Context and Background
Checking Out Me History context is crucial to understanding the poem's significance. John Agard, born in 1949 in British Guiana nowGuyana, experienced firsthand the effects of colonial education.
The poem reflects Agard's frustration with the British education system, which prioritized European history over the rich cultural heritage of his homeland. This Checking Out Me History poem Summary explores how Agard challenges this educational bias.
Highlight: Agard grew up in British Guiana, which was colonized by Britain at the time. The education system followed British standards, focusing on British history rather than local culture.
The poem's structure and language choices reflect Agard's desire to reclaim his cultural identity:
- Use of dialect: Agard incorporates Caribbean Creole English to assert his cultural voice.
- Repetition: The phrase "Dem tell me" emphasizes the imposed nature of British education.
- Contrast: Agard juxtaposes well-known British historical figures with Caribbean and African heroes.
Quote: "Dem tell me / Wha dem want to tell me / But now I checking out me own history / I carving out me identity"
These lines encapsulate the poem's central theme of reclaiming one's cultural heritage and identity.
Vocabulary: "Dem" - Creole English for "they," used to refer to the British educational authorities.
