No. 84: Ntozake Shange

Episode Transcript

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Ever wondered what it means to “walk with a poem in your pocket”? What if that poem could make history, transform lives, and challenge the very fabric of society?

Hi, I’m Shae, a PhD candidate at Harvard, and you’re listening to '100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day Series.' Today, we’re diving into the vibrant and unapologetic world of Ntozake Shange—an artist who didn’t just write about the Black female experience, she painted it in bold, unflinching colors.

Ntozake Shange was born Paulette Williams on October 18, 1948, in Trenton, New Jersey. From a young age, she was exposed to the arts and intellectual discourse, growing up in a household that frequently hosted figures like Dizzy Gillespie and W.E.B. Du Bois. After earning degrees in American Studies from Barnard College and the University of Southern California, she began a journey that would redefine American theater and literature.

In 1975, Shange exploded onto the scene with her choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. This groundbreaking work was a fusion of poetry, dance, music, and drama that portrayed the struggles and joys of Black women in America. She walked in the path of Lorraine Hansbury, joining a small selection of black women who produced on Broadway. The play received critical acclaim and some controversy for raw depiction of black women’s experiences. Nonetheless, it secured her place as a literary and cultural icon.

But Shange didn’t stop there. Her works spanned novels, essays, children’s books, and even more choreopoems, all infused with her unique blend of linguistic innovation and cultural insight. She fearlessly addressed issues like racism and sexism, while also celebrating Black sisterhood and love.

I want to read you this phenomenal quote from her interview with Claudia Tate in Black Women Writers at Work :

“I really resent having to meet somebody else's standards or needs, or having to justify their reasons for living. When I started writing, I wrote for myself, to help myself better understand what was going on around me. I thought it was really great if other people could understand what I was saying, but it didn’t really matter that they did. On the other hand, I don't like being misunderstood, but if they genuinely don't understand what I’m saying, that's perfectly all right, too.”

Here’s one more thing you should know— The name “Ntozake Shange” is of Xhosa origin, meaning “she who comes with her own things” and “she who walks like a lion.” And truly, Shange did walk like a lioness—roaring against the injustices of the world and leaving a deep mark on American culture.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate us 5 stars so more people can hear these incredible stories. And don’t forget to follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for even more inspiring content. Together, let’s continue to honor the legacies of these phenomenal Black women.