This paper compares and contrasts the poetry of three different authors who wrote on the topic of racism and self-identity.
Using the two poems, "Mama Dot" and "Airy Hall Iconography" by Fred D'Aguiar, the author discusses the portrayal of the African female, slavery, how the characters felt when they were removed from the African motherland, problems of self-identity and
cultural alienation. The paper then compares and contrasts the themes found in two poems by Tom Leonard, "100 Differences Between Poetry and Prose," and "The Evidence." Some of the themes that are discussed include one's
struggle with self-identity and racism. The paper concludes with the analysis of two poems by Grace Nichols, "Black" and "White." Again, the theme here is racism, which the author portrays by expanding upon the notion of what black and white really mean and how these colors have come to demonstrate polar opposites when the topic of racism and race relations are raised.