As an African-American, as a woman I think that I've been sensitized to the way in which history privileges the white male and the way in which certain aspects of history, the things that we are taught in school, the things that are handed down never, never entered the picture though they might have been very important.
Rita DoveI was pirouette and flourish, I was filigree and flame. How could I count my blessings when I didn't know their names?
Rita DoveMy favorite poets may not be your bread and butter. I have more favorite poems than favorite poets.
Rita DoveUnder adversity, under oppression, the words begin to fail, the easy words begin to fail. In order to convey things accurately, the human being is almost forced to find the most precise words possible, which is a precondition for literature.
Rita Dove