The Year of the Poet X November 2023

Children: Difference Makers: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Each month of 2023 a gifted, accomplished young person is featured in our monthly edition of The Year of the Poet. Our family of Poets 'The Poetry Posse 'dedicate a poem to that young person featured This month November, 2023 that young person is Jean-Michel Basquiat Born: 12/22/1960 Death: 08/22/1988 American artist born, raised in the Bronx, N.Y.C. Spoke 4 languages fluently, English, Spanish, French and Haitian Patwah.

Basquiat was a native of N.Y.C. His mother was from Puerto Rico, father Haiti. Young Jean evolved from Street art graffiti doing it on the streets of New York City. On buildings, other structures, subway trains, etc. His art evolved started to develop a unique style of using abstract images to tell a story, project a message dealing with institutional racism, police brutality particularly against young black Americans and Latino's. Corruption, oppressive government policies etc. It also included historical events that impacted on quality of life. He style was categorized as 'Neo-Expressionism' a liberal approach that uses techniques of many styles of art. This included a generous use of colors, body parts, various structures, tools, shapes, forms that was consistent in conveying a message through his art. This was a departure of mainstream styles that consistently gave off a impression that it was meant to attract the elite thus to be embraced by the privileged. His departure from that was refreshing and soon started the public took notice including the well-known such as one Andy Warhol.

Jean often stayed on the lower East side of Manhattan bordering the East Village. That area was known to include artists of every genre. Poets, Musicians. Painters, you name it. It also was infested with heroine. Even the local park Tompkins Sq. Park was known as 'Needle Park 'Many artists were addicted. Many artists died.

Unfortunately, one such artist was Jean- Michel Basquiat. Please research more information about this gifted, special artist. Never underestimate what the youth can accomplish. Enjoy this enlightening edition of 'The year of the Poet'

Love and peace to y'all.
Yours truly

Shareef Abdur-Rasheed
Author, Poet, Activist