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For this activity, you will need to turn to the poem 'Checking Out Me History' by John Agard, which can be found in your Anthology.

 

tropical island

 

'Checking Out Me History' looks at how identity is created through history. 

 

The poem gives examples of powerful black figures from history, often involved in conflict themselves (against the oppression they faced).


Noticeably, Agard emphasises how we often celebrate our national or cultural history, without looking at the history and culture of those we were in conflict with.

 

In the following questions, you will be asked about the key quotations of the poem.

You should always refer to your own text when working through these examples.  These quotations are for reference only.

10 questions
The quotations/text used in this exercise are from the copyrighted works of John Agard, 'Checking Out Me History'