Claudia Rankine's Citizen: An American Lyric

Claudia Rankine’s book, Citizen: An American Lyric, touches on current and past issues in the world today. One of the topics she discusses is discrimination. The book is different from other books that are introduced in schools such as, To Kill A Mockingbird and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Rankine deals with being a citizen in a world where people are worried if they will make it home alive. A citizen is one who is a member of a state or country. The title, Citizen: An American Lyric” really defines the book because it talks about life from the viewpoint of several citizens and their lyrics are their life story. Rankine uses this particular title because she explains situations that citizens go through whether or not they’re upper, middle …show more content…
(52)” The poem is unique because it is written as if someone spray painted it on a wall. Hence, the term “ I feel most colored when I am thrown against a sharp white background.” The poem is in black letters and is thrown against a sharp white background to show how blacks feel. Claudia Rankine then repeats the phrase until the end of the poem. African-Americans feel the hurt, the anger, and receive bad treatment because of the color of their skin. Any other time when they are talking among their family or friends then they are in their element. However, when one is accused of stealing or a term that is used sometimes, “driving while black.” The poem speaks on some many levels for those who cannot seem to figure out that being black is a crime. Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old Bay resident, was on his way to celebrate New Year’s with his friends. Grant, along with his friends were asked to exit a train by two police officers. One of the officers slammed Oscar on the ground and reached for his taser. Instead of his taser, the officer grabbed his gun. He was shot in cold blood and died. African-Americans feel colored only when they are held against a white