Olio

Tyehimba Jess

April 5, 2016

The book Olio by Tyehimba Jess is an innovative and powerful examination of the lives of African-Americans during and after their enslavement. Through the blending of genres including poetry, visual art, and historical commentary, Jess gives readers a unique perspective on how African-Americans were treated and continues to overcome trauma from the past. It is a powerful testament to the struggle and perseverance of African-Americans.The title of the book comes from the term for an African-American mixed-race or multiethnic performance art form called the olio. This form includes spirituals, blues, and jazz, which were used as a form of survival and communal expression for African-Americans after slavery. The poems in Olio explore the issues of race and identity in the United States during and after the enslavement of African-Americans.The poems in this book are deeply moving and thought-provoking. With vivid imagery and powerful storytelling, Jess shares stories of love, loss, discrimination, and triumph. In addition to the poetry, readers will find interspersed images such as photographs and masthead designs. These images provide visual context and help readers to understand the full scope of African-Americans’ struggles.Overall, Olio is a powerful, spellbinding work that honours and celebrates African-American heritage and culture. It is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the African-American experience, and the long-lasting effects of slavery.