Sometimes, in a generation there needs to be a writer who speaks directly to the present time. Speaking to it does not necessarily mean it will cure the societal ills, but to expose in poetic verse what is happening to people, specifically people of color is where Dreason Ruckett’s book of poems, Birthed in Vanity comes in bringing multiple talents and observations to readers everywhere.
On WHOV 88.1 The Essence of Hampton University, Ruckett is asked where his inspirations come from. He answers: Life.
Open your eyes and see . . .
that the world we live in is full of vanity. There is no longer a struggle for self-identity. We know who we are. We just refuse to accept the fact that we too have flaws. People have become frayed by life's chaos, burned out with its rollercoaster trials and shamed by the appearance of reality(from Birthed in Vanity)
Birthed in Vanity is about the world with blinders on and they are okay with selfishness, okay with not putting Jesus first and okay with the fact that there are still those who are judged based on their income and skin color.
So if all of this is still going on? What can we do?
The first thing is to acknowledge the problem and the pain, which Ruckett does in his book. Then there has to be some kind of solution we can all come up with. In celebration of Black History Month, it is a time to recall and rejoice that there have been some changes, yet and still more positive changes are needed.
And as Michael Jackson said,” Start with the man in the mirror”
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