This paper is about racism and how it is portrayed in the following poems: "Jasper Texas 1998," "A Party Down at the Square," and "Night, Death, Mississippi."

Our Nation's Disease This disease has swept the entire population. It infests our schools, churches, hospitals, playgrounds, and especially the workplace. Every person ranging from little toddlers to senior citizens have, in some fashion or another encountered this deadly disease. Starting as early as the birth of America, this disease lasted the varying tests of time. It is unavoidable as its symptoms attack our physical and mental health. Although it has stricken hundreds of millions …

…June 1998: A8. Clifton, Jasper. "Jasper Texas 1998." Handout. Ellison, Ralph. "A Party Down at the Square." Handout. Hayden, Robert. "Night, Death, Mississippi." Handout. John, Hatcher. From the Auroral Darkness: The Life and Poetry of Robert Hayden. New York: George Ronald Pub., Ltd., 1984. Moritz, Elk. Malcolm X Quotes. 1998. 06 Dec. 2003. < http://www.unix-ag.uni-kl.de/~moritz/xquotes.html> "Racism." Encarta Online Encyclopedia. 2003. Encarta Encyclopedia Premium Service. 06 Dec. 2003. <http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761585697/Racism.html>.