Appreciation - “Aunties”
In “Aunties” Kevin Young pays homage to his aunties. Kevin Young writes, “Aunts cook like/there’s no tomorrow/ & they’re right” Young appreciates his aunts’ cooking prowess. Young references his aunties - Auntie Tuddie, and Aunt Toota - in his poem to applaud them for being worthy aunties. Young’s connection with his aunties was reinforced by how they nourished him with scrumptious foods.
Consumerism - “Bling Bling Blues”
The speaker partakes consumerism by paying for ‘diamond shoes,’ ‘Platinum teeth,’ ‘golden car seats’, and a “gold plated house.” The speaker’s consumerist propensities indicate that he is an affluent person who has a lofty proclivity for ‘bling bling’. The principal upshot of the consumerist consumption is ‘blues.’
Stereotypes - “Negative”
The poem “Negative” covertly remarks stereotypes relating to blacks. First, the speaker sees “white maids on Tv” ; this observation proposes that the occupation of maids is for black people. Second, the speaker observes, “ the radio stolen by black hands”; this observation construes that blacks are thieves. These furtive stereotypes accentuate the outlook of black inferiority.
