Citizen : An American Lyric

“Citizen: An American Lyric” is a groundbreaking book-length poem and series of lyric essays by American poet Claudia Rankine. The work stretches the conventions of traditional lyric poetry by interweaving several forms of text and media into a collective portrait of racial relations in the United States. The book addresses everyday racism, microaggressions, and the impact of discrimination on the lives of black Americans. Through a blend of lived experiences, postcolonial theory, excerpts from the news and pop culture, and artwork, Rankine creates a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that forces readers to confront the realities of race and the imagination in contemporary America. “Citizen” has received critical acclaim for its powerful and evocative exploration of race and identity.