No Problem by Benjamin Zephaniah
Ever been judged unfairly because of how you look? Zephaniah's poem captures exactly how frustrating that feels, but with a defiant twist that refuses to let racism win.
The poem uses a strong refrain - "I am not de problem" - that hammers home the central message. Zephaniah cleverly lists all the racist stereotypes people throw at him, from being branded as just "athletic" instead of "academic" to assumptions about dancing and smiling. The ABCD rhyme scheme keeps the rhythm punchy and memorable.
What makes this poem brilliant is how Zephaniah flips the script. He uses sarcasm and humour to expose how ridiculous these stereotypes are, especially with that final line: "Sum of me best friends are white" - a cheeky parody of the classic excuse racists use. The Caribbean dialect isn't hidden away; it's worn proudly as part of his identity.
Key insight: The poem shows how racism can feel like a "long term disease" that affects people over time, but the speaker refuses to develop "chips on me shoulders" - staying positive despite the injustice.
