Kwame Alexander - “This Is the Honey” & “Why Fathers Cry at Night” | The Daily Show

“Poetry is a way to open up a door to possibilities, no matter who’s writing.” Bestselling author and Emmy-winning producer Kwame Alexander stops by to talk about his latest anthology of Black poets, called “This Is the Honey,” and how it is a way for any reader to explore the love and triumphs of a Black experience, not just tragedy. Alexander also gives Michael Kosta advice for raising daughters and reads a poem from his memoir, “Why Fathers Cry at Night.” #DailyShow #KwameAlexander #MichaelKosta
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[@curtismmichaels]

Michael achieved a perfect balance of edgy comedy and heart-felt respect. I am so grateful to learn of Kwame Alexander.

[@tiararoxeanne1318]

This interview is especially unique because Michael didn't pretend that he understood poetry. He was a novice. He admitted that, and showed his willingness to learn. A lot of us also don't understand or appreciate poetry, so his approach to an Emmy-winning poet like Kwame made us at ease. If Michael were also an expert on poetry, a lot of audience would feel left out. I felt that way in the past when watching Stephen Colbert talked about theatre or Lord of The Rings with his guests.

[@lindseyf2307]

He speaks so eloquently, it’s beautiful to listen to! The dedication it must have taken to write 40 books! What an amazing man!

[@helios7212]

👏👏👏💯

[@shay1geo]

🤦🏾‍♂️

[@michaelallen3195]

I don't say this to pull you down but to explain how something comes across that you wrote, hoping it will help. "He's so eloquent," "she speaks so well," and the like are almost exclusively said about Black Americans, or occasionally other minorities. It's not that the compliment isn't sincere--you probably meant it as genuine praise. However, it speaks to the expectations that we have of a P.O.C. holding a microphone. It usually comes from deeply ingrained implicit bias, reinforced throughout our society. It's easy to argue otherwise until we look around for a similar compliment being given to a white person, with the exception of those whose job it is to make speeches (politicians, mostly). Again, not calling you out to say how bad you are, but rather to say this is a tired "compliment" that is better replaced by something more specific and not just drawing contrast to negative stereotypes. Edit: To add, certainly don't take my word for it. Do a search of the phrase "so well spoken" to see plenty that has been said about this.

[@helios7212]

​​@michaelallen3195 fair point, very true. What terms would you suggest instead to compliment his work as a writer and a poet in a more sensitive manner?

[@michaelallen3195]

@@MABO07 Maybe your experience doesn't match up, but this is pretty well documented. Like I said, don't take my word for it. Look it up independent of what I'm saying. If you're more aware, it can only make you better. Or you'll only waste a couple minutes looking up something you don't agree with.

[@This-Bish-Annoyed-AF]

In a time when everything in the media feels bleak, we needed this genuine and hopeful human exchange. Thank you for bringing light, hope and levity ♥️

[@cloudbullets]

Book got rejected 22 times and then it got adapted and got Kwame Alexander an Emmy. Never give up.

[@susyg82]

I always tell my 10 yo son that he is loved very much, and that we love him just because he exists. After listening to the poem at the end of this segment, I told him something more last night. I told him that he does not need to prove his love to anyone, and that he does not need to ask anyone to prove their love to him. He does not need to go around asking for love and asking for proof. This also opened the conversation about love. What it is, how does it look like, how it is shown in daily life and daily interaction. Simple things like listening, caring, respecting are signs or love. For example. Thank you for this segment.

[@DidaMinecraft]

That was beautiful, glad to see appreciation of poetry isn't a relic of the past

[@sugarqbs]

I like that poetry evolves and shifts, like we’ve seen in music, but at the same time I love that the tried and tested forms are preserved and continue to prove effective with each generation. It gives me the confidence that each generation is taking what they can from the last and passing it on.

[@DidaMinecraft]

@@sugarqbs agreed, we all stand on the shoulders of giants =)

[@helios7212]

💯💯👏👏🙏

[@colleenfirestine7284]

Absolutely heartwarming.

[@joshuambean]

That was a GREAT interview. From both sides. I love that! Thank you.

[@williamchalker9364]

What a joyful interview! Thank you both!

[@BettyofOOO]

Aw man, that poem wrecked me. Great interview.

[@rikkiechambers4959]

Poetry is just songs without music Kosta , and as a wordsmith yourself you really should be a fan already lol I think it’s like he said I think a lot of us have forgotten how much we love poetry and he’s going to remind us ❤. I have loved poetry since I was in grade school and competed in speech class so I could recite it . Thank you so much for having such an accomplished poet on .. please more of this ❤

[@helios7212]

Agreed 💯🙏

[@MelissaChapin]

I second that emotion. ❤️

[@julioreija8052]

In my experience, you don't get into poetry - poetry gets into you 😊

[@michelerokes3665]

GREAT INTERVIEW! I wished that it would have lasted longer.

[@paddyryan9025]

This is such a brilliant video! Michael Kosta was the perfect man to interview Kwame Alexander, heartfelt and thoughtful questions peppered with some of his really funny little ad libs. I love that Kwame is getting children and adults interested in poetry.

[@donniedemarco]

Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊🍾 on all Kwame Alexander’s achievements and successes!

[@HermitLady]

Kosta, bud, you’re doing phenomenal. Keep up the hard work! 💞🤟

[@helios7212]

Inspirational interview, thank you 🙏

[@michaelmoraga2926]

A shout out to Pablo Neruda... Right on 💜

[@timb350]

Now THIS is a guy who has a VOICE...and knows how to use it. Just imagine...if that kind of thing could be effectively taught. What a resource that would be ...to whatever community learned to harness it.

[@laalaa99stl]

Great choice for your first guest this week, Mr. I-Am-Very-White! 😁

[@Palidine4M0O]

The way he ended the last word in the poem with a high inflection in his voice, it kind of says something "all by herself", like he's happy for her, but still sad

[@Mathapelo2006]

I've been a fan of his books since The Crossover (2014). During the early days of the pandemic, he did a daily Instagram live for kids at home and he would read from his books. I gained an even greater appreciation for his talents hearing him deliver his words as they are meant to be heard/read. His work has such emotional depth, as well as humour, and he captures universal feelings in such a powerful, beautiful way.

[@lovewhatidolady]

Kwame!! 🙌🏾🧡🙏🏿🥰 Awesome!! Continued blessings and Congratulations!!!

[@Diddlyang1234]

I read the crossover in school 🎉🎉

[@MamaTreNiner]

🏆❤️💯

[@dianematt7837]

Beautiful

[@catherinewilliams9680]

If poetry intimidates you, remember songs are nothing more than poem put to music.

[@xtopheralanfoster3964]

I'm an ordained minister/justice of the peace ~ My standard advice is ALWAYS READ SOMETHING TWICE ~

[@kenfurusho2295]

Northern Virginia represent!

[@BobGeogeo]

And all Mid-Atlantic, too.

[@donwilber1628]

Yup, great place for traffic, bureaucrats, and taxes. Spent 37 yrs in NoVA, and was so happy to get out a few yrs. ago. The only thing I've missed is the diversity of food choices.

[@erickchavez2783]

​@donwilber1628 see ya!

[@CatJabZ]

This was lovely.

[@giannadeluchilomellini5522]

Kwame, thanks for mentioning the great Pablo Neruda.

[@thesuncollective1475]

Well done man you're an inspiration. Truly magnificent 🎉 (my daughter is 14 and turned down a boy who wanted to be a bf, I guess I'm lucky)

[@jubileepup6877]

I wish I could give 2 thumbs up

[@nm985]

I just bought this book of poetry 📚 I can't wait to start reading it.

[@renatocorvaro6924]

Michael behind the desk is so different from Michael "in the field". It's a bit of whiplash, honestly.

[@the_luggage]

"This is contemporary black poetry; I am very white..." - Michael Kosta Also Kosta: goes in for a fist pump - ill advised, man! This interview had me in tears, literally.

[@HermitLady]

Got a thumbs up from me. Well done. 🤟💞🤟💞

[@the_luggage]

"This is contemporary black poetry; I am very white..." - Michael Kosta

[@moavinoamyosherun5804]

Ask him about the youth in Washington D.C...he got award for crossing over

[@MLeibs]

Fast Break is a great sports poem. 🏀

[@xx8031]

"“75”! - “YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS”!"

[@soundhealingmusicbytomasin1712]

Incredible!

[@michaelrobson3460]

Oh!

[@scarlettuwu9582]

When I read the title of this video, what came to mind is when someone’s 19 year old daughter starts doing OF & his friends find out ,.. with things getting really super awkward from that point on 🙂

[@cloudrouju526]

Kids love it just because they think it’s rap.

[@martytrueblood5902]

white mensural notation is the reason we have western art class and music sunshine

[@justincastillogayray]

or Jewel.

[@monl3807]

Ya...no 1:04

[@Atmatan]

For both most of his life and for understanding poetry, the best advice anyone alive could give Kosta is to turn off his mouth and his brain without turning off his ears and his empathy. Dude comes off as a goofy sociopath sometimes.

[@er...]

1st!

[@acenasty1298]

It is strange to start a interview without the intro but it skips the minute of screaming for nothing and it is entirely purposeless to film and post mentally I'll people who haven't left their house in 5 years go to a concert take some valume jist calm down laugh and applaud when appropriately not before the person you're freking out about isn't even finished honestly if you realy think the set up is funny wait for the punchline this feral behaviour ruins everything live give you're head a shake control yourself you're adults not toddlers screaming over candy in the grocery store

[@svartfrasr9755]

Hands hands fingers thumbs. Dum diddy dumb diddy dum dum dum...

[@auslandermercury972]

I can tell you, as an uncle whose adult nephew has randomly told me that I’m a great uncle. It means a lot 🥲 ❤

[@ericthompson3982]

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race." Dead Poets Society

[@milesnapue]

Michael reads, duh!