Summary Of Somebody Flew Up America By Amiri Baraka
Exploring my Identity
“Somebody Blew up America” was written following the attacks on the twin towers on September 11th 2001 which was a catastrophic day for the United States. Many people, including myself assess this poem as controversial and redundant. Amiri Baraka begins the poem with a sarcastic attitude, “They say it’s some terrorist, some barbaric, a rab, in Afghanistan” (Baraka) which suggests that he does not entirely believe the explanation that was given for the 9/11 attacks. Baraka was extremely aggressive with this poem which resulted into much criticism from the American people. I cannot fully relate to Amiri Baraka since we come from extremely different backgrounds. Baraka grew up in a completely different time period and I am convinced that we have progressed as a nation since then. I consider the United States of America as the best country in the world and we are blessed to live in such a place where we have the freedom to express ourselves. In the poem, Baraka relates back to the …show more content…
I will be the first one to tell you that our country has many issues, but I try to focus on the future more instead of reminiscing on past events. Race, gender, and class are all important factors when it comes to shaping your personal identity. Out of the three, I believe that race is the most important. In my opinion, slavery is by far the worst thing that has happened in America. Baraka quoted “Who believe the confederate flag need to be flying” (Baraka) which relates to the current event of the Confederate flag being taken down from the State house in my home state of South Carolina. This is one of the few points that I actually come to an agreement with Baraka. In my opinion, the confederate flag still brings out racial tension between blacks and whites which is why it should be placed inside a museum instead of flying over our State
“Somebody Blew up America” was written following the attacks on the twin towers on September 11th 2001 which was a catastrophic day for the United States. Many people, including myself assess this poem as controversial and redundant. Amiri Baraka begins the poem with a sarcastic attitude, “They say it’s some terrorist, some barbaric, a rab, in Afghanistan” (Baraka) which suggests that he does not entirely believe the explanation that was given for the 9/11 attacks. Baraka was extremely aggressive with this poem which resulted into much criticism from the American people. I cannot fully relate to Amiri Baraka since we come from extremely different backgrounds. Baraka grew up in a completely different time period and I am convinced that we have progressed as a nation since then. I consider the United States of America as the best country in the world and we are blessed to live in such a place where we have the freedom to express ourselves. In the poem, Baraka relates back to the …show more content…
I will be the first one to tell you that our country has many issues, but I try to focus on the future more instead of reminiscing on past events. Race, gender, and class are all important factors when it comes to shaping your personal identity. Out of the three, I believe that race is the most important. In my opinion, slavery is by far the worst thing that has happened in America. Baraka quoted “Who believe the confederate flag need to be flying” (Baraka) which relates to the current event of the Confederate flag being taken down from the State house in my home state of South Carolina. This is one of the few points that I actually come to an agreement with Baraka. In my opinion, the confederate flag still brings out racial tension between blacks and whites which is why it should be placed inside a museum instead of flying over our State