The passion of poems is often expressed through powerful diction. The richer the poem, the more easily can the reader can connect. The poem, Two Sets of Notes, written by M.K. Asante Jr., sends the powerful message that people of color should value their education. According to Asante's poem, the tragic reality of education is that it is disconnected from people. Asante makes his point by elaborating on education in the United States as designed, maintained, and controlled by a dominant group. Through figurative language, structure and sound, he sends a powerful message that people of color should demand that their history be included in the education system and that their voices should be heard. .
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Figurative language is any unusual language that gives fresh insight to a subject. Asante's perspective on education is strengthened through purpose, symbol and diction. The poem shows anyone of color should not be afraid to challenge the education process which too often comes from the perspective of the dominant white group: "They even try to get me to see- / Their point of view from a brother that looks like me, / but that brother don't- / walk like me / talk like me / or / act like me" (192). Ansante points out that even when the teacher is black, he or she usually teaches from the perspective of the dominant group and may not have the same experiecens as the students. Asante portrays that education curriculum is taught from the perspective of one racial group what they believe is ideal and relevant. The poem critiques the point of view that everyone should leave school thinking the same way: "Mastering their thoughts and forgetting our own." (192) The essence of this line is to show that education fails to value the variety of perspectives, which the students bring. Asante warns against trying to transform everyone into the same way of thinking, which is reflected upon the symbol of a mirro.
