Civilian

In a look at what makes a black man in today's society, Osayande brings us through central questions of belonging, love, and happiness in his native home of Detroit. In his largest collection of poetic pieces yet, the renowned Detroit performance poet, writer, and educator answers how one responds to a world seemingly stacked against. Whether with love, with the law, finances and even with ones own mental health, these are poems that illustrate the battles against the cold-heartedness of contemporary American and that ever looming demon in the back of his own mind.

About the Author:

Deonte Osayande is a writer from Detroit, MI. His books include Class (Urban Farmhouse Press, 2017) and Circus (Brick Mantle Books, 2018).His nonfiction and poetry have been nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology, and the Pushcart Prize. He has represented Detroit at four National Poetry Slam competitions. He's currently a professor of English at Wayne County Community College. He also managed the Rustbelt Midwest Regional Poetry Slam and Festival for 2014 and 2018.