IndexIntroductionHistorical ContextEarly Voices: Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn BrooksContemporary Expressions: Claudia Rankine and Danez SmithThe Role of AccessibilityConclusionIntroductionProtest poetry has long been a powerful means of express social and political dissent. Throughout history, poets have used their verse to highlight injustices and advocate for change. In recent times, police brutality and gun control have emerged as two critical issues that have pushed poets to pick up the pen. This essay explores the evolution of protest poetry about police brutality and gun control, examining how poets have used their words to raise awareness, challenge existing power structures, and inspire action. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Historical Context To understand the evolution of protest poetry about police brutality and gun control, it is critical to examine the historical context that shaped these issues. Police brutality, particularly against marginalized communities, is not a new phenomenon but has garnered increased attention in recent years due to the widespread use of social media and citizen journalism. Likewise, the debate over gun control is a long-standing issue in the United States, with recurring incidents of mass shootings fueling the urgency for change. Early Voices: Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks The voices of Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks emerged as the early pioneers of protest poetry, laying the foundation for future generations. Langston Hughes, a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, used his poetry to give voice to the struggles of African Americans. In his poem "A Dream Deferred," Hughes asks thought-provoking questions about the consequences of a delay in justice: "What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun?" Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, addressed issues of race and inequality in her work. His poem “The Ballad of Rudolph Reed” explores the tragic consequences of racial discrimination, highlighting the violence faced by African Americans: “And he was lynched / By the meanest men / you ever saw.” These early voices set a precedent for the use of poetry as a means to shed light on social injustices. Contemporary Expressions: Claudia Rankine and Danez Smith In contemporary times, poets such as Claudia Rankine and Danez Smith have continued the tradition of protest poetry, focusing on police brutality and gun control. “Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine is a groundbreaking work that blends poetry, nonfiction, and visual art to address the everyday racism experienced by African Americans. Through powerful and evocative language, Rankine exposes the microaggressions and systemic racism that perpetuate police violence. Danez Smith, a queer Black poet, addresses the intersection of police brutality and gun violence in his collection “Don’t Call Us Dead.” Smith's poetry reflects the pain and anguish of individuals who have lost their lives to both police brutality and gun violence. In the poem “Summer, Somewhere,” Smith imagines an alternate reality where black boys killed by police brutality find comfort and freedom: “no one thinks of heaven as a place where they send you / to die.” relevance of protest poetry in the fight against police brutality and gun violence. The role of accessibility While the poetry of.