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Checking Out Me History- Poem Wikipedia Page

'Checking Out Me History' is a poem by John Agard. In it, he details how black history was never made a priority in schools, and because of this, Agard struggled to connect with his identity growing up. His poem shows him reconnecting with his roots and learning about his history that he felt was undervalued and disregarded by the education system.

Poem
Dem tell me Dem tell me Wha dem want to tell me

Bandage up me eye with me own history Blind me to my own identity

Dem tell me bout 1066 and all dat dem tell me bout Dick Whittington and he cat But Touissant L’Ouverture no dem never tell me bout dat

Toussaint a slave with vision lick back Napoleon battalion and first Black Republic born Toussaint de thorn to de French Toussaint de beacon of de Haitian Revolution

Dem tell me bout de man who discover de balloon and de cow who jump over de moon Dem tell me bout de dish run away with de spoon but dem never tell me bout Nanny de maroon

Nanny see-far woman of mountain dream fire-woman struggle hopeful stream ''to freedom river '' Dem tell me bout Lord Nelson and Waterloo but dem never tell me bout Shaka de great Zulu Dem tell me bout Columbus and 1492 but what happen to de Caribs and de Arawaks too

Dem tell me bout Florence Nightingale and she lamp and how Robin Hood used to camp Dem tell me bout ole King Cole was a merry ole soul but dem never tell me bout Mary Seacole

From Jamaica she travel far to the Crimean War she volunteer to go and even when de British said no she still brave the Russian snow a healing star among the wounded a yellow sunrise to the dying

Dem tell me Dem tell me wha dem want to tell me But now I checking out me own history I carving out me identity

Context
John Agard published this poem in 2005, as a part of his poetry book 'Half-Caste and Other Poems'. Born in Guyana, Agard came to the UK when he was 30. Agard has spoken out about the lack of education there is in regards to black history, especially for those who had family who were alive during colonisation, because they could not relate to the history they were taught.

He mixes Patois and his own personal idiolect with his poetry, to establish a strong voice for the speakers of his poem. In this poem in particular, Agard allows musical influences to shine through, with the rhythm very much mimicking a nursery rhyme.

Analysis
'Checking Out Me History' is on page 60-63 of John Agard's poetry book 'Half-Caste and Other Poems'.

Agard lists many historical figures that were highlighted in the education system, and then immediately follows up with a historical person from black history, who was not highlighted in the school curriculum. Agard does not compare them, instead, he shines a light on who the lesser known historical figures are, in an attempt to educate others about them in the same way the historical figures in mainstream education were taught to him.

Patois influenced language use such as 'Dem' and 'Wha' suggests that the older Agard has now found that sense of identity he mentioned in the last line. Black history is studied more now, but Agard's message still stands true for the education system now, as many schools teach black history for black history month, but do not carry that through to the main school curriculum and syllabus.

The poem's structure changes slightly when the historical figures of black history are mentioned. As mentioned by Walker, he adopts a 'chant-like' tone and the pace quickens.

'Checking Out Me History' highlights the cultural and historic significance of figures such as 'Toussaint L’Ouverture', 'Nanny de Maroons' or 'Nanny of the Maroons' and 'Mary Seacole'. They have significantly longer, and separate, stanzas dedicated to them. By doing this, Agard gives them their time in the spotlight, but does not reveal too much to his audience, which piques their interest and makes them want to find out more about them. It is through this structure that he educates his audience whilst not denouncing or degrading the historical figures we are used to learning about.