Checkin Out Me History

• ''dem tell me''

  • repetition throughout poem = sense of conflict, angry tone
  • dem = accusatory tone
  • me = not 'us', narrator is isolated and outnumbered
• ''Blind me to me own identity''

  • Blind = violent metaphor with painful connotations of an emotionally draining process, imperative verb gives a sense of control
  • identity = his education changed the way he views himself
• ''de cow who jump over de moon''

  • fictional but still included, not important
  • de = non-standard phonetic spelling with English fairy tales, proving multiple cultures can be embraced together
  • semantic field of childhood implies he has lost his childhood, trying to get it back
• ''de beacon of the Haitian revolution''

  • in italics (on paper) = embracing his Caribbean culture
  • beacon = recurring light motif hope, truth and purity - challenging the racist stereotype of black = evil
  • beacon = has emotional significance to him, his guidance
  • this piece of history is factual and relevant
• ''But now i checking out me own history

  I carving out me own identity'' - last line in poem

  • but = Volta, his attitude and tone has changed from anger to determination
  • I = went from 'dem' to 'I', taking ownership
  • carving = active verb, implies great care, he wants to nurture his correct identity
  • identity = contrasts to the 'blind me' quote, speaker's journey to resolution
  • no full stop = an ongoing process, will continue to learn and give this opportunity to others