checking out my history

• “dem tell me”

  • “dem” created division
  • ”dem” - they, dialect, colloquial language
  • “tell” - verb, disempowering
  • repitition suggests constant barrage of learning by rote without insight
• the poet shows conflict between cultures and the need to forge his own identity by embracing his caribbean heritag, even if it is not encouraged by authoritive’s
• the poet uses structure to build in rhyme and rhythm and portray an oral tradition of stories