By Paige Barrett
After reading deep into Countee Cullen's " Heritage", I was challenged with the question of " What is Africa to Me?". Now in Modern America some African Americans may think their African heritage died along with slavery. That our African heritage is barried six feet below with our ancestors. However, after reading this poem I've discovered that my statement is completely false. What related to me the most within this masterpiece was when the poet wrote, "So I lie, who find no peace Night or day, no slight release From the unremittent beat Made by cruel padded feet Walking through my body's street. Up and down they go, and back, (Cullen stanza 4)". As somebody who comes from a musical family its already hard to deny movement when a beat plays. Some may say it's an instinct. When I do listen to particular songs and let myself dance, I notice how some of my moves are based in Africa! From the way I bob my head to the way my hips may sway, or even my feet hitting every beat. It's an immediate control music has over me. In a sense, though Africa physically maybe thousands of kilometers away, it is my identity. to simply it even more, if I remove the music, fashion sense, materialistic things, and the American slave trade where would I be? Let me take a large guess. Probably back in a beautiful country somewhere in Africa. It's almost impossible for me as an African American young woman to remove or detach Africa from me.
I like how you portrayed what Africa meant to you by bringing music into the picture. Like you, when I hear music, I instantly bob my head and move my feet. I never thought about it relating to our ancestors from Africa but since you mentioned it, it does probably stem from our roots. Africans love the beat of the drums and the sound of music and singing. I hope you explore this more in your future blogs.
Hi Paige,
I like how you broke down a line in the poem with a beat in your head. It allowed you to get a better understanding of the poem. And I too thought the poem was talking about slavery but you can look at it in many different directions
Hey Paige, I love how you connected your personal family and life to the cultural of music in African heritage
Hello Paige, I really appreciated your view on what Africa is to you. I can't wait to read and see more blog posts made by you as we continue the rest of this semester.
I love that you took a new approach from blogs I've read. Africa really is in our roots and who individuals are as a people. It was a good read and interesting take. I believe music is universal so often there are a variety of African sounds and beats that flow from others or are the basis for another. Thank you for enlightening me with such a new spin.