No Problem- by Benjamin Zephaniah

Question 1

No Problem:
Who is this poem by?

Answer 1

Benjamin Zephaniah

Question 2

No Problem:
What is the meaning of this poem?

Answer 2

-Protesting against racial stereotyping he and others have faced. Enforces that the problem is with prejudiced individuals.

Question 3

No Problem:
“Now I am branded athletic”
What is some analysis of this quote.

Answer 3

-The speaker discusses how he is labelled by his teachers as athletic, not academic, conforming to racist stereotypes that black people are naturally musical, rhythmic and athletic. The speaker argues he has been pigeonholed according to these stereotypes and that his true potential has consequently been overlooked.

Question 4

No Problem:
“I am not de problem”
What is some analysis of this quote.

Answer 4

-Defiant tone of Refrain in colloquial dialect introduces indentity.
-Highlights key message that the racist is the problem, not the prejudiced.

Question 5

No Problem:
“Sum of me best friends are white”
What is some analysis of this quote.

Answer 5

-Ends on a humorous and sarcastic tone, pun on the problematic statement “I’m not racist - I have black friends”. The fact that the speaker is able to end the poem humorously - when the experiences he references are dark and heavy and may do lasting damage to him.