Question

What is the central theme of poem for the counting descent

Answer 1

The first book that new MBU students will read as part of their college experience isn’t part of a course assignment. Counting Descent by Clint Smith is meant to bring them together in a shared experience before they even arrive on campus.

“It is one more thing that will be used to connect students to each other and to the university,” said Ernest Jeffries, vice president of student engagement.

Students picked up MBU’s first common reading book at New Student Days over the summer, and they’ll dive into a discussion of the poems with the author during orientation this weekend.

Published in 2016, Counting Descent is Smith’s first full-length collection of poetry that explores themes of race, humanity, and coming of age. It won the 2017 Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award.

“He is one of the millennial voices that really speaks to issues of social justice and inclusion,” said Jeffries. “I want our students to be exposed to young intellectuals with unique stories that they can relate to. Clint Smith is definitely that person. His poems are simple, but they have a very profound message.”

The Office of Student Engagement plans to make the common reading experience an ongoing part of New Student Orientation, and they hope to partner with Academic Affairs in the future to design a high-impact learning experience based around the annual university theme.

Answer 2

Clint Smith's poetry collection "Counting Descent" delves into issues of social justice, history, race, and identity. The sufferings and tribulations of Black people in America are the collection's main focus. Smith explores both historical and personal histories, touching on issues including racial prejudice, police brutality, and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. Smith wants to question social norms, highlight structural injustices, and celebrate the resiliency and fortitude of the Black community through his incisive and thought-provoking poems. Readers are encouraged to consider the intricacies of identification and the need for societal change as they read this anthology.