for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf

Extraordinary … Ntozake Shange writes with such exquisite care and beauty * New York Times *for colored girls shattered the Negro propriety I knew and lived by. The force of Shange’s writing seemed to say, “Fuck the old rule of not airing your female business in front of colored men, white people, let alone the rest of the world.” You own the copyright on your life – Hilton AlsEncompassing, it seems, every feeling and experience a woman has ever had * New Yorker *Inspiring. Emotionally charged. Ground-breaking. This text has always had a special place in my heart – Bernardine EvaristoA revelation. I am so thankful to Ntozake Shange for seeing us, reflecting us … for weaving our words into drama, into poetry, and showing us how beautiful we can be – Jesmyn WardCelebrates the capacity to master pain and betrayals with wit, sister-sharing, reckless daring, and flight and forgetfulness if necessary – Toni Cade BambaraA cannon-creating work that illuminates the lived experience of Black women. First conceived in 1974, it is rightfully revered for its unquantifiable influence * Guardian *

Ntozake Shange (1948-2018) was a poet, novelist, playwright, and performer. She wrote the Broadway-produced and Obie Award-winning FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE / WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, as well as numerous works of fiction, including SASSAFRAS, CYPRESS & INDIGO; BETSEY BROWN; and LILIANE.