Discussion

CRAZY COURAGE The dominant theme in this poem is courage. Nonconformist behavior or individualism is hard and takes a lot of courage. While Michael is viewed as mild mannered when in men’s clothes, he is also viewed as daringly courageous when he wears feminine attire. Even though the audience is shocked by his queer behavior, Michael is filled with pride because he openly expresses his unusual behavior to all. He knows his passions and knows what he likes to do. He is stronger than those who conform to others’ opinions and expectations of them. He therefore feels whole like a rose or a child.
. This poem clearly brings out the theme of courage well. Unlike his peers who strive to impress the visiting audience, Michael chooses to do what he perceives right in his eyes even though he knows the backlash he would receive from the society. Since beginning of time, those who act contrary to the norms of the society are the ones who make a difference on earth. Like a child, he is at peace with what he does and loves. Like a rose has both the male and female parts, he blends both masculinity and feminism.
CASUAL WEAR
Cultural conflict is the dominant theme in this poem. Different races and cultures are always in conflict with each other and in a bid to advance their ideologies or to prove their superiority over others; most conflicts end up in bloodsheds. In Casual Wear, a tourist woman falls victim to a vicious attack by the terrorist. While the odds are one to nine that she will be at the place of the attack, she ironically ends up there and is killed. The tourist may have come from a nation that was in conflict with the terrorist’s country. She wears extravagantly in a country that fashion is not taken seriously. Just like her clothes did not matter to the terrorist, so was her life.
The main cause of terrorism is cultural differences. Using force or violence to counter terrorism will only result to more violence. The best method to stop terrorism would be to accept other people’s cultural, ideological and religious beliefs. Stereotyping people will only lead to more resentment. For example, Muslims are portrayed as terrorists in most Hollywood films. This should be banned.
BALLAD OF BIRMINGHAM
Ballad of Birmingham is based on a real life bombing of an African-American church in 1963. The poem begins with a girl begging her mother to go to a freedom march, but her mother refuses. She however allows her to go to church where she believes is secure. Unfortunately, the church is attacked by arsons and the little girl dies. The message that is clear is that no place is safe from racial prejudice.
While racism may not be as open as it was few decades back, it still exists. African-Americans are still the most affected. It is easier for an African-American to be locked in jail for a petty crime that would otherwise be overlooked if it were committed by a person from another race. Most Black and Latin Americans are still living in abject poverty despite the fact that the president is black. The population of Blacks in America is barely 20% of the whole population; however they make up the largest portion of unemployed people. Most Black neighborhoods are still grappling with poverty, drugs and crime as the government turns a blind eye to this particular race.