"No Problem" by Benjamin Zephaniah
Ever been told you're "the problem" when you know you're not? Zephaniah's speaker faces this exact situation, using repetition and dialect to fight back against racist assumptions.
The ABAB rhyme scheme keeps the poem flowing whilst the confrontational tone builds throughout. Notice how "I am not de problem" appears as anaphora (repetition at the start of lines) - this isn't just stylistic flair, it's the speaker's way of asserting their identity against constant attacks.
The first-person perspective makes this deeply personal. From "silly playground taunts" in childhood to being "branded" by police as an adult, we see how racism follows someone through life. The plosive "B" alliteration in "But I bear de runt" emphasises the harsh reality of enduring prejudice.
Here's what makes this poem brilliant: the title is completely ironic. There clearly IS a problem - just not with the speaker. The real problem is the racist society that puts talented people "in a pigeon hole" despite their versatility and potential.
Key insight: The poem's power comes from its defiance - the speaker refuses to be defined by others' prejudices whilst proudly claiming England as home.
The ending hits hardest: "Sum of me best friends are white" flips racist language on its head, showing how absurd these conversations really are.
