Graduation By Koleka Putuma
The title of the poem is "Graduation" when looking at the word the first meaning that comes to mind would be 'coming of age' or possibly the end of a chapter.
The poem first speaks about one leaving the safety of their home and parents. The idea that they will be pushed into life and encouraged to step forward. Similarly, the poem speaks up abut how each culture and generation contributes towards ones voice becoming valued and heard. The idea that you need to be earning money and have a good job position in order to be recognized as successful, not only with family but within society as well.
Graduating will present one with the opportunity to grow a new identity, and leave the childish persona behind. However, emphasizing that even though you are leaving your parents nest, everything your parents, your family and culture has taught you is what ultimately what will shape the person you grow into. Each culture is different and each set of morals and traditions is what makes society so incredibly diverse. One could even argue that could be a single reason in multiple for the wars and frustrations among many worlds. The lack of trust, the lack of understanding and the lack of tolerance.
Similarly, the capitalist system is something that proceeds to mould occupational ideologies. Be a lawyer, be a doctor, be something that makes money. That is all that seems to be appreciated in society these days. No acknowledgment of happiness or work for a sense of self-recognition or creative significance.
The poem reiterates this word through many lines. The world is ironic next to the title it would seem as one would first associate the title with school or university, some form of academic ending or success. Yet one could argue how is it that for so many years the capitalist system forces millions upon millions of students to flow through the education system, learning the same things over and over again. The irony is that the school system hammers ideologies and beliefs into ignorant students daily academic activities, some which are very wrong, yet once they graduate they need to "unlearn" it all again.
Students needs to realize that the capitalist system is not all that, the education system is not always right and society needs to be challenged. For instance, ideologies and beliefs that have been taught and ingrained need to be spoken about, right to the core. Putuma mentions this in the poem, she states how issues often resemble onions. They make you cry and feel vulnerable, peeling one layer back at a time. Issue by issue, yet when asked what the matter is, no one speaks up, no one tells the brutal and challenging truth that ultimately, it is serious issues of race, gender, capitalism, war and hatred making one cry, rather society brushes it under the carpet and pretends that the acidic fumes of a simple inion is the reason for ones tears.
The poem first speaks about one leaving the safety of their home and parents. The idea that they will be pushed into life and encouraged to step forward. Similarly, the poem speaks up abut how each culture and generation contributes towards ones voice becoming valued and heard. The idea that you need to be earning money and have a good job position in order to be recognized as successful, not only with family but within society as well.
Graduating will present one with the opportunity to grow a new identity, and leave the childish persona behind. However, emphasizing that even though you are leaving your parents nest, everything your parents, your family and culture has taught you is what ultimately what will shape the person you grow into. Each culture is different and each set of morals and traditions is what makes society so incredibly diverse. One could even argue that could be a single reason in multiple for the wars and frustrations among many worlds. The lack of trust, the lack of understanding and the lack of tolerance.
Similarly, the capitalist system is something that proceeds to mould occupational ideologies. Be a lawyer, be a doctor, be something that makes money. That is all that seems to be appreciated in society these days. No acknowledgment of happiness or work for a sense of self-recognition or creative significance.
Unlearning
The poem reiterates this word through many lines. The world is ironic next to the title it would seem as one would first associate the title with school or university, some form of academic ending or success. Yet one could argue how is it that for so many years the capitalist system forces millions upon millions of students to flow through the education system, learning the same things over and over again. The irony is that the school system hammers ideologies and beliefs into ignorant students daily academic activities, some which are very wrong, yet once they graduate they need to "unlearn" it all again.
Students needs to realize that the capitalist system is not all that, the education system is not always right and society needs to be challenged. For instance, ideologies and beliefs that have been taught and ingrained need to be spoken about, right to the core. Putuma mentions this in the poem, she states how issues often resemble onions. They make you cry and feel vulnerable, peeling one layer back at a time. Issue by issue, yet when asked what the matter is, no one speaks up, no one tells the brutal and challenging truth that ultimately, it is serious issues of race, gender, capitalism, war and hatred making one cry, rather society brushes it under the carpet and pretends that the acidic fumes of a simple inion is the reason for ones tears.
Reversing
The poem also talks about weddings and 21st birthdays, funerals and births. The idea that life is continuously flowing in a circular motion, one that brings new and ends old. The idea that when you grow up and are pushed out of the family nest your life is starting, however also coming to an end. The image of parents, children, cousins and grandparents is used throughout, reiterating this point of reversal. The poem ends off by mentioning that the time gap will soon bridge and you will become the oldest of the family tribe, the one to call the shots and baby your parents, look after them as they once took care of you.
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