Nikki Giovanni's Influential Life

Nikki’s Influential Life “Anybody is influenced by where and how he lives.”-Imogen Cunningham. People from all around the world have been influenced by their surroundings and experiences. The influence that people gather help push them to do something or prevent people from making mistakes. Nikki Giovanni’s life influenced her poetry by including her powerful grandmother, the occurrence of activism, and the birth of her son. Known as the most popular poet during the 1960s and 1970s Nikki Giovanni developed a strong voice for African Americans. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1943. Giovanni’s actual name is Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Nikki was just a nickname by her sister Gary. Giovanni and her family lived around a mostly
In her first two albums of poetry called Black Judgement and Black Feeling, and Black Talk she reflects the rage and energy of the community filled of writers and political activist with whom she became involved with. Maintaining a revolutionary stance Nikki supported open violence and showed her impatience for change. (Nikki Giovanni Exploring). Another thing she reflects is her awareness of the values of Black culture followed by her commitment to the revolution. (Nikki Giovanni Discovering). Similar to Nikki Giovanni’s poetry with her political activism, an activism significant for both the individuality of its premises and the progression of its application. Although during her most violent period of time during the 60s her militancy was and still remains to be based on the love for blacks individually and still has hatred towards the whites as a race. (Nikki Giovanni Discovering
Her influences caused her to change at some points in her life. She sent out a strong voice to many African Americans, and influenced them in many ways. Most of her work was based on the black movement and community. Earlier in her life she lived in a mostly black community which lead up to her influences. In my opinion, I think Nikki Giovanni’s work is based on her experiences, feelings, and even her life changes. Nikki’s poetry was mostly influenced by her life, occurrences, and the people in her life.

Works Cited
Batman, Alex. "Nikki Giovanni." DISCovering Authors. Detroit: Gale, 2003. N. pag. Student Resources in Context. Web. 10 May 2017.
Giovanni, Nikki. "BLK History Month." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 May 2017.
Giovanni, Nikki. "Nikki-Rosa." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 May 2017.
“Giovanni, Nikki.” UXL Biographies, UXL, Detroit, 2011. Student Resources in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2210003839/SUIC?u=west80704&xid=443ba4a4. Accessed