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American Professor Hortense Simmons demonstrated the power and beauty of poetry by African-American writers for 200 students and
faculty members at Selangor International Islamic University (Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor) on November 13, 2008.
Simmons gave engaging readings of poems by Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and Maya Angelou. Noting that poetry needs to be
heard in order to be fully enjoyed and appreciated, Simmons explained how poetry is often referred to as "language distilled."
She also discussed the universal themes of human experience that poems often address, such as loss, love and the complexity of
family relationships. These themes, she explained, connect people across cultures, no matter the origin of the author.
Students enthusiastically joined Simmons to read some of their favorite passages, including Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal
Woman," and Langston Hughes', "I, Too, Sing America."
Simmons also explained important influences on the three African-American poets she featured, and how their concern for the
life experience of African-Americans in cities in New York and Chicago influenced their work. Showcasing the accomplishments of
African-American poets, her talk highlighted the importance of diversity in American arts.
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