Analyzing Lionel Fogarty's Poem Talkin 'Teens'

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Welcome back Australia to episode 6 of everyone’s famous segment “Talkin’ Teens”, I’m Flyn O’Toole, and today we will discuss the contentious topic of poetry’s pertinence to the 21st-century teenage audience.

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Poetry is one of the oldest forms of entertainment and scholarly literature. Like many other forms of dramatic literature, poetry is regularly used to convey an idea, tell a story, re-enact life experiences, or express one’s feeling’s, whether political, religious or emotionally. Lionel Fogarty, an esteemed Aboriginal poet and political activist, has cited poetry to express his cultural and political views. Since the 1970’s, Fogarty has been active in numerous diplomatic matters involving Indigenous Australian

Throughout the poem he not only references his brother’s treatment at the hands of white policemen, he also sheds light on the fact that many Aboriginal families face this problem. Hence providing a united front to combat this racial situation and progress towards the end goal of equality.

Without consistent stanza’s, it is almost as if Fogarty expressing his thoughts aggressively like he is vociferating his viewpoint as if it is undoubtedly correct with no room to contend. He narrates the story in a relatable manner for young teens as many Aboriginal teens possibly would express language of hatred and distraught towards the individuals inflicting these possible emotions.

Hence the topic Fogarty discusses in the poem “For I Come – Death in Custody” although very relevant to teens, more specifically aboriginal teens, the format used (poetry), is the least applicable presentation to have a long-lasting effect on Aboriginal teens to aid in the progression towards racial

Throughout the poem, he expresses angst towards the white population and conveys a sense of inequity against the Indigenous population. It is still a significant issue within Australia as the incarceration rate of young Aboriginal’s is snowballing, with 24% of all Torres Strait and Aboriginal prisoners being under the age of 24 (Abs.gov.au, 2018).

This issue is very relevant to the broader Aboriginal teenage audience as practically all Aboriginal teens would have been confronted with a family member or friend being imprisoned.

The figurative language in this piece is both brutal and vivid, using his point of view to display his arcane thoughts on white supremacy and police brutality. If these ideals were to be conveyed by Fogarty in the form of a novel, short film, documentary or through television, this message would have a far greater, and long-lasting effect on Aboriginal youth, as many teens don’t have the literacy tools or enterprise to decipher the sometimes hidden messages within poetry.

If poetry were to be taught more in rural curriculums, where this violence and supremacy is more active, the mental influence would be far more sustained and efficiently used to better and progress