Where You're From...

Felicia Madlock wrote the poem “Where I’m From.”  She writes about the events over time that have helped shaped who she is today.  These are events that she has lived through and witnessed.  Madlock focuses on the struggle of racial equality and the triumphs that her and fellow African Americans have achieved in reaching equality.

Madlock speaks about the importance of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

She says: “I am From/ Malcolm X Memories and Martin Luther King’s dreams”

The fact that she has lived through these powerful African American civil right leaders shows the reader she has been a part of the civil rights movement.

Madlock uses many powerful references to describe her upbringing.  

Madlock reflects, “I am from the hope that crept north in the darkness/ Dodging demons on their quest for freedom”

We thought this was a very powerful quote she used to describe her ancestors trying to move north in hopes of escaping slavery.  They had to avoid being spotted by “demons” that would send them back to the treacherous farmland of the south they forcefully worked on.  These events helped form the base that Madlock was raised on, as these were events that generations before her encountered and shared with her.

She relates to the common reader by stating “For I, too, am American.” But then she goes on the next line and says “And life for me hasn’t been no crystal stairs.” Here she is saying that she is indeed an American, but has had to overcome many adversities to be considered one.  This shows the strength of the African American community, which is the base at which Madlock’s morals and culture come from.

Madlock goes on to name a number of events and people who transpired throughout history in her lifetime.  These range from Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye to Jane Bryne.  The mentioning of Jane Bryne is one that Felicia Madlock can relate very closely to.  Jane Bryne served as mayor of Chicago from 1979-1983.  She was and currently still is the first and only female to serve as mayor of Chicago.  Harold Washington, who became the first African American major of Chicago, succeeded Bryne.  These are both significant events for Madlock because she is an African American woman, so she has seen both of the stereotypes she faces break the political border in her home city.

Madlock then goes on to say “I am from poetry/ My most pleasing pleasure.” Here Madlock is saying that poetry is indeed her pleasure and it is a big part of who she is today. Madlock ends her poem by leaving the reader with “I am from…”. This is a good way to end the poem because she leaves from for her to add more in the future as she will experience and witness new things that will continue shaping the person she is today.  Ending the poem like this shows that we all are continuously growing and taking part in events that will continue shaping us for the rest of our lives.

 

Felicia Madlock writes this poem to show where she is from.  She uses trials her ancestors faced, tribulations that she herself faced, and historical events that helped shape her ideas and identity.  As a person being born in the 1990’s, one of us writing a “Where I’m From” poem would be significantly different then Felicia Madlock’s.  We would include events like 9/11 and the election of our first African American President.  We would also include events that shaped our family and cultural past.  I would include mother’s immigration from Cuba and the trials my grandfather and family faced while trying to establish themselves in a new country.  I would include personal failures and accomplishments that have had a significant affect on my life.  But lastly, I would also end my poem with “I am from…” because in the scheme of life there are events in the future that will continue shaping the person we have become today and hopefully will make each of us stronger and more wise.