“A little-known detail about a beloved Black cinema classic: the poetry spoken by Janet Jackson’s character in Poetic Justice was written by the legendary Maya Angelou.
Released in 1993 and directed by John Singleton, the film starred Janet Jackson as Justice, a young woman navigating grief, love, and healing, alongside Tupac Shakur as Lucky.
The poems gave Justice a way to express emotions she struggled to put into everyday words. They included Angelou’s celebrated works, such as “Phenomenal Woman” and “Alone.”
Angelou also appeared in the film as Aunt June, bringing her own presence and wisdom to the story.
It was a powerful meeting of Black artistry: Maya Angelou’s timeless words woven into a film that continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
Sometimes, the words that help a fictional character find her voice come from a poet who helped generations find theirs.
Credit: @blackhistoryunlocked”
