Norma Barker

Black Face Norma Barker

Black Face is a literary imperative! Norma Barker's body of work inspires us all to climb higher. It is a representation of the celebrations, experiences, high, lows and in-betweens of life in Black skin. Her words and thoughts are masterfully layered into free verse, lyrical, humor, Haiku, acrostics and alliteration. Black Face politely acknowledges the issues associated with having a Black Face, from being a little more brown skinned to being brought to America as slaves. The powerhouse namesake poem, Black Face, is the crown jewel in this collection. It fills you with passion and emotion to the very last line. In addition, a powerful dedication to Dr. Martin Luther King, a tribute to the Million Man March and many other poems that lift the spirit. This is positively moving poetry that resonates loudly and truthfully so there is no repenting or apology for this Black Face.
Norma Barker seizes our hearts as with pride and anguish she tells us, 'THIS is how it is!" An African American woman boldly steps into the light in these poems to reveal her innermost world. She longs for and demands a nation where 'race' is a forgotten word. It was a miracle that these poems came to light, they deserve our attention! -Angela Zeman, Author of The Borscht Pearl, Tales of the Witch, andthe Roxanne series in 'Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine"What a treasure! What a rich legacy!! Truly as it it were written yesterday, today! 'Question Mark America'- so real, still so true. 'Prisoner' accurately echoes the thoughts the of women I minister to." - Hazelle Goodman, Actress