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"Ode to the Only Black Kid in the Class" by Clint Smith

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  • TEDEd Animation

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This animation is part of our series, "There's a Poem for That," which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings. Check out the full series here: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTheresAPoemForThat


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Meet The Creators

  • Poet Clint Smith
  • Director Niv Sekar
  • Narrator Clint Smith
  • Animator Niv Sekar
  • Designer Niv Sekar
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Check out TED-Ed's interview with Clint Smith. Clint speaks of the circumstances that inspire him to write Ode to the only black kid in the class, and cautions from generalizing black literature as a monolith.
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Avatar for Andrea Barajas Montiel
Andrea Barajas Montiel
In the actuality
The stereotype of the black people change in this moment... We are all humans
10/09/2019 • 
 7 Responses
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Avatar for daharie thomas
daharie thomas
Perception of importance
Often in white dominated spaces blackness is valued in boxed in settings, such as the football field or on a stage.
10/24/2019 • 
 3 Responses
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Avatar for Tinasia Caldwell
Tinasia Caldwell
What its like
I feel like its hard for black people to be int he right mindset when they surrounded by white people because we always think the worst. "Oh I bet they talking about me now" or "This place only got white people and I don't wanna be here because they are going to judge me". I've heard and been threw it all. I just wish that one day, we can openly talk about how we feel about certain things.
02/15/2023 • 
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Avatar for Wei Lee
Wei Lee
Analysis
Ideational The main idea of the poem is to show how people discriminate dark skin people due to their past. People assume that they are destined to fail and if they are successful it is because of their help. "Here you are star before they render you asteroid." The star is a metaphor for being the center of attention and "before they render you asteriod" means that they throw you aside like a rock
08/10/2023 • 
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Avatar for Kiaan Luthra
Kiaan Luthra
Kiaan Ode to the Only Black Kid in the Class Analysis & Question
So in this story, I found a bit of sensory First Imagery - days in the classroom feels like an antechamber , you are invisible until they turn on the Friday night lights. Simile-The classroom feels like an antechamber. Metaphor - You are invisible.Personification every body's best friend this could be pun as well. Question My question which is relevant to the content is what does the writer mean by "they watch you turn into dust "?
08/19/2023 • 
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Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Poet Clint Smith
  • Director Niv Sekar
  • Narrator Clint Smith
  • Animator Niv Sekar
  • Designer Niv Sekar
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott

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