Skip to main content
‘The face-off between Trump and Harris is going to cause a racial chasm in this country’
John Kendall Hawkins speaks to black US poet FREDERICK JOSEPH, author of We Alive, Beloved
fred Joseph

The title of your new book is We Alive, Beloved. What’s so important about We?

We have a very “I”-focused society and I just want us to get back to understanding that if we don’t do this thing called life-as-a-village, we’re going to fail. We were not meant to be alone. That is not the experience of humans or of any living creature. Everything has to be connected in order to live to its fullest potential.

One recurring image in your new volume that struck a chord with me was The Black Hole. Can you explain?

Liberation webinar, 30 November2024, 6pm (UK)
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
colourists 1
Exhibition review / 21 March 2025
21 March 2025
While the group known as the Colourists certainly reinvigorated Scottish painting, a new show is a welcome chance to reassess them, writes ANGUS REID
family
Film of the Week: / 20 March 2025
20 March 2025
ANGUS REID recommends an exquisite drama about the disturbing impact of the one child policy in contemporary China
BL
Short Story / 7 February 2025
7 February 2025
The phrase “cruel to be kind” comes from Hamlet, but Shakespeare’s Prince didn’t go in for kidnap, explosive punches, and cigarette deprivation. Tam is different.
fanon
BenchMarx / 28 January 2025
28 January 2025
ANGUS REID deconstructs a popular contemporary novel aimed at a ‘queer’ young adult readership
Similar stories
fox
Book Review / 2 October 2024
2 October 2024
HARRY GALLAGHER relishes a poet who bares her soul under a microscope’s lens
Women’s swimming / 26 August 2024
26 August 2024
fred
21st Century Poetry: / 22 July 2024
22 July 2024
JOHN KENDALL HAWKINS applauds a new volume by black US poet Frederick Joseph, that is precisely cadenced and breathing with lyricism
mayday
21st Century Poetry / 5 June 2024
5 June 2024
RUTH AYLETT recommends a new collection that is direct and open to all, both conversational and radical