May 9, 2009
Los Angeles Times
'Sonata Mulattica: Poems' by Rita Dove
A book-length poetry sequence looks at the little-known historical episode of a young mulatto violinist's encounters with Beethoven.
By Paula L. Woods
There was once a time when celebration of black achievement in the humanities, arts and sciences was limited to Black History Month and recitations at black churches. But given the widely respected scholarship of the late John Hope Franklin, the accomplishments of Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and the political ascendancy of President Obama, among many others, black achievement has irrevocably moved beyond cameos in someone else's drama to leading roles ....
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