A Historical Footnote to Consider Only When All Else Fails

A Historical Footnote to Consider Only When All Else Fails 

CC: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177824

Giovanni presents historical events to highlight her perception of history. She says, “Why/LBJ has made it quite clear to me/ He doesn’t give a Good goddamn what I think”. Giovanni is suggesting that President Johnson did not listen to the voices of the Black community. She also clearly highlights that Johnson didn’t even consider or care about her opinions. This presents Giovanni as a little hypocritical because Johnson was the President that passed the Black Voters rights Act. Giovanni really disliked Johnson because since the assassination of her white prince, Kennedy, any person that replaced Kennedy, she would dislike. Giovanni then says, “Rhythm and Blues is not/ The downfall of a great civilization/ And I expect you to Realize/ That the Temptations have no connection with the CIA”. Giovanni conveys the sense of pride for the culture having rhythm and blues, but reminds the reader that the music and the Black culture have no connection with the CIA. The CIA stands for the Central Intelligence Agency and is basically the government that has access to discreet information. Giovanni presents a simile by saying, “We must move on to the true issues of/ Our time/ like the mini-skirt”. She discusses that we as a people must leave and move on to what really matters just as much as we care about the new fashion style of the year. During the 1960s, the true issues of their time were becoming free, equal and the right to vote. She also suggests that we must move on to another era with a different style and new approach to create a solution to our issues. She then says, "It is for Us to lead our people out of the Wein-Bars into the streets into the streets (for saftey reasons only) Lord knows we don't /Want to lose the support of our Jewish friends". She is now focusing on the Jewish community. The Jewish community were a part of the Holocaust and the WeinBars represent the German Nazi's jail, which is the incararation of the Jews. Giovanni also explains that we as a people must not lose the support from the Jews because they are struggle just as must as we are and own businesses. Giovanni ends with “So let us work for our day of Presence/ When Stokely is in/ The Black House/ And all will be right with Our World.” Giovanni suggests that one should let their day of existence be the day of freedom. Stokely was a civil rights activist in the 1960s. The Black House is the allusion of the White House. Giovanni was discussing that at this rate of fighting for freedom, the blacks will be in the Black House. The importance of A Historical Footnote to Consider Only When All Else Fails is to note or in this case make a footnote about history of the 1960s to reflect on when all else isn’t successful. Giovanni makes a footnote about events that highlight the struggle of the 1960s and her perception about the movement and Black culture.