“When the Smoke Cleared:” Readings from Poetry Written Inside Attica 1973

Experience the transformative power of poetry from the Sing Sing Prison Museum, as high school students recite poems from the works of Dr. Tisdale, the first African-American to teach a poetry class in a US prison.

Delve into the history of incarceration and social justice as we explore Dr. Tisdale’s pioneering efforts to teach poetry within the prison walls. In 1974, amidst the aftermath of the Attica Uprising, Dr. Tisdale embarked on a groundbreaking journey to inspire and uplift incarcerated individuals through the art of verse.

Recently, Professor Mark Nowak discovered a book published by Dr. Tisdale in 1974, filled with poetry written during the class and Tisdale’s journal about teaching at Attica. The book was out of print, but Nowak recognized the significance of the text and shared it with Duke University Press, leading to its republication in 2022.

In these two videos, released on the Sing Sing Prison Museum YouTube Channel, audiences will hear 3 Ossining High School Students reading poems from this anthology, and 3 Rehabilitation Through the Arts/Sing Sing Correctional Facility alumni reading 3 poems from the anthology as well.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the intersection of poetry, history, and social change!