Checking out me history

• context

  • he wasn't taught about his background as a child
  • lack of identity
  • critique of western education system
• themes

  • power of humans
  • anger
  • identity
• " bandage up me eye with me own history "
• " bandage up me eye with me own history "

  • metaphor
  • suggests injury - negatively effected his life
  • has been hurt by his sheltered childhood
  • can't see who he is
• " dem tell me what dem want to tell me "
• " dem tell me what dem want to tell me "

  • non standard english - wants to acknowledge his culture
  • learning at school - biased towards white history
  • critiques westernised education
• " i carving out me identity "
• " i carving out me identity "

  • taking ownership of his life
  • define himself with no influence from others
  • now talks about himself and not others
  • ends the poem - he is taking back control
• comparisons

  • the emigree
  • tissue