Challenge Post #2

To: Mikayla Beaudrie
From: Alexis Gray
Date: November 16, 2014
Re: Challenge Post #2: Flight to Canada

Dear Mikayla,

      After long consideration, I have decided to switch my topic of interest for my challenge posts from SW 34th Street's "Graffiti Wall" in Gainesville to the short poem "Flight to Canada". I made this decision based on my person strengths as a writer; the analyzation of poetry comes more naturally to me. As a result, I am evaluating Ishmael Reed's poem for content, style, and the linkage between the piece of prose and hip-hop.

     A basic summary of the poem:
 Quickskill, former slave of Master Swille, writes about his escape from the plantation and the master's cruel inhumane treatment. The accepting nature of a black slave by  the citizens of Canada is juxtaposed with the oppression of African American's in the US, especially in the Southern states. Stanza four to nine describe Quickskill's last return to the plantation while the Master was away at a slave auction in Charleston. Although he already assumes one of the other slaves told the Master because it is not fair one escapes the thresholds of slavery. He continues to describe how he took money from his safe;initially, the reader may consider Quickskill as a thief but if you examine the poem more closely, he is taking his compensation for working as a slave on the plantation.

      I will be able to make a more in-depth analyzation in future check-in post about the challenge post. I gave a brief summary to let you know that my topic of choice has changed and I am more comfortable writing about the poem "Flight to Canada" by Ishmael Reed.

                        Sincerely,
                               Alexis Gray