A look at human dignity from the perspective of Afro-descendant poetic resistance

Abstract

This article analyzes the relationship between human dignity and Afro-descendant poetry, understood as an act of resistance and vindication. Throughout history, poetry has been a fundamental vehicle for denouncing oppression, exalting identity, and reconstructing the memory of Afro-descendant peoples. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines literary, philosophical, and sociological studies, this article examines the ways in which poets of African descent have transformed the word into a space for struggle and dignity. Works by authors from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa are analyzed to highlight the role of poetry in affirming dignity and building social justice. It concludes that, although the dignity of Afro-descendant communities has historically been threatened by racism, slavery, and structural exclusion, poetry has facilitated its vindication and projection as an inalienable right. Every poem, from ancient oral tradition to modern poetry, is an act of resistance that confronts exclusion and calls for the recognition of Afro-descendant humanity.