“Like running trying to live a good life has to hurt a little bit, or we’re not running hard enough, not really trying. “
- Name: June Jordan
- Born: July 9, 1936
- Died: June 14, 2002
- From: Harlem, New York
- Pronouns: She/her
- Contribution/Impact: An acclaimed writer that was published essays, plays, poems and more with topics ranging from family, bisexuality, civil rights, and women’s rights.
- Occupation: Writer
- Known For: Some of Us Did Not Die, Directed By Desire, His Own Where, Civil Wars
- Awards: Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Poetry for “Directed by Desire: The Collected Poems of June Jordan” (2005)
- Interesting Facts: Some of Jordan’s works were inspired by the child of her friend and fellow successful author Alice Walker.
June Jordan was born to two Jamaican immigrants in Harlem. Growing up was difficult for Jordan as she found herself to be the target of bullies, one of the first being her own father who Jordan has described as, “…my hero and my tyrant.” Despite the troubled relationship, and that Jordan’s parents didn’t fully understand the interest in writing she developed, her parents tried to help her get the best education possible. Jordan’s career took off after her divorce with Michael Meyer in 1965 where she went on to publish several books for young adults and kids.
Handout
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