Doris Davenport (poet) facts for kids

Doris Davenport (born January 29, 1949) is an American writer, teacher, and poet. She is known for her essays and poetry. One of her essays, "The Pathology of Racism: A Conversation with Third World Wimmin," was in a famous book called This Bridge Called My Back. She also spends a lot of time teaching and performing her poems.

Doris Davenport identifies as African American, Appalachian, Feminist, and LGBTQ. These parts of her identity greatly influence her writing. Today, she leads many workshops and poetry performances.

Early Life and Education

Doris Davenport was born in Gainesville, Georgia. She grew up in Cornelia, Georgia. She often talks about her childhood in the Appalachian foothills. Many of her poems about this area have been published in Appalachian Heritage.

She studied English at Paine College, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Later, she received a Master of Arts (MA) in English from the University at Buffalo. She then earned her highest degree, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Literature, from the University of Southern California.

Exploring Themes in Her Writing

Understanding Feminism in Her Work

In an essay written many years ago, "The Pathology of Racism: A Conversation with Third World Wimmin," Doris Davenport described racism as a harmful "disease." She believed it negatively affected white feminists. She hoped for a sense of well-being among all feminists around the world. She also pointed out that there were many other important issues to focus on. In her more recent essays, she writes about the poetry of African American women, like Brenda Marie Osbey.

Personal Identity and Poetry

Doris Davenport's writing is deeply shaped by her unique experiences and identity. For example, her personal journey has inspired poetry that focuses on the importance of women. Her first published book of poems, it's like this, explores her spiritual and personal worldview.

Celebrating Culture and Heritage

Doris Davenport often speaks about her heritage. In many of her works, she shares the happiness and richness of being African American. Her writing explores her communities and how modern ideas about feminism affect them. She also shares her own successes throughout her life. Growing up in the Southern United States, she often includes her childhood experiences in her work. Many of her writings describe her life in the Appalachian Foothills, showing her strong connection to that area.

Doris Davenport's Career

Today, Doris Davenport calls herself an Independent Poet-Scholar, Teacher, and Writer. She has a lot of experience teaching. She used to be an associate professor of English at Albany State University. Later, she taught at Stillman College. So far, she has published twelve books of poetry. She continues to give performances of her work. She currently lives in Northeast Georgia, on land that was traditionally home to the Cherokee people.

Selected Works

Poetry Collections

• request. Imaginary Friend Press, 2014.
• ascent: poems. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011.
• Madness Like Morning Glories: Poems. LSU Press, 2005.
• Soque Street Poems. Sautee-nacoochee Community Association, 1995.
• It's Like This. self-published, 1981.

Essays and Journal Articles

• "... Can't Go No Further/Cause You Got Me/Chained and Bound." Appalachian Heritage 36, no. 3 (2008): 56.
• "A Candle for Queen Ida." Black Music Research Journal 23, no. 1/2 (2003): 91-102.
• "The Pathology of Racism: A Conversation with Third World Wimmin." This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color (1981): 85–90.