You are in the Dark, in the car
Who writes this poem
Claudia Rankine
Who writes this poem?
Ross Gay
Who writes this poem
Claudia Rankine
Who writes this poem?
Ross Gay
Where was Tracy K Smith educated?
Harvard, Stanford and Columbia
how has racism effected poetry?
It has shaped poetic themes, inspired protest writing, influenced new literary movements, and silenced many voices in publishing.
How does the title of the poem express the theme?
It shows the wonder, hope, worry and excitement for a child you may or may not meet and the future you both might have
How does rebellion effect poetry?
This theme—often expressed through defiance of authority, breaking of traditional forms, and bold emotional honesty—has shaped poetic movements from Romanticism to the Beats.
What is the theme of the poem?
The poem reflects the fear, humiliation, and anger that come with being unjustly targeted because of race. It shows how an ordinary moment—driving in the morning—can turn into a threatening encounter due to systemic bias.
In "The United States Welcomes You", How does the title of the poem relate to the content of it?
The title becomes ironic because the United States seems anything but welcoming.
How does the situational irony in the last couple of stanzas emphasize the central message of the poem?
The fact that the trauma therapist becomes aggressive towards her patient (likely because of her race) is ironic and shows how racism persists in all aspects of life, even in spaces where it would be least expected.
How does the diction of the poem (cellular snuggle, vascular galaxy, tiny mountain range) contribute to the mood/message of the poem?
creates a sense of wonder/awe, speaker projects his admiration for his child by comparing them to great/big things
Do any of you get a sense of empowerment, or do you think the speaker resembles this within her own dialogue throughout the poem or is it more unsettling?
In some parts yes (ex. “Even as your own weight insists you are here, fighting off the weight of nonexistence” and “you are not sick, you are injured-/you ache for the rest of life”.)
How does the author use repetition to enhance the message of his poem?
words like “rage, slipping, pulse, virus, squeeze, taut lips, jaw tight” create a sense of anxiety the speaker feels in the situation. The poem being relatively short, one stanza poem quickens the pace and increase tension.
In "Declaration", How does the title of the poem connect to the content of it?
Directly references the Declaration of Independence, which did not include the independence of African Americans. The central message of the poem is about the prolonged oppression this community has faced and continues to face despite the values of “life, liberty, happiness” for all in one of the most defining American documents. “Of Independence” being deliberately cut out.
What affect does the use of a second person pronoun have on the poem?
Places reader into situation/exposed to the thoughts/emotions a person would have when experiencing racism
What is the effect of this poem being a direct address (apostrophe) to the speaker’s child?
creates a sense of presence and intimacy between the speaker and his child, adds emotional weight,
What effect does the repetition of words, especially “you” have on the poem?
Makes the poem very personal and places emphasis on the individual experience of facing an oppressive society
What affect does the conclusion have on the overall nature of the poem?
The entire time the poem is stressful and tense, but the ending is just as anxiety induced from its hypothetical bad ending and open-endedness at the same time. It is dissatisfying because the speaker still isn’t safe – the moment isn’t over yet.
In "The United States Welcomes You", What is the tone of the poem, and how does the author achieve that tone?
Constant use of “us” and asking questions after questions create an accusatory tone. Question of “What is that leaping in your chest” allows the reader to understand the speaker’s demanding attitude and receiver's anxiety. The structure of a poem mimics an interaction between an interegator and a suspect.
What affect does the inclusion of dialogue have on the poem? What is the point of not including quotation marks in the dialogue?
Maybe to have the reader look more closely at the poem to discern what is dialogue what is not/ represent the speaker not feeling heard / to show how racism is conversation so normalized that they blend in with everyday situations
How does the author use repetition to enhance the message of his poem?
final stanzas connect the main ideas throughout the poem and tie them back to the speaker when he says, “little best of me”. (the final stanza being one line makes the repetition stronger) Repetition present when he says “scream and scream and scream” emphasizes how strong he imagines his child will be
In the structure of this poem: What mood or tone is brought by the dashes added throughout the poem? And what about the slash between stanzas?
Tone and mood: Dashes represent a sense of wonder within herself and her own dialogue. A sense of hesitation or disruption within her thoughts. It is emotional. Slashes: As a reader one will think that it will signify a clean transition, but the slashes carry on a transition packed with many unsettling emotions that the speaker is feeling.
How does the speaker explore the internal conflict of trying to keep calm in a situation that both scares and angers him?
Gay shows his stress through the heavy enjambment, diction, and pacing of the poem, but couples this with “forcing” the mind to quiet the body and using “every ounce of strength” to avoid speaking out and instead repeatedly answering questions.
In "Declaration",What is the effect of this poem being an erasure poem of the Declaration of Independence?
Reflects grievances against systemic racism, giving a voice to Black Americans who have had their voices erased, transforming a document that only gave white men freedom to a lament for people who have suffered from oppression.