"Shades Drawn Back" is a powerful collection of poems that evokes emotion and reflection as the reader is invited to take a critical look at the social issues of modern-day culture. Written in the style of slam poetry, each poem examines controversy, conflict, and struggle at both the collective level and the individual level of the human experience. The book challenges us to think beyond what we see and know by weaving in strong, clear calls-to-action for self-awareness and change. In the end, the reader is left with an enlightening experience, rekindling the desire for a better world.