When looking at the importance of identity in Checking out me history we must also consider Rumens’ The emigree. Both poems present their home as their identity as something something found and sometimes imprinted within them attacking political bias to hide the true importance of heritage and a true home

Firstly, Agard presents ideas of oppression through his identity expressing the idea that ‘I bandage my eye with me own history’ showing it heals him from the oppressive rule of the colonial powers.The metaphor directly attacks the education in the post colonial caribbean nations suggesting it harms rather than teaches. He uses the verb ‘bandage’ to show that his true identity both protects and nurtures him something that should be taught in the schools of his hometown reinforcing the ideas of ‘own’ showing it is who he is and the culture he possesses will not be taken and adds irony showing his identity is being used against him .The use of ‘eye’ symbolises perception and knowledge suggesting the speaker is being blinded. Furthermore he uses free verse to structurally reject the traditional English poetic style and control bringing his own characteristics to poetry.Similarly Rumens presents identity as being suppressed when the unknown character suggests a feeling of exile as ‘they accuse me of absence’ creating a feeling of guilt and condemnation brought among those who have fled their home. The use of the ambiguous pronoun ‘they’ creates a feeling of oppression as the migrants who flee their homes are labelled as the same and insignificant from those who live in freedom.Rumens also use free verse to mirror the fragmented identity of exile and that the unstable belonging is prevalent in modern times as political exile and displacement are common.Therefore both poems present identity as something that heals but is also installed within us, Agard by suggesting colonial education distorts self awareness rather than revealing truth allowing his identity to reveal the reality and the emigree by showing those that have fled persecution are geographically and mentally exiled.

Agard also presents identity is found within a person not from their educational upbringing as he shows his struggles and personal adventure to find himself through ‘im carving out me own identity’. The use of the verb ‘carving’ shows the search for his identity requires lots of labour and he physically has to make it as the historical bias of the English education system culturally erases the history of the Caribbean.The present tense of ‘carving’ shows that the battle for his cultural independence is ongoing campaigned by ‘me’ which is caribbean slanging showing cultural suppression will not stop, perhaps a reason it is the final line making it triumphant and independent like the identity of those from the Caribbean. In contrast Rumens presents identity as something that has always been within us as the character says ‘i am branded by an impression of sunlight’ the metaphor ‘branded’ suggests something permanent and painful has been left on the person. The use of ‘sunlight’ creates a feeling of warmth, something that mentally is comforting and brings innocence and an idealised memory of their homeland and culture. The ‘impression’ suggests the memory is indirect and perhaps false showing identity can lead those away from reality. This creates tension between beauty and suffering in memory suggesting the battle for identity happens mentally. Therefore Agard presents identity as something made and found individually whereas Rumens creates an idea that identity is already there but we must channel it positively to see reality.

Finally Agard attacks ideals of education through his identity. He uses Caribbean slang to criticise the English historical imperfections through ‘dem tell me’. The repetition of ‘dem’ shows the constant oppression and false teachings of their cultures using a creole voice rejects the overall colonial authority.Conflict is created between the speaker and rulers showing the truth must not be hidden. This is further seen throughout the poem as Agard mentions many caribbean historical figures like ‘mary seacole’ structurally reflecting the conflict imposed by identity and true heritage. This dual structure creates a feeling of hate towards colonial rule something Agard with. In contrast Rumens uses identity to show a connection between refugees and their home. The displaced character suggests ‘my city hides behind me’, the personification of the city suggests an emotional bond between the speaker and place. Furthermore the verb ‘hides’ implies protection as if the memory shields the speaker from reality leaving that conclusion to the reader whether the false reality is good or bad. The possessive pronoun ‘my’ reinforces deep attachment with the city suggesting the city is internalised within identity, not adjusted to a physical location. This is to show the importance of identity and memory to those displaced from their home. Rumens uses no specific country as this happens to many people from all over the world reinforcing the idea of protection structurally through the repetition of ‘sunlight’ throughout the poem. Therefore Agard uses identity to attack colonial use of education to hide the true heritage of the Caribbean whereas Rumens uses the character to show the importance of connection and memory of those forced away from their homes.