Claudia Rankine is an acclaimed American poet, essayist, and playwright, known for her exploration of race, identity, and social justice. Born on January 23, 1972, in Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to the United States at a young age. Rankine's work often blends poetry with visual art and multimedia, creating a unique narrative style. Her most notable work, Citizen: An American Lyric, received widespread recognition and won several awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award. Rankine's writing challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about race and privilege in contemporary society, making her a significant voice in modern literature.