Benjamin Zephaniah Poem Analysis

Benjamin Zephaniah Poem Analysis

Biko The greatness
The quotation on the scroll he holds in the icon is how he defined Black Power during a court trial in 1976. ‘Begin to look upon yourself as being human’. The Greek inscription above his head reads ‘Holy Steven’.
Biko died in prison on 12 September, after being tortured and beaten Steve Biko died.
The brutal circumstances of Biko's death caused a worldwide outcry and he became a martyr and symbol of black resistance to the oppressive Apartheid regime.
Biko was not a regular churchgoer, but he laid down his life for Christ. All human beings bear God’s image. Whenever human dignity is abused, God’s image is violated. At the last judgement Christ told us he will say, “Whatsoever you did to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did to me.”
Given certain conditions and challenges the human spirit is capable of astounding achievements. Steven Biko was an ordinary person, who became great by aligning himself with justice in a very real and life changing way.
Crusaders and Prophets like Steven Biko are capable of expanding the fragile human spirit to the edges of divine courage, and in doing so, give all of us a glimpse of our possibilities. Biko and others like him, remind us of the Christ who openly witnessed to the divine presence within humanity, and in particular those little ones, whom Christ loved – the oppressed, the poor, the accused and the sick.
Whenever and wherever oppression and violence threaten or destroy human dignity prophets and crusaders like Steven Biko dare to speak, dare to march and dare to die for their beliefs because all of us are made in the image and likeness of God. This is what made Biko great, a greatness which Benjamin Zephaniah celebrates in his poem ‘Biko the Greatness’.
Bought and Sold
Black poet Dr Benjamin Zephaniah rejected the offer of an OBE because he claims it stands for colonial brutality and slavery. Benjamin Zephaniah said the honour's title, Order of the British Empire, gives an impression of...