Wow, off top Gabrielle N. Lane Clarke's Ode to a Black Child (AKA Mr. America) is great. Unlike many of the poems we have read so far this poem starts off as a tradtional writing form with a story being told about what was told to the author. The introduction almost seems as if it going to be information about the poet's background and accomplishes but instread it ends up being apart of the poem itself. In this poem I believe politics are defined by the mention of the civil rights movement and how that movement was a pillar attribute in Black culture. The title itself has a very political aspect to it, AKA Mr. America. As I said before I believe poets and comedians are the people's politicians. They bring the knowledge and information from the government and inform us the plain terms of information given. I take the poem more seriously when there is a political significance in the poem, because politics are things that everyone has a hand in whether they are aware of it or not. Just as I was saying of how poets give information about government or certain legislations, they have the power to relay that information however it pleases them. Though most poets relay information on its seriousness and relativeness to the community or audience it is intended to be heard by. This poem in particular I feel I can relate. It has been plenty of situations where I was one of two black people in the classroom, or at times the only black person in the classroom. And when you are not able to familiarize yourself with anyone else in the room, its hard to find a sense of self or community when everyone in the room looks different. You also start to notice differences in the way you are treated at an early age. Whether you are being treated differently based on color, ethnic background, religion, or SES. You do notice a difference. The last lines...
and why is it--
when I knock
Mr. America--
no one seems
to be HOME??!!
I love this line because it does not say that the knock on the door is being ignored when someone is in the house, but how the house is empty to begin with....hmph.....that makes me think, what does that mean??????????
-Dorothy
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I didn't remember hearing you say that poets and comedians are the people's politicians, but I agree! This observation has proven itself in our current political climate with the election of Al Franken - a comedian who made his name on Saturday Night Live, established his political voice on Air America, and then actually entered the political race - AND WON! Says a lot about who we trust, how much transparency and straight talk is valued.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your reading of the end of the poem. I assumed it meant that someone was not answering the door, but the HOME being empty paints a much different picture. I hope you bring up in class the places this poem has taken you.
right. it's an important poem because it moves into the reader in such a significant way. We are along for the ride, for the details of ways we are failed. your connection is strong.
ReplyDeletee
the poem also makes one consider if a different strategy is needed. That a community response may have to change in recognition that access to some legal rights only addresses part of the issue. The house imagery also reminds me of an Audre Lorde quote: "the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house". If one remains only at the door knocking to get in, the home will perpetually be other & empty.
ReplyDeleteI agree what a beautiful ending to a poem.
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