Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Ism" by Wanda Coleman is a poignant reflection on the pervasive nature of systemic discrimination and its profound impact on daily life. Through a series of vivid images and scenarios, Coleman captures the relentless presence of prejudice, whether based on race, gender, class, or other forms of social identity, that shapes experiences and interactions in the public and private spheres. The poem’s strength lies in its ability to articulate the constant, often exhausting reality of confronting and navigating these societal structures.

From the outset, the speaker's fatigue ("tired") sets the tone for a discourse on the weariness that comes from the continuous awareness and adaptation required to live under the weight of systemic discrimination. This fatigue is not just physical but deeply emotional and psychological, stemming from the relentless need to be on guard and the frustration of being defined and confined by external perceptions and biases.

The poem skillfully depicts how discrimination is not confined to overt acts of hostility or injustice but is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It is "in the air," suggesting its intangible yet suffocating presence, and "lives next door to me in stares of neighbors," pointing to the personal and localized nature of these experiences. The mention of the office, the radio, the car, and supermarket aisles illustrates how pervasive and inescapable this "ism" is, affecting every aspect of the speaker's daily routine and interactions.

Coleman's reference to the "ism" being "on television / and in the streets" underscores the media's role in perpetuating stereotypes and biases, as well as the public domain's role as a space where discriminatory practices and attitudes are played out. The casual walk "undefined" yet interrupted by "flashing lights" evokes the sense of being constantly surveilled and judged, a reminder of the external forces that seek to define and limit based on identity.

Perhaps most powerfully, the poem speaks to the internalization of this discrimination, as it finds its way "in my mouth / when i would speak of other things." This line highlights the way systemic biases can seep into one's self-expression and consciousness, influencing not only how individuals are seen by the world but also how they see themselves and articulate their experiences.

"The Ism" is a concise yet powerful exploration of the omnipresence of systemic discrimination and its impact on the individual psyche and daily life. Coleman's ability to weave together personal experience with broader societal critique invites reflection on the ways in which discrimination is embedded in the structures and routines of everyday life, calling for awareness and action to address and dismantle these pervasive systems of inequality. Through her vivid and relatable imagery, Coleman offers a testament to the resilience required to navigate and resist the constraints imposed by "the ism," while also mourning the toll it takes on those it affects.

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