10, 2010
2 min

Little-Known Black History Fact: Claude McKay

By: Erica Taylor / The Tom Joyner Morning Show – December 10, 2010 Claude McKay was a pioneering Jamaican-American poet and author during the Harlem Renaissance, who released the first publications of that historic period in black history. Born Festius Claudius McKay, he was born to a well-to-do family that made sure he received the best education possible. McKay would begin writing poetry at the early age of 10. By 1912, McKay had taken the advice of his mentor, Walter Jekyl

The Last Man Living

Nov 13, 2010
1 min

The Last Man Living

When the last man living Is left alive on earth, And somebody knocks at the door – If I am the last man living I will be no more! Who’s that? No answer. Who is that, I say? If you don’t intend to answer, Then – just – go – away. Might you be human – Or might you be a ghost? Or can you be myself Imagining things, at most If you’re somebody else, And I’m the last man alive, Just get on away from here – ‘Cause I don’t want no jive! Langston Hughes What up family? I

Who Remains Standing?

Nov 5, 2010
1 min

Who Remains Standing?

First, erase your name, unravel your years, destroy your surroundings, uproot what you seem, and who remains standing? Then, rewrite your name, restore your age, rebuild your house, pursue your path, and then, endlessly, start over, all over again. Andree Chedid (b. 1921) To friend who shared some very personal experiences from their past with me yesterday. I can’t help but feel this is an appropriate thought for you today. Who remains standing? Have a great weekend family,

A Women Who Loves

Oct 15, 2010
1 min

A Women Who Loves

A women who loves impossible men sits a long time indoors watching windows she has no brother who understands where she is going her sisters offer their own breast up, full and creamy vessels but she cannot drink because she loves impossible men. A woman who loves impossible men listens to music she cannot sing she drinks good sherry swallowing around the notes rusted in her throat but she does not fill she is already full of love for impossible men. A women who loves impossi

The Artist

Oct 11, 2010
1 min

The Artist

I am no artist but in bed I can paint with my fingertip your breast, your mouth and cheeks, and surely your crooked smile that floats around your eyebrows as you sleep. When the neighbors are gone and even the cricket quiet I am still to shy to sing the songs you taught me to the sleeping cat. I am not a poet but I can describe your glance, your voice, the way you walk in the garden before coming to bed, even each separate pebble on the path that runs the twent

My Father’s Geography

Sep 16, 2010
1 min

My Father’s Geography

I was parading the Co’te d’ Azure, hopping the short trains from Nice to Cannes, following the maze of streets in Monte Carlo to the hills that overlook the vile. A woman fed me pate in the afternoon, calling from her stall to offer me more. At breakfast I talked in French to an old man about what he loved about America – the Kennedys. On the beaches I walked and watched topless women sunbathe and swim, loving both home and being so far from it. At a phone call looking to Afr

WITHOUT

Sep 9, 2010
1 min

WITHOUT

the silence of nature within the power within. the power without. the path is whatever passes – no end in itself. the end is, grace – ease – healing, not saving. singing the proof the proof of the power within. Gary Snyder I don’t think there is anything I could – or should add to this one. Peace, Tenthltr2u #GarySnyder #Poetry

Old Man

Aug 18, 2010
1 min

Old Man

Like an image from an Ansel Adams photograph, his dark brown skin stretched thin over a face that has seen better days. He hurried down the avenue at a pace that belied the need for the walking stick he held tightly by his side. Where was he hurrying to? Where was he hurrying from? Was there someone anxiously awaiting his arrival? Was there someone, anyone awaiting his return? Was he a father? A brother? For certain he was some mother’s son. Were there little ones at family r

Daybreak

Jul 18, 2010
1 min

Daybreak

every day i find a new life my love for freedom, our right to wear robes as we please, never sets. black voices dance in my soul like anxious sparkles. every black man is an epic, sung in the soft keys of survival. o i want, i want to hear be near all of my brothers when i die. Sterling Plumpp every blackman is an epic sung in the soft keys of survival longing to be near all of his brothers when they die Wishing you a safe and pleasant week ahead Peace Ten #Blacklivesmatter #

Old Sailor

Jul 6, 2010
1 min

Old Sailor

He has been Many places In ships That cross the sea, He has studied varied faces, Has tasted mystery, In Oriental cities He breasted Monstrous pities And to all Fleshly pleasures Known the key. Now, Paralyzed, He suns himself In charity’s poor chair – And dreams That women he has left Lament him Everywhere. Langston Hughes To all seafarers now sunning in charity’s chair, Here’s hoping the holiday was safe and the world treats you kindly. Peace, Ten #LangstonHughes #Poetry

I Am A Writer

Jun 18, 2010
1 min

I Am A Writer

I am a writer who came from a sheltered life. A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within. Eudora Welty Wishing you a safe and pleasant weekend family, Peace Tenthltr2u #EudoraWelty #Poetry