It sounds like a hip hop song, but it's slavery at its peak. That's the hardest line I've ever heard.

She literally looks like a goddess

"It ain't just burnin' in Mississippi, Hell is hot wherever you be." After all these years this poem still hits hard.

*"Cause death don't come in vain. Not for us to remain enslaved or our spirits to remain in cages. It comes so we might be courageous to fulfill our obligation to our God of all creation...."* 💕🙏🏽

Damn that sister is deep , sunni is a good name for her because she has definitely shined light no us all

I didn't notice I was holding my breath until it was over, gave me chills

Still listening in 2019✊🏾👏🏾

Destroying all commercial rappers..

I have watched this over and over again and I get bathed in goosebumps every single time... deep words, nicely interwoven, yet dripping with memories of a painful past and a scarred present.

My friend in college performed this for the National Speech and Debate competition and she won the championship. Such an amazing poem.

I've been knowing Sunni since junior highschool she does have alot to say, but the best part is that she is so sweet. Always have been

Quarantine with Sunni Patterson ANYONE?? 🎧

Sunni Patterson is a national treasure!

I have the pleasure of knowing Sunni in real life and she's an amazing woman as well as poet. We have shared many stages together and I am still left in awe after all of this time. I'm just happy the rest of the world finally got a chance to hear what we in New Orleans have been hearing for years.

That was a very powerful poem, i like how her tone and emotional delivery match the tone of the vivid imagery she uses. Her words take the audience on a dark journey through tragic moments in black history from the the horrors of Jim Crow South to the tragedy of police brutality today, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Malcom X the death and imprisonment of black revolutionaries and the inhumanity of the slave trade....our freedom was paid for with the blood of our ancestors

we need you now more than ever Sunni Patterson

She was my 5th grade teach ✊🏾

I remember Sunni from my spoken word days in New Orleans around early 2000's. She was killin it back then and still is. We used to spit with a group of poets in a group called Pizazz which im sure is not around anymore. Respect to real spitters and to my dirty south family. One.

I love this video. I literally watch it everyday. She has mastered the art of story telling and has truly allowed her consciousness to ascend to a higher level of learning. She raises so many valid points.

This woman is light years ahead of so many poets. She's definitely in her own lane. What a breath of fresh air!!! Beauty and brains; what an awesome combination...

I had the pleasure of hearing recite this poem at a Juneteenth celebration (Verses in RVA). She was absurdly phenomenal. My friend and I knew every word if this poem and was still blown away when she recited it live.

I bought the whole series on dvd my last tour in Iraq. She was dope.

She was named correctly because it ALWAYS bright where she is...I Love You Sunni!!!

Damn, I'm crying like it was the first time I hear it. Damn... She always gets me, always...

I knew Sunni back in the day when she was in college at tuskegee university. She was powerful then and i see she has gotten even MORE powerful. Back then whenshe spoke, she had the WHOLE audience simply captivated with her words. Good to see she is still making her mark on the world

Man, this joint still gets to me....🤲🏿📿.

I absolutely love her accent. I would listen to her talk about anything.

This woman or should I say spirit; is absolutley beautiful. She is so passive but brave as a lion. This is my defenition of a poet.

This poem is so encouraging. I love how she is bringing the REAL part of life to the table that people dont talk about. The message she is basically saying is that life is HARD and sometimes terrible life changing things are going to happen. REAL Life & death isnt always pretty, but what matters is that we make it through and dont let it change our spirit & heart into bad just because bad situations. To anyone who goes thru hard times/life in general and still remains strong; WE MADE IT!

One of the most powerful poems☆☆

Meet her in college and saw her transform. Such an inspiration!!

wow!!! that was the definition of spoken word lol!!! her delivery was so unique. I loved it!!!!

this was 10 years ago wow. I recall listening to this in undergrad to help me get through school and it was old then lol

This poem. I have heard it copious times over the last week. The cadence, the message, she is PHENOMENAL.

I've love this poem. it's just like New Orleans. I watch this 7 times

this woman is truly amazing. the poem was off the chain!!! she killled it. Go New Orleans Go-so much talent comes from there!!!!

I've just discovered Sunni Patterson tonight and have already watched a dozen of her videos.. That woman is so REAL! You can feel that she's strong and wise .. Greetings from Morocco!

By far my all time favorite Def Poetry performance. I have been watching this for years now and it never fails to give me the shivers.

Sister your stature is powerful! Keep speaking & sharing!!!

best poet in the world. i still watch this every month

O... now come on! Stop with them negative comments. Sunni is excellent. She sings poetry and it is not a song... it's still poetry. I feel her presence through my computer screen... her pain her anger her love. I envy those of u who've met her.

Simply fucking Awesome!!! We need more really poets like that.

I'm from Jamaica and I watched a video of Sunni Patterson performing about six years ago and I was spell-bound. I love all her poems and some are truly EPIC.

2019 and Forever

I still come here. She speaks alot we all would say and should say. Sunni Patterson

everyword that emits from her lips is a present most people would define as gold. One word: Genius!

Awe-inspiring brilliance, artistry that speaks to the soul!! This is where my admiration for, fascination with and love for Sunni began. My life as a spoken word artist has never been the same....

Blackphotog, I was introduced to Sunni Patterson on Democracy Now! too. When I heard that poem, tears and chills went up and down my spine. That poem touched me dearly. She covered 400 years in that poem. She went from the auction block to the hotel where MLK, Jr. was shot. I have to admit, I like the recital of the poem on Democracy Now! better. I guess, because, that was my first time seeing her. Sunni's poem will be my National Anthem! Sunni Patterson, YOU ROCK sistah!!!!!

This will forever be my favorite poem by her...... 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Still watching this. Love her. Always see her at jazz fest in New Orleans. Even got a pic 😊

If Anyone Took This As Just A Poem & This Goddess As Just A Poet... Your Appraisal Is Worthless As Much As The Dollar Amount That You could Ever Come Up With.. WOW!! I Listen To This With Every Fiber Of My Being.. This A Goddess & She Is PRICELESS!! WOW!!

Y'all don't hear her Talkin...when they can kill you for a parking spot in front of your son and woman and get away with it, because they were "standing their ground"....it's hot wherever you be!! Let's rise as one fam in love for each other,but hate for our enemy, cause they hate us as one.

Salute Queen, awesome

Her words are so piercing! love it!!!!

That Was A Beautiful Poem.. From A Beautiful Woman! The Shit She Was Saying Was Just RAW! I Love Her Uniqueness And The Way She Delivered This Poem!

That poem was so beautiful it gave me chills. She is a very very talented poet no doubt.

Man did yall catch some of the things she was saying??? Beautiful woman..Just seen her last week..beautiful work, beautiful pieces, beautiful peace, beautiful spirit. Stay Blessed!

I can't even breathe right now...my students will love this one. I smell an assignment coming on.

i have sat and her feet and i can't begin to explain what an incredible experience it was. simply amazing. she is beautiful.

Wow! I hadcto revisit this performance. It's still as powerful as when I first heard it! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏾✊🏾

This poem definetly won't fit in everyones ear, but I heard you Sunni. I Love this piece

I just....marvel at her.

To this day this outfit still amazes me

I wish they had a LOVE button for this video!

GOTTDAMN!she had my attention from tha 1st line all tha way thru!love it

I have watched this video a dozen times and cannot stop. This poem is so real.

I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Patterson live in a club in New Orleans as well as sit next to her on a plane. She is truly a wonderful person and so cool to be around.

wow..her voice, her words..were so inspiring.Simply perfect!

I visit this piece often..great reminder👍🏽👐🏽

I have these words memorized. I recite them like a song. I love it.

Raw true living water poetry...her words speak volumes...love it and love her art her passion is a breath of fresh air!

I've always liked this poem, ever since I first saw it. Like her dress and earrings.

No matter how many times I hear this I can't help but have love and respect for day lady

I get chills every time I watch this.

Woos she's soo beautiful. Her poem speak volumes. Goosebumps all over. Such an amazing mind.

I LOVE this! Gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.

Sunni is a TRUE inspiration. Can't tell you how many times I've listened to and watched this one. Her look = perfect The words = perfect The accent = perfect The timing = perfect Absolutely can't get enough of Sunni P.!!

The most powerful piece ever. I am a fan for life

oh snap! Sunni Patterson... i'm a young poet, you are an inspiration.

OK, I think this just became the best poem that I've ever heard in my life. Its certainly in my top ten. Makes me think. Damn! I wish i could put this on a loud speaker for the community. My sistah is definitely channeling our ancestors in this piece..very powerful ! She's a great storyteller, a griot. Give thanks!!

I can't get over how beautiful this woman is. I adore her cadence in this poem. This is such a moving, stirring piece. I love it.

Yooooo! Goosebumps EVERYTIME! This woman is speaking TRUTH!

AMAZING AND INSIGHTFUL...MAKES YOU OPEN NOT ONLY YOUR EARS BUT UR MIND

The goddess painted her astonishing work of art across the aural canvas of reality like I may never have heard anybody majestically articulate before. Beautiful, sincere, relevant from the heart.

I met her at Superlove this last weekend and there really are no words to describe her amazingly powerful energy and spirit. the world needs more people her, but we are so ridiculously blessed to have just one.

Sunni Patterson, the words that came though her are from God, which is food for our soul and mine, I 1st saw my sister on "Democracy Now" Friday 31,2007 and this poem " we made it" brought me to tears and recharge my lazy tired ass to get back into the ring and continue to fight for our freedom. thank you.

I have been inspired. Each time I hear this poem I am inspired even the more.

Definition of real woman

one of the greatest that I've heard, ever!!!

this is my absolute favorite poet as well as poem.

it gives me the chills everytime i see this video. through sunni, i'm introduced to a brand new concept of spoken word. it's like a different language. i was waiting for someone to make me stop listening to saul williams every night!

Still cant get over these wisened words 😊

I got chills throughout my entire body listening to her. That was truly powerful!

This is my second favorite poem of all times (the first is Saul Williams "OHM")

thanks is one my favorites, i've been looking for this for a week.

Absolutely, fantastically brilliant!!!

i visit this video quite often.

SISTA IS Nice!! I love th way she puts words together and that flow! A true Poet. I mean U didn't hear not one curse word!

Love it. She's beautiful!

just love her hearing her voice so inspiring