As a black-British writer, I am speaking from the viewpoint of someone misunderstood. People see me on the street, on buses, and on trains, and have a preconceived idea of the type of person I am based on how I look. And many people are unaware of how these preconceived ideas affect us on a daily bases. At work, at hospitals, or through the lens of a police officer. Yomi Sode is a Nigerian-born poet who grew up in London. In his poetry collection Manorism, he uses his gift to shed light on the misunderstood existence of the voiceless black men in society.
Manorism is divided into four parts, each exploring different themes related to identity, family, and belonging. “Genesis” delves into Yomi’s personal history and the experiences that have shaped him. “Loss” is an exploration of grief and mourning. “Legacy” reflects on his family’s history and his place within it. And “Manorism” is where Yomi turns his attention to the wider world, writing about social and political issues.
Some of the themes in Manorism speak to how black people are treated in the media. In one chapter, Yomi hones in on an instance where entertainer Alex Mann went viral at Glastonbury festival for rapping the lyrics of a song by AJ Tracey. Alex Mann went on to be praised on daytime TV for his performance, while the man who wrote the song Alax Mann rapped, was simultaneously being grilled by TV presenters for his violent history that he was trying to escape.
“Alex Mann is celebrated. He reaps the rewards of words that were never his, while the mouth in which the lyrics were born is sealed, unpraised, the artist constantly reminded of the circumstances he grew up in, and which he has since outgrown.”
While the fault isn’t with Alex Mann himself, this segment highlights an unspoken issue that we face in the UK with how the black population is presented. Instead of celebrating our art, the media fixates on our trauma. It sometimes feels as though there is a ceiling for our success. Or that to succeed, we must be pigeonholed to fit the world’s vision of us. Yomi Sode sheds light on these complicated issues in creative ways throughout this collection.
The poem A Sestina for the Curious Oyinbo is about an experience that Yomi had at a writing retreat where a white woman asked if he wishes he was white. The poem walks us through Yomi’s thought process in trying to process the question.
Another poem called On Fatherhood: Proximity to Death focuses on the problems within black communities and the treatment of black men towards each other. In particular, Yomi communicates the anxiety and fear that black men sometimes face as they walk by another unfamiliar black male. Instinctively, we’re always sizing each other up, trying to determine the threat level of the other black man. It’s only when we get the head nod of acknowledgment that we mutually lower our guard and acknowledge each other as brothers. But why is there always that initial hostile energy? I am truly grateful to Yomi for communicating this problem.
There is also a heartbreaking series of poems dedicated to the death of Yomi’s Big Mummy, and the feelings preceding and following her death. Using the depth of his writing to show the strong supernatural strength of his grandmother while suffering through her terminal illness.
Yomi Sode is a Nigerian-British author, so readers should expect some Yoruban words spread throughout the book. As someone not from that culture, I never felt like I struggled to understand what was being communicated. In some instances, it drew me into the poems more.
Manorism is more than just a collection of artistic poetry. It’s a representation of the black male experience. It reflects subjects that have been somewhat difficult to talk about for a majority of black people. Whether you’re African or Caribbean, these themes will be familiar to you. And for anyone else choosing to read the book, it gives a strong enough sense of the black male experience for conversations to be had.
It’s also important to note that the racial topics in this book represent only a portion of the book’s overall themes. There are themes of fatherhood, belonging, anxiety, fear, and many relatable topics for everyone.
Manorism is a powerful and moving book that materializes unspeakable thoughts and emotions. It’s proof that black men are capable of vulnerability and introspective expression in a form other than music. Yomi Sode communicates complicated topics in a way that no one has before.
Manorism by Yomi Sode / Buy on Amazon UK / Buy on Amazon US / Buy on Bookshop
