Page 2: Second Half of the Poem and Conclusion
The second half of Checking Out Me History continues the pattern of contrasting well-known Western figures with important Black historical figures who are often overlooked in traditional education.
Example: The poem mentions Florence Nightingale but emphasizes Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse who also served in the Crimean War.
Definition: Mary Seacole - A British-Jamaican nurse who set up the "British Hotel" behind the lines during the Crimean War.
Agard introduces other significant Black historical figures:
- Nanny of the Maroons, described as a "see-far woman" and "fire-woman struggle"
- Shaka, the great Zulu leader
The poem also touches on the often-overlooked impact of colonization on indigenous peoples:
Quote: "Dem tell me bout Columbus and 1492 / but what happen to de Caribs and de Arawaks too"
Towards the end, the poem shifts from passive reception of history to active engagement:
Highlight: The lines "But now I checking out me own history / I carving out me identity" signify the speaker's determination to learn about their own cultural heritage.
This shift emphasizes the main theme of the poem: the importance of understanding one's own history and cultural identity, rather than accepting a narrow, imposed historical narrative.
Vocabulary: Identity - The characteristics determining who or what a person is, including their cultural and historical background.
The structure of Checking Out Me History reinforces its message through repetition, contrast, and a gradual shift from passive to active voice. This structure mirrors the speaker's journey from being told a selective history to actively seeking out their own cultural narrative.
