Poem analysis: I am an African Child by Eku McGred
I am an African child
Born with a skin the color of chocolate
Bright, brilliant, and articulate
Strong and bold; I'm gifted
Talented enough to be the best
I am an African child.
Often the target of pity
My future is not confined to charity
Give me the gift of a lifetime;
Give me a dream, a door of opportunity;
I will thrive
I am an African child
Do not hide my fault
show me my wrong
I am like any other;
Teach me to dream
And I will become
I am an African child
I am the son, daughter of the soil
Rich in texture and content
Full of potential for a better tomorrow
Teach me discipline, teach me character, teach me hard work
Teach me to think like the star within me
I can be extra-ordinary
call me William Kamkwamba the Inventor;
Give me a library with books
Give me a scrap yard and discarded electronics
Give me a broken bicycle;
Plus the freedom to be me
And I will build you a windmill
I am an African child
We are the new generation
Not afraid to be us
Uniquely gifted, black and talented
Shining like the stars we are
We are the children of Africa
Making the best of us
Yes! I am an African child
About the Poem:
African Child is a poem that Eku McGred wrote. It is written from the point of view of the first person and aims to make an African child proud of his or her heritage. History has taught us how black people are viewed by the world. They were the target of slavery back then and, until now, they are still. The poem revolves around discrimination, equal opportunities, and the beauty of an African child.
About the Author:
Eku McGred is a talented singer, poet, and songwriter with more than 12 years of music ministry operation. He has worked with many churches, helping them train their singers and musicians and develop them. He is currently working in the local Redeemed Christian Church of God parish in the United Kingdom. His first novel,' Worship Through The Storm,' was written by McGred. His poem "I am an African Boy" spread across the Philippines and the USA and was recited as a learning instrument by children.
Analyzing the Poem:
FIRST STANZA. The poem's first stanza demonstrates how optimistic the African child is. Their physical appearance is representative of their pride. They are also proud of their skin colors and how beautiful and talented they are, they went on to clarify.
SECOND STANZA. The poem's second stanza explains how they are viewed by the world. They are often the target of discrimination, especially among white people, because of their skin and way of living. Despite this, though, they believe that they should not be subjected to sympathy and should obtain equal opportunities with other people instead. That way, they will demonstrate that they can flourish and succeed in achieving their dreams as well.
THIRD STANZA. As an individual, the third stanza demonstrates their desire to learn and develop. They want individuals to show them their errors, similar to other children so that they can do anything to change them. It shows here their willingness to learn.
FOURTH STANZA. They link themselves to the beauty of the world in the fourth stanza. This reflects their ability to learn and be disciplined. It also emphasizes the potential of an African child.
FIFTH STANZA. The fifth stanza talks about how imaginative and innovative they can be. It lists the potential things that can be achieved by them. It even stated the inventor, William Kamkwamba, who invented a windmill out of scraps and a broken bicycle to help their dry land.
SIXTH STANZA. The sixth and final stanza reveals how the hope of their country and the hope of this world can be. It also describes how gifted they are and how this new generation faces the world. The speaker is, after all, an African child.
SOURCES:
https://philnews.ph/2019/07/04/eku-mcgred-i-am-an-african-child/
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