The Footprints Of A Stolen Tongue Figurative Language

To humans, a sense of belonging is often foreign when living in a world of European dominance. Throughout history, several nations have had to abide by the cultures and customs of those who hold the greatest degree of power, influence, and authority. Subsequently, societies are forced to comply with “standard” practices to avoid being classified as misfits. However, in the ongoing struggle to fit into ideal “western” values, numerous communities have lost their ethnic identities along the way. Therefore, in the spoken word poem, “The Footprints of a Stolen Tongue,” Randell Adjei makes use of figurative language and rhetorical devices to demonstrate that the oppressive effects of Eurocentrism forces individuals within the Black community to

By the use of alliteration, Adjei discusses the Black community’s loss of culture due to the oppression embarked by dominant groups. The poet attempts to bring awareness regarding the inferiority that exists between European societies and racialized minorities. In the spoken word piece, it is stated that society must “go figure, that the finger on the trigger is another brother brushed off from the canvas of the bigger picture” (2). The recurring letter in Adjei’s statement allows the reader to sense the emphasis put upon the elimination of cultural identity. Thus, “the finger on the trigger” represents the demanding nature of Western culture, and how it oppresses Black individuals by targeting and forcing them to adopt Eurocentric norms. Consequently, Adjei communicates that once a “brother” is consumed by Westernism they are automatically dismantled or “brushed off” from being able to express and continue their ancestral legacy. As a result, of the consumption of Eurocentrism Black people’s identities are being obliterated. Therefore, accepting such practices limits one’s ability to maintain their ancestral roots and in turn, experience a loss of cultural identity as a whole. Furthermore, the use of repetition highlights the confinement of one’s ethnic background as a result of a lack of freedom when belonging within a marginalized community. Adjei strongly recognizes the continued oppression Black minorities endure “because our ancestors never fought to become free Blacks, they simply fought to be free” (2). The repetition of the word “free” indicates that racialized individuals have been and continue to be stigmatized throughout history since their ancestors were never able to escape marginalization. Subsequently, their ancestors’ sole purpose to become “free” from enslavement did not benefit future generations as