In Williams' memoir in essays, award-winning poet and performer Saul Williams vividly recalls the most dramatic moments of his political awakening 

Songs My Mother Taught Me is the amusing, wise revelation of an American writer journeying around an often strange and always exciting world. Williams' wanderlust leads him to Brazil, Haiti, Palestine, and many other nations in times of imperialist conflict and genocide. He meets and brings to life the famous and the humble, from history and real encounters, from Paul Robeson to artists in Brazilian bars.

Along the way, Williams comes to understand that all art can be propaganda and builds a case for why the artist must not only speak up but also choose sides.

The radical artists of the Vanguard Series offer new poetry and prose to answer the question: "What does poetry have to do with politics?"