How Water Explores the Painful Past and Forgiveness of Black People
PTO
In the poem, Water, Koleka Putuma highlights the historical trauma that relates to the ocean
as a route of slavery and colonialism that is derived in the current post-Apartheid society.
Through the use of structure, irony, diction, repetition and juxtaposition, this poem deals with
freedom and oppression, the nature of the unforgivable oppression black people suffered
historically as well as forgiveness versus acceptance. An ongoing issue in South Africa is the
PTO
In the poem, Water, Koleka Putuma highlights the historical trauma that relates to the ocean
as a route of slavery and colonialism that is derived in the current post-Apartheid society.
Through the use of structure, irony, diction, repetition and juxtaposition, this poem deals with
freedom and oppression, the nature of the unforgivable oppression black people suffered
historically as well as forgiveness versus acceptance. An ongoing issue in South Africa is the
