born 2 Black hippies

born 2 Black hippies 

By Daryl Ramon Thomas, Jr.  

Orange Box Media, 2024 

Paper: $7.50 

Genre: Poetry  

Reviewed by Tania De’Shawn Russell  

Daryl Ramon Thomas’ debut poetry collection, born 2 Black hippies, serves as a powerful exploration of Black boyhood, masculinity, and the quest for self-actualization. Rooted in the realities of familial love, societal pressures, and personal growth, Thomas examines whether Black boys possess the necessary tools to craft their own triumphant narratives or if they are weighed down by a rigid sense of manhood that hampers emotional development. Divided into three segments—Birth, Grow, and Change—his collection of 44 poems vividly portrays themes of resilience, vulnerability, and the ongoing process of self-redefinition. 

According to Thomas, Black hippies emerge from a mother’s love, even when that love is stripped of idealism: 

“Black hippies 

nicotine black lips– 

stick  

Black kisses on Black hippy  

babies,  

enriching them to the love 

of the fix.”  

This imagery evokes a paradox—motherhood lacks a scripted aesthetic, yet it can still nurture children with love, imparting lessons of perseverance rather than fearlessness. The reader is left questioning, “Is it dangerous to allow our children to be tender?” Tenderness is often viewed as a liability for Black boys, who are frequently faced with the choice between vulnerability and the protective armor of strength. Symbols like steel-toed boots embody this conflict, emphasizing the struggle between safety and defiance. The price of discarding that armor is vulnerability, and Thomas thoughtfully examines how this choice can either cultivate resilience or leave individuals deeply scarred. 

Thomas delves into identity, relationships, and the challenges of emotional survival as Black boys transition into manhood. The comfort of maternal love gives way to a world that often denies tenderness to Black men. “He doesn’t get my poems. They don’t survive the translation,” Thomas writes, highlighting the loneliness and alienation accompanying this transition. The contradictions of Black masculinity surface—receiving affirmations of limitless potential while simultaneously experiencing silence. Through lyrical storytelling, Thomas navigates these tensions, unveiling the paradox of growing up with immense potential while facing systemic barriers that hinder emotional well-being. 

In the concluding section, Thomas embraces deconstruction—burning down the haunted remnants of the past. This act is not for the sake of destruction alone but aims to create space for healing and love. “When I grow past you, I give you to the sun. Not only to say goodbye but also to see how far I’ve come.” Here, we recognize that one must accept the reality of not always being loved in every environment. Embracing love, rejection, shortcomings, and reconciliation allows for continued growth. Through the presence of those who recognize and see us, we can redefine ourselves and create our own affirmations: 

“Remember love;  

u are loved and can love,  

And, even in the darkness,  

the stars love u because u are their light.”  

This sentiment encapsulates his ultimate realization: love, in all its forms, is the sustaining and empowering force. 

The collection concludes with a message that is both urgent and hopeful. Through self-exploration and the confrontation of fear, Thomas envisions a world where Black boys can be whole—where they are both survivors of their circumstances and architects of their own narratives. 

Thomas’ poetic voice is both compassionate and unwavering. A graduate of Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery, Alabama, he has refined his skills as a writer, editor, and award-winning poet. His accolades, including honors from the Alabama High School Literary Arts Awards, Poetry Out Loud, and the Equal Justice Initiative Montgomery Public Schools Legacy Scholarship, highlight his commitment to authentic and revolutionary storytelling. 

As Thomas begins his next chapter at Howard University, pursuing studies in Journalism and Film, born 2 Black hippies stands as a testament to his ongoing journey—one that is still unfolding but already deeply impactful. His work transcends storytelling; it invites readers to reflect, challenge, and embrace the complexities of Black boyhood and beyond. 

Tania De’Shawn Russell is a poet and author of  be gentle with Black girls.