The poems Welcome by Sandhu Binning and The First Day by Dandurand explore cultural identity and racial discrimination. Binning’s poem combines nature with the speaker, highlighting the social rejections experienced by Canadian immigrants. Dandurand’s poem My First Day reflects racism affecting an Indigenous child’s first day at school. Despite their divergent narratives, both poems highlight the importance of embracing cultural diversity and addressing prejudice experiences. Using figurative language and descriptive words highlights the complex relationship between cultural heritage and rejection. The paper focuses on the comparison of both poem’s themes and techniques.
Welcome by Sandhu Binning
Welcome is composed of landscape and society. The poem’s setting creates a peaceful landscape alongside the search for the speaker’s shelter, with the help of the nature around him. By expressing such a tone of reflection and indulgence into the thoughts and feelings of the speaker while being engaged in her torture of being an outcast, Binning encourages the readers to think about their inner world and the external ones. The poem’s voice is sometimes softened by the rhythm and nature of the verses, and the drama opens up with a spirit of calmness that struggles with adversity.
A juxtaposition is achieved as the speaker’s deep affinity with nature stands out in utter contrast to the social alienation they experience. With the lines “I often speak / to the grass / the trees / and the river / they never tell me / I was not welcome”, the poet brings into perspective a number of their closest relationship to nature, alluding to a sense of familiar belonging and comfort that they do not get in the societal world (human society). Moreover, Binning references the Komagata Maru incident, the great-grandson of a Komagata Maru passenger, the historical event symbolized prejudice against immigrants. The line “Why weren’t they consulted / when the decision was made” is aimed at highlighting the injustice against the marginalized communities, making past and present times comparable when the community fights with acceptance only.
Welcome is a poem by Binning that discusses the problems of marginalized persons and groups in society. Despite rejection and past wrongdoings, the speaker maintains a dignified tone and displays care for seeking refuge in nature. The poem’s narrative construction depends on bright imagery and thought-provoking observations, inviting readers to challenge injustices and accept human variety sympathetically.
The First Day by Joseph Dandurand
The First Day, by Joseph Dandurand, takes the reader into an emotional story which catches different aspects of the terrible apathy for the rights of Native Americans. In the media’s setting, at the backdrop of the school, the poem’s tone bears a sense of sheepishness and fearfulness as the metaphorical protagonist begins their school journey. The author, Dandurand, who managed to create an engaging story, forces the reader to have emotions of empathy and introspection, putting them into the shoes of the main character as s/he goes through the complexities involving racism and segregation.
The writer, Dandurand, convincingly shows the prejudice encountered by Indigenous youngsters in a world controlled by non-Indigenous peoples. The poem’s struggle with discrimination and prejudice is conveyed in the poem, with lines like “A group of boys decided / they did not like my brown skin”, stressing the diminishing sense of beauty and the impact of discrimination on the protagonist’s sense of belonging. Imagery reveals how Indigenous schools are characterized by unfair rules, which shows racism takes place.
This poem examines racism’s impact on indigenous culture through settler actions that exclude them. The protagonist’s perspective enlightens readers about colonization’s ongoing negative effects on the identity and values of native people. It focuses on cooperative initiatives aimed at changing society towards an inclusive and empathetic community.
Comparison of Themes and Techniques
The themes are different cultures and diversity in Welcome and The First Day. The poets show that being close to nature and accepting other cultures is crucial. Talking to grass, trees, and rivers makes them always feel greeted. Meanwhile, Dandurand explains how Indigenous children are discriminated against because of their heritage in a country where most people are not Indigenous. Hence, both poems indicate how vital it is to accept diverse societies and discuss racism’s influence on self-perception among Aboriginal children.
These two poets use vivid imagery and thought-provoking words in their compositions. Binning uses nature for relaxation and assertion. He also includes bad history, such as the Komagata Maru tragedy. This difference indicates the difficulties of cultural identity and the long-lasting effects of mistreatment on people’s lives. Conversely, Dandurand employs imagery to depict the racism faced by his protagonist. The line, “A group of boys decided / they did not like my brown skin”, shows how Indigenous kids deal with prejudiced and mean people. Both poets use thoughtful words and imagery to depict the struggles of marginalized groups.
Both poems are themes based on history and society. Welcome focuses on how immigrants were treated poorly in the past, especially in the Komagata Maru tragedy. It illustrates how people can be friendly and durable even during hard times. Similarly, The First Day highlights racism and the effects on Indigenous people affected by colonization. Binning and Dandurand argue that people need to understand how their writing is shaped by society and history. They believe it will help people learn about different cultures and history.
Conclusion
Welcome, and The First Day poems show elements of self-expression, survival skills and racial discrimination’s impact on people’s lives. Binning insists on individuals being optimistic despite social exclusion. An example is when he refers to the unfortunate event of Komagata Maru when speaking about historical mistakes. Joseph Dandurand focused on racism among indigenous teens because of colonization and discrimination that affect them continuously. Colonization and discrimination have made things worse for them. These poems stress that diverse cultures should be embraced to foster worldwide equality.
References
Binning S. (n.d.). Welcome [PDF].
Dandurand. (n.d.). The First Day [PDF].
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