Identity Unit 1 (Mr. Z)

"Mr. Z"
M. Carl Holman

A major theme in this poem is overcoming racial adversity.  Mr. Z was "Taught early that his mother's skin was the sign of error" (Holman). This quote expresses two important points. First, this quote allows for interpretation of Mr. Z's race. Because the quote only mentions his mother's skin color, the reader could guess that Mr. Z is biracial. Second, the quote above sets the tone for the rest of Mr. Z's life to be narrated in this brief poem. Mr. Z worked his entire life to escape from and overcome the racial tension and discrimination that he faced. He was well educated and well known. "And so he climbed, unclogged by ethnic weights, an airborne plant, flourishing without roots"(Holman). This quote seems to be paradoxical. Plants cannot flourish without roots, yet Holman uses words like climb and flourish, which make this quote sound positive. Even though Mr. Z could soar above members of his race, he still could not truly soar due to discrimination. He was considered "One of the most distinguished members of his race" (Holman). This quote serves to display his inability to truly flourish. By placing him in a class with just his race, people inhibited Mr. Z from gaining the recognition he deserved.  Had discrimination not been a factor, Mr. Z would have been considered 'one of the most distinguished humans'. Mr. Z worked throughout his life to overcome adversity, but even after his death, people still discounted his abilities.