Null - a slam poem on identity crisis скачать в хорошем качестве

Null - a slam poem on identity crisis

The poem: ‘Null’ – Jasmine Flower (2014) I must've been mixed in the wrong laundry basket, because they tell me I'm white-washed. Born with foreign looks but a native tongue my birth certificate calls me chink I would be the blonde-hair-blue-eyes of a country on the other side of the world but here, I'm still considered an immigrant in my own home. When you are Asian-American, you are also the stereotypes that trail your title. You are sushi You are jackie-chan You are karate You are good grades You are the slant-eyed pignose supporting character WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE, HOME OF THE BRAVE WHERE UNITED IS TRANSLATED AS DISCRIMINATED! BUT DON'T GET IT TWISTED, ASIANS ARE PRETTY COOL! Excuse me straight misogynist white male, your Godzilla type of Asian, or my culture? When have I as an individual played a character in these quote on quote American movies? Hmm oh yeah, that's right! I was in Fast and Furious! Didn't I also make an appearance in Harry Potter as the cute innocent Cho Chang? If this is the case can I please have your autograph because I'm pretty sure I've seen you star in every movie I've ever seen. Or at least your people, right? Don't try to tone down the damage I already know I'm categorized in this Asian fetish that all you'll ever see in me is rice and anime, nothing more, nothing less. And if I were to become an author instead of a doctor, I'd be considered as a social unnorm a disgrace but isn't it already disgraceful that in this bleached-colored world I have lost touch of my heritage, my roots replaced with a skeleton idea of who I'm supposed to be I wear a mask. My friends speak to my mom in their native language. Sitting there, disoriented, lost in pronunciation I ask my mother why she did not teach me her natural tongue. She says, "because you are American." And I still do not believe her. Analysis by Larisa Jacono: ‘Null’ by Jasmine Flower expresses ideas on Asian identity and loss of culture, from the point of view of an Asian American. The poem demonstrates the key concerns of discrimination and the need to fit into western culture in the 21st century, revealing the challenge of being not too ‘stereotypical’ but also not too ‘white-washed’. It perfectly portrays the issue of being an “in-betweener”- partly Asian, partly American, not whole of anything. The author criticises society and blames America for trying to categorise her into a closed fixed box. The poem was published in 2014, and thus is still accurate and relevant today. It is written in a way that feels relatable, especially people of Asian descent living in a western country. By including the word ‘chink’ in the first stanza, we can understand the associated feeling of shame that comes with being born Asian, as well as the exclusion the author feels living in American society, through the quote, “I'm still considered an immigrant in my own home.” This highlights the ongoing issue of subtle racism, and how people are still being marginalised today. The poem conveys feelings of anger through the use of repetition and capitalisation. The repetition of “You are…” helps build up feelings of rage, and in my opinion, also suggests to slightly speed up when performing. The rhythm during these several lines mimics a pounding thud that represents the endless stereotypes associated with being Asian. The capitalisation of “WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…” indicating this section of the stanza should be the climax of the poem, and thus should be read louder and more expressively. These two poetic devices work together to convey a tone of annoyance and acrimony. The use of italics in “Excuse me straight misogynist white male, your Godzilla type of Asian, or my culture?” indicates this line is meant to be read sarcastically, as if it was spoken directly to the specific person. It highlights the idea of the most privileged ‘ideal’ person having these dispositions, and criticises this privilege. The final stanza expresses the sadness and almost shock the author feels about being “white-washed”. The quote, “I have lost touch of my heritage… I wear a mask.” emphasises on the loss of culture and Asian identity the author feels. The dialogue from her mother, “because you are American,” suggests she is detached from her heritage – both Asian and American. The last line, “And I still do not believe her.” shows how the author does not feel as though she belongs anywhere– she does not believe she is American, but also cannot identify with her Asian ethnicity. ‘Null’ by Jasmine Flower clearly demonstrates the literary concept and cultural theory of Hybridity, where immigrants and Indigenous people are stuck between two worlds and struggle with understanding who they are and where they fit in.