Standing in the Need of Prayer

Borrowing the title of a traditional African American hymn, Standing in the Need of Prayer poetically describes the vulnerability of black men and the ongoing injustice they encounter in America. Noted poet, Nikki Giovanni speaks to participants of the Million Man March, Tupac’s mother, and expresses her own trepidation felt in response to late-night callers who may or may not be the bearers of tragic news. Her writings are bookended with poems by DXTR Spits (Jordan Holmes) as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Jericho Brown. Illustrator, Emily Thornton Calvo punctuates each poem with art that depicts the anger and frustration as well as the constant concern felt by those who love them. Standing in the Need of Prayer is critical to those who care about understanding the position of others who live under the weight of systemic racism–and a call for prayers to protect them.