Counting Descent - Clint Smith

n nWinner, 2017 Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary Award n n Finalist, 2017 NAACP Image Awards n n 2017 'One Book One New Orleans' Book Selection n n Clint Smith's debut poetry collection, Counting Descent, is a coming of age story that seeks to complicate our conception of lineage and tradition. Smith explores the cognitive dissonance that results from belonging to a community that unapologetically celebrates black humanity while living in a world that often renders blackness a caricature of fear. His poems move fluidly across personal and political histories, all the while reflecting on the social construction of our lived experiences. Smith brings the reader on a powerful journey forcing us to reflect on all that we learn growing up, and all that we seek to unlearn moving forward.n