Frustration and Guilt
The theme of frustration and guilt is expressed through the speaker. This speaker is frustrated because her mother isn’t willing to change the news channel displaying the same story. The story being aired on television makes the narrator feel guilt. The narrator’s father is sick and he feels guilty because they can’t cure him and also can’t touch him without wearing a mask and washing their hands. The protests against violence meted out against black people create frustrations and guilt simultaneously.
Identity and Belonging
The theme of identity and belonging is presented through the narrator who seems to have not developed a positive sense of who he is. The speaker feels not respected and valued as part of a family and community. At home, her mother doesn’t want to change the news channel and his brother is busy playing games. Police are brutalizing people of color. Therefore, he doesn’t feel a sense of identity and belonging.
Police Brutality
The intense nationwide protests displayed on television have been prompted by police brutality against people of color. Police officers seem to be biased against black people. The captivating collages signifying violence committed by law enforcement officers are laid bare in the whole poem.
Optimism and Buoyance
The last part of the poem inspires readers to stay optimistic and buoyant irrespective of challenges. The day-to-day challenges should strengthen people to fight for a better tomorrow. Actually, people should be motivated by difficult situations rather than giving up and quitting the fight for a brighter future. The shift of palette from dull to bright metaphorically inspires people to persevere amidst difficulties.
Visual Communication
The entire poem uses visual elements to communicate ideas. Here, artwork signifies the brutality subjected to people of color amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The author colludes with the artist to pass the information in a way the readers will comprehend the impact of the message delivered. The shift of the palette from dull to bright signifies hope and optimism.
