(posted by Erin Sells on the behalf of Terrinae & Patrice)
The main theme in this section seems to be about both the beauty of raising children and the pain of raising them in the world that we live in. Many of the poems speak of how hard it is being African American and raising your children against the stereotypical expectations that others prejudge them with. We see the beauty of raising children in such poems as "Black Cryptogram" by Michael S. Harper, short and simply he proclaims, "When God created the black child He was showing off." This depicts the sense of pride that African Americans have for their children (pg. 237).
This section also shows the negative reality of bringing a child into this world. In Georgia Johnson's poem "Motherhood", she is telling a child not to come through her, because "you do not know what a world this is of cruelty and sin." (pg 239). In a sense she is trying to warn and protect the child that she has not yet brought into this earth. We feel like she is justifying having an abortion which is not very uncommon for any period within African American history. For instance, In the movie Beloved or The Amistad, the women would rather murder their own child than to have them suffer the hardships and prejudices of this world.
It is sad that someone would choose to terminate a pregnancy because they don't want thier child to live in a world like ours. What makes it so sad for me is the fact that it is very true. Our world does hold many cruel and evil things. On the other hand our world has many great things about it as well. I think a lot of it goes back to whether or not you are personally ready for all of the responsibilities of a child. If you love and care for your child and raise them to be respectable adults then it is possible to overcome the harshness of our world.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that there is a duality within The Oxford Anthology of African-American Poetry's section, "Whose Children Are These?". I definitely feel that some African-American parents embody a strong sense of pride when their child does well, proclaiming things like, "That's my baby!" In addition, it is not uncommon to hear future or prospective parents fear the cruelty or suffering that their child may endure if they come into the world. In fact, some African-Americans cry when I child is born into the world because of the harsh and malice world we live in as well as rejoice when one leaves, going to a better place, specifically Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This section is not a very happy section. Sometimes the black children have no choice but are treated unfairly. Nowadays, racial discrimination is still a serious problem that cannot be avoided. The children are innocent. The world is unfair. Georgia Johnson writes her feeling in the poem "Motherhood". She feels a little bit helpless because all she could do is to warm and protect these children by her own ability, which is inadequate. Children are the country’s hope of tomorrow. If we leave these children to grow up in a terrible circumstance that is full of racial discrimination, how the country will be?
ReplyDeleteI feel that this section displays the emotions that mothers or potential mothers have when they think about having to raise children in a cruel environment. As we all know, the world does not cater to the human being. Therefore, everyone endures hardships.
ReplyDeleteAs can be expected, mothers do not want to want their children to experience any struggles in life; however, it is unavoidable. I think this section does a very good job of accurately portraying the emotions of a mother. I am not sure when the poem "Motherhood" was written; however, it can be concluded that the poem may have been written during slavery time and the words are the emotions of a woman who was a slave fearing for her childs future.
I agree with what the others have mentioned above. I believe it depicts the feelings of mothers who dont want their children growing up in a world like ours. This in turn makes me wonder how many people actually feel this way? It is sad, that people feel this way about our world and civilization. Also, I understand why a mother would not want her child to struggle in life, however struggle is a part of life. It helps shape people, and makes them stronger and appreciate life in the end.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this section of the "African American Anthology" is based on the hardships and benefits of motherhood. Having children, as in the act itself and possessing them has two sides. The poems outline the good and the bad,ups and downs. The idea that childbirth is beautifiul and painful is something that people seem to forget because in today's society everything revolves around the act,and not the emotional meaning that's attached.
ReplyDeleteThis section has depth and underlying meaning. The way in which each is discovered or realized will depend on the reader's life and personal perceptions. I enjoyed the poems from this section and will probably take the time to read them again later for my pleasure and too see how my understanding changed with time.
I agree with a lot of the things mentioned above. It's very sad that a mother would rather kill her child then watch that child suffer. However, as Courtney said, struggling is a part of life. It could be that the struggle a child endures, because of racial factors or otherwise, could be the thing that makes that child want to do something to change the world we live in and make it better.
ReplyDeleteI also think that this section is about the hardships that come along with motherhood and with simply growing up being a different race than those around you. It's something everyone faces at least one time in their lives regardless of skin color and that everyone struggles with. Every mother wants what is best for her child and wants to try to improve their way of life and they would rather suffer the pain of their children or take that pain away (even through death) than to witness them suffer in any way. Although many of the poems focused on African American women, I believe it is a common theme for mother's to want what is best for their child regardless of race.
ReplyDelete