Benjamin Zephaniah is a British Jamaican poet known for his dub poetry as well as his musical contributions denoting his heritage and Rastafarianism.
The key theme running throughout Zephaniah’s is of his hatred of British influence in the subjugation and oppression of other nations. He uses his poetry to convey his feelings of disgust and sadness at the violence of the British Empire on his ancestors. In the poem, “The Race Industry”, Zephaniah discusses the dehumanization of black people to keep money in the pockets of wealthy white men.
Zephaniah has also been vocal about the issues with the current British legal system. His anthology collection, Rasta Time in Palestine (1990), details an account of his experience in Palestinian-occupied territories. He is an avid supporter of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and has shared that his stance on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands is not dissimilar to the South African apartheid.
In the poem, “Vegan Stephen”, Zephaniah takes a comical tone to convey the seriousness of making decisions that influence the state of the world, such as being vegan.
"Dis Poetry" by Benjamin Zephaniah, celebrates the power and accessibility of poetry. The poem emphasizes that poetry is like a rhythm that engages the tongue and is meant to be vibrant and energetic, much like dancehall music. It rejects the idea of poetry being overly intellectual or exclusive, stating that it is for everyone.
The poet rejects the idea of using complicated language and opts for a simpler, more accessible style. The poem embraces a sense of playfulness and childlike wonder while acknowledging that it can be both wise and foolish. The poem also highlights that this poetry is not bound by political affiliations or the need for approval from critics. It is a personal expression that accompanies the poet in various aspects of life, from going to bed to riding a bike.
