Meaning: The quote by June Jordan reflects her early awareness of the power and beauty of language, particularly in the form of music. As a writer and poet, she emphasizes the significance of the musicality of language in her own development as a wordsmith. This quote speaks to the profound impact that language and its rhythms had on her from a young age, shaping her identity as a poet and writer.

June Jordan was a prolific and influential writer, poet, and activist known for her powerful and unapologetic expressions of social and political issues. Born in Harlem, New York City, in 1936, she grew up in a culturally rich environment that likely contributed to her early appreciation for language and its musical qualities. Her experiences as a Black woman in America also informed much of her work, as she often addressed themes of racial injustice, gender inequality, and the struggles of marginalized communities.

In the quote, June Jordan describes how the "music of language" became "extremely important" to her at a young age. This suggests that she was attuned to the rhythmic and melodic aspects of words and their arrangement even before she fully understood their meanings. For her, language was not just a tool for communication, but a source of artistic expression and emotional resonance. This early sensitivity to the musicality of language laid the foundation for her future endeavors as a poet and writer.

Furthermore, she states that by the age of seven, she was already writing and identifying herself as a poet. This revelation speaks to the innate creativity and passion that drove her to engage with language in a deeply personal and artistic way. It also underscores the idea that writing, for her, was not merely a skill to be acquired, but an inherent part of her being. Her self-identification as a poet at such a young age highlights the profound impact that the "music of language" had on her formative years.

As a writer, June Jordan's work often incorporated elements of music, rhythm, and oral traditions. Her poetry, in particular, is known for its lyrical qualities and its ability to evoke a sense of musicality through the arrangement of words and sounds. This further underscores the significance of the "music of language" in her creative endeavors, as she actively sought to infuse her writing with the same emotive and rhythmic power that she found captivating in spoken and written words.

In conclusion, June Jordan's quote encapsulates the early influence of language's musicality on her development as a writer and poet. Her keen awareness of the "music of language" from a young age shaped her artistic identity and laid the groundwork for her future contributions to literature and activism. By recognizing the profound impact of language's musical qualities, she not only celebrated the inherent beauty of words but also harnessed their expressive potential to create resonant and impactful poetry and prose.