Checking Out Me History Flashcards
“D t m/ w d w t t m” Power of Humans, Identity
‘Dem tell me/ what dem want to tell me’
This line introduces the central theme of the poem, the idea of a dominant narrative or history that is imposed upon the speaker by an unnamed “them.” The repetition of “tell me” emphasizes the one-sided nature of this communication, the way in which the speaker is positioned as a passive recipient of information rather than an active participant in the construction of knowledge. The phrase “what dem want to tell me” suggests a kind of selectivity or bias, a filtering of history through the lens of the powerful. This line sets up the poem’s exploration of the way in which certain voices and perspectives are privileged while others are marginalized or erased.
“B u m e… B m t m o i”
‘Bandage up me eye… Blind me to me own identity’
This metaphor presents the idea of historical erasure as a kind of physical blinding, a covering up of the eyes that prevents the speaker from seeing his own true self. The image of the bandage suggests a kind of wounding or trauma, a violence done to the psyche by the suppression of one’s cultural heritage. The phrase “Blind me to me own identity” captures the devastating impact of this erasure, the way in which it robs the speaker of a sense of self and belonging. This line reflects the poem’s concern with the psychological and spiritual consequences of being denied access to one’s own history and ancestry.
“D t m a C a 1492/ B w h t t d C a d A t” Power of Humans, Identity
‘Dem tell me about Columbus and 1492/ But what happen to the de Caribs and de Arawaks too’
This line juxtaposes the dominant historical narrative of European exploration and conquest with the untold stories of the indigenous peoples who were the victims of this colonization. The reference to Columbus and 1492 represents the canonical, Eurocentric version of history that is taught in schools and celebrated in popular culture. The question “But what happen to the de Caribs and de Arawaks too” is a powerful challenge to this narrative, a demand for an acknowledgment of the genocide and displacement that was the reality for the native inhabitants of the Americas. This line reflects the poem’s insistence on the need for a more inclusive and truthful account of history, one that recognizes the experiences and perspectives of the marginalized and oppressed.
“B n I c o m o h” Power of Humans, Identity
‘But now I checking out me own history’
This line marks a turning point in the poem, a shift from a passive acceptance of the dominant narrative to an active exploration and reclaiming of one’s own cultural heritage. The phrase “checking out” suggests a kind of investigation or inquiry, a critical examination of the stories and traditions that have been passed down through generations. The emphasis on “me own history” is a powerful assertion of agency and self-determination, a refusal to be defined by the versions of history imposed by others. This line reflects the poem’s celebration of the power of individuals and communities to reshape and redefine their own identities and histories.
“I c o m i” Power of Humans, Identity
‘I carving out me identity’
This final line of the poem presents a powerful image of the speaker actively shaping and creating his own sense of self and place in the world. The verb “carving” suggests a kind of artistic or creative process, a deliberate and intentional shaping of one’s identity. The phrase “me identity” emphasizes the personal and individual nature of this process, the way in which each person must ultimately take responsibility for defining and asserting their own unique being. This line encapsulates the poem’s ultimate vision of a kind of cultural and historical self-determination, a reclaiming of the right to tell one’s own story and to tind meaning and pride in one’s own heritage.
