By Arren Joseph-White
On February 12, 2025, Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate of the United States, 2019-2022, gave a reading at PSC’s Ashmore Auditorium. She told stories, provided wisdom, and gave the audience a captivating night for creatives and everyday people alike.
During the reading, she told stories of her life and heritage, her family, and her memories. She was able to combine these stories of wisdom with her poetry, making a powerful impact on the room. Her style of writing is one that reminds readers to be human, and to make the most of the world around us. She discussed the importance of family, unity, and togetherness in both poetic form and personal expression.
Harjo’s natural voice and skills of storytelling make for a full body experience. She is able to immerse you in the world she’s built with visuals and descriptions of a scenario she’s creating within her poetry. She is happy to tell the story of her life and her people; it makes the observer more invested this way. Her humanity is on display when she is on the stage. Joy Harjo is a powerhouse with the ability to move the soul and put particular feelings into words that describe them perfectly.
As an audience member, you were able to feel emotions running throughout the room. She spoke naturally with her stories and writing, and despite the fact the auditorium was packed, it felt as if her words were able to speak directly to you. Her poetry expressed a new way of thinking; one that requests you to feel the air around you, to listen to the natural sounds of the world, and to explore and take pride in your heritage.
Native American culture runs all throughout the States, sweeping throughout cities and regions. They express their cultivations through art, song, dance, and in some cases, poetry. One of these poets is Joy Harjo, a woman whose accomplishments have no end for her heritage. Her work has been a foundation for Native American activism and an inspiration to those who want to express their heritage proudly. Our college was given the opportunity to see her unlimited artistic potential.
Born in Oklahoma, Joy Harjo is a part of the Muscogee Nation. She is the 23rd Poet Laureate, and the first Native American to hold this honor. She served 3 terms under this title. But that is not where her accolades stop. Harjo currently has 10 poetry books, 3 children’s books, 2 memoirs, and even various albums and singles. She is an artist, a visionary, and an inspiration.
She has been awarded various titles and honors throughout her career. Recently, she was awarded the Frost Medal by the Poetry Society of America. Not only that, but she also has a Guggenheim Fellowship Award. She earned many other allotments throughout her years, including a Harper Lee Award, a Ruth Lilly Prize in Poetry, and is even an inductee at both the Native American and National Women’s Halls of Fame. She has been a powerhouse and a shining beacon on Native American heritage.
Joy Harjo brought her wisdom and creative mind to Pensacola State, making for an unforgettable night in the Ashmore. Her poetry is something impactful, making for a beautiful environment and a pleasant experience overall. Her achievements are all well-deserved, showcasing her hard work and talent beyond her years. Harjo’s work for poetry and the Native American community will certainly stretch beyond her lifetime, inspiring for generations to come. For more information on her work and life, visit her website www.joyharjo.com.