Checking Out Me History
By John Agard
Dem tell me
Dem tell me
Wha dem want to tell meBandage up me eye with me own history
Blind me to my own identityDem 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 datToussaint
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 RevolutionDem 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 riverDem 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 tooDem 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 SeacoleFrom 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 dyingDem tell me
Dem tell me wha dem want to tell me
But now I checking out me own history
I carving out me own identity
Understanding “Checking Out Me History”: A Journey Through Untold Stories
History is not merely a collection of facts, but a powerful narrative that shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves. John Agard’s compelling poem, “Checking Out Me History,” published in 2003, masterfully challenges the traditional, often Eurocentric, historical accounts presented in education. It is a vibrant call to reclaim and celebrate the rich, diverse histories that have been systematically overlooked or suppressed. This comprehensive Checking Out Me History summary and analysis delves into the poem’s core message, its central ideas, and the profound impact it has on our perception of identity.
The Heart of the Poem: Summary and Central Idea
At its core, “Checking Out Me History” is a powerful exploration of identity and the crucial role history plays in its formation. The poem opens with the insistent, almost accusatory refrain, “Dem tell me / Dem tell me / Wha dem want to tell me,” immediately establishing a sense of imposed knowledge. The speaker recounts being taught a version of history heavily focused on British and European figures and events, such as “1066 and all dat” and “Dick Whittington and he cat.” This selective education, the speaker asserts, has served to “Bandage up me eye with me own history / Blind me to my own identity.”
The central idea of the poem is the speaker’s journey of awakening and self-discovery. Frustrated by the omissions, the speaker begins to “check out me own history,” actively seeking out the stories of significant Black historical figures who were deliberately excluded from mainstream narratives. Agard juxtaposes the often trivialized or romanticized figures of British folklore with the monumental achievements of Caribbean and African heroes like Toussaint L’Ouverture, Nanny de Maroon, Shaka Zulu, and Mary Seacole. These figures, presented with vivid, empowering descriptions, represent a rich heritage denied to the speaker.
The poem culminates in a declaration of empowerment and self-affirmation. Having uncovered these vital connections to a suppressed past, the speaker triumphantly declares, “But now I checking out me own history / I carving out me own identity.” This final statement underscores the poem’s central message: true identity is forged through a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of one’s heritage, free from the biases of dominant narratives. It is a powerful testament to the importance of historical reclamation for personal and cultural liberation.
Key Themes Explored
John Agard weaves several profound themes throughout “Checking Out Me History,” inviting readers to critically examine the narratives they have been taught.
- Identity and Self-Discovery: The poem vividly portrays the speaker’s struggle to understand their own identity when their ancestral history is deliberately obscured. The journey from being “blind” to “carving out me own identity” highlights the transformative power of historical knowledge in shaping self-perception.
- Colonialism and Eurocentrism: Agard directly critiques the legacy of colonialism, where the history of the colonizer is prioritized and the histories of the colonized are marginalized or erased. The poem exposes how a Eurocentric curriculum serves to maintain power structures and diminish the cultural heritage of non-European peoples.
- The Power of History and Narrative: The poem emphasizes that history is not neutral. It is a narrative constructed by those in power, capable of shaping perceptions, controlling identities, and perpetuating inequalities. By highlighting what is told and what is omitted, Agard reveals history as a tool of both oppression and liberation.
- Resistance and Empowerment: The speaker’s active “checking out” of their own history is an act of resistance against imposed narratives. This act of reclaiming knowledge becomes a source of empowerment, allowing the speaker to forge a new, authentic identity rooted in a rich and diverse heritage.
Unpacking the Language: Literary Devices in “Checking Out Me History”
John Agard’s poetic brilliance shines through his masterful use of literary devices in Checking Out Me History. These techniques not only enrich the poem’s meaning but also amplify its powerful message, making it resonate deeply with readers.
Allusion: Weaving Histories Together
Allusion, a reference to a person, place, event, or literary work, is a cornerstone of this poem. Agard uses it to highlight the stark contrast between the history that is taught and the history that is ignored. The “Dem tell me” sections are replete with allusions to familiar European history and folklore:
Dem tell me bout 1066 and all dat
dem tell me bout Dick Whittington and he cat
These references to William the Conqueror’s invasion and a popular English folktale are immediately recognizable to many. However, Agard then powerfully juxtaposes these with the untold stories of Black heroes, creating a sense of profound omission:
But Touissant L’Ouverture
no dem never tell me bout dat
The poem continues this pattern, contrasting “Lord Nelson and Waterloo” with “Shaka de great Zulu,” and “Columbus and 1492” with the forgotten “Caribs and de Arawaks too.” These allusions serve to expose the bias in historical education and underscore the speaker’s urgent need to learn about their true heritage.
Imagery: Painting Pictures with Words
Agard employs vivid imagery to create powerful mental pictures that convey the poem’s central themes. The opening stanzas use striking visual metaphors to describe the impact of a limited historical education:
Bandage up me eye with me own history
Blind me to my own identity
This imagery of a “bandage” over the eye powerfully symbolizes the deliberate obscuring of truth and the resulting inability to see one’s true self. Conversely, when describing the rediscovered heroes, the imagery becomes vibrant and empowering. Nanny de Maroon is depicted as a “see-far woman / of mountain dream / fire-woman struggle / hopeful stream / to freedom river,” evoking strength, vision, and the relentless pursuit of liberty. Mary Seacole is portrayed as “a healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise / to the dying,” painting a picture of warmth, hope, and vital care amidst suffering.
Symbolism: Deeper Meanings
Beyond direct imagery, Agard uses symbolism to imbue certain elements with deeper meaning. The “bandage” and the “eye” are potent symbols. The “bandage” represents the deliberate concealment and distortion of history, while the “eye” symbolizes perception, understanding, and identity. The act of removing the bandage and “checking out me own history” symbolizes the speaker’s awakening and the reclamation of their true self.
Furthermore, the contrasting historical figures themselves become symbolic. The European figures often represent a dominant, colonial narrative, while the Black heroes symbolize resistance, resilience, and the rich, often suppressed, heritage of African and Caribbean peoples. The “history” itself, as presented by “Dem,” symbolizes a tool of control and identity suppression, while the “own history” the speaker seeks symbolizes liberation and self-definition.
Personification: Bringing Concepts to Life
Personification, the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, adds a touch of playful irony to the poem’s critique of trivialized history. When recounting the stories “Dem tell me,” Agard includes a whimsical nursery rhyme reference:
Dem tell me bout de dish run away with de spoon
This personification of the dish and spoon, while seemingly innocent, serves to highlight the frivolous nature of some of the stories taught, especially when contrasted with the profound historical significance of figures like Nanny de Maroon, who is introduced immediately after this line. It subtly underscores the absurdity of prioritizing such tales over vital historical truths.
The Rhythmic Pulse: Poetic Devices in “Checking Out Me History”
The sound and structure of “Checking Out Me History” are as vital as its content. John Agard’s masterful use of poetic devices in Checking Out Me History creates a unique voice and rhythm that powerfully conveys the poem’s message of cultural reclamation and identity.
Diction: A Voice of Resistance
Agard’s most striking poetic choice is his distinctive diction, a deliberate blend of Standard English and Caribbean Creole. This linguistic fusion is central to the poem’s theme of identity. Phrases like “Dem tell me,” “wha dem want to tell me,” “bout dat,” “me own history,” and “lick back” are characteristic of Creole vernacular. This choice is not merely stylistic; it is an act of cultural assertion. By writing in a language that reflects his heritage, Agard challenges the dominance of Standard English, which is often associated with the very Eurocentric history he critiques. The language itself becomes a symbol of resistance and a celebration of a distinct cultural identity, allowing the speaker to express their authentic voice.
Repetition and Refrain: The Echo of Imposition and Empowerment
Repetition is a fundamental device in “Checking Out Me History,” creating a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality that underscores the poem’s oral tradition. The most prominent example is the recurring refrain:
Dem tell me
Dem tell me wha dem want to tell me
This repetition initially emphasizes the relentless, imposed nature of the dominant historical narrative. It creates a sense of frustration and a feeling of being force-fed information. However, by the poem’s conclusion, the refrain transforms, incorporating the speaker’s agency:
Dem tell me
Dem tell me wha dem want to tell me
But now I checking out me own history
I carving out me own identity
Here, the repetition highlights the speaker’s newfound power to challenge and redefine their historical understanding. Additionally, the repetition of the names of the Black heroes, such as “Toussaint” and “Nanny,” serves to engrave their importance in the reader’s mind, elevating them from forgotten figures to celebrated icons.
Rhythm and Orality: The Sound of Storytelling
The poem’s rhythm is largely free verse, yet it possesses a strong, driving pulse that mimics natural speech and oral storytelling traditions. The absence of traditional punctuation, such as commas and periods, contributes to this fluid, continuous flow, encouraging the reader to read the poem aloud. The short, impactful lines, particularly in the descriptions of the Black heroes, create a rapid, almost breathless pace, conveying excitement and urgency:
Toussaint
a slave
with vision
lick back
Napoleon
battalion
This rhythmic structure, combined with the Creole diction, gives the poem a powerful, spoken-word quality, making it highly engaging and memorable.
Structure: Shaping the Narrative
Agard employs a free verse structure with stanzas of varying lengths, reflecting the unconventional nature of the history being presented. The poem opens with a tercet, a three-lined stanza, immediately setting a concise and direct tone. Subsequent stanzas vary, with some being quatrains (four lines) and others extending to longer forms when describing the heroic figures. This flexible structure allows Agard to control the pace and emphasis, dedicating more space and detail to the stories that have been historically suppressed. The lack of a rigid rhyme scheme or meter further reinforces the idea of breaking free from conventional, imposed structures, mirroring the speaker’s liberation from conventional history. However, occasional end rhymes, such as “dat/cat” and “moon/spoon,” provide moments of musicality and reinforce the oral quality of the poem.
Conclusion: Carving Out Identity
John Agard’s “Checking Out Me History” stands as a vital and enduring poem, a powerful testament to the importance of diverse historical narratives in shaping individual and collective identity. Through its vibrant language, compelling rhythm, and astute use of literary and poetic devices, the poem not only critiques the biases of traditional education but also champions the empowering act of historical reclamation. It reminds us that history is not a static, singular account, but a dynamic, multifaceted tapestry woven from countless stories. By actively “checking out” and “carving out” our own understanding of the past, we gain the profound ability to define who we are and who we aspire to be. This poem serves as an essential guide for anyone seeking a deeper, more inclusive understanding of history and its undeniable link to identity.