Hot Coals

The “hot coals” (37) in the fourth stanza symbolize the “four centuries of white male approval” (38) that the black woman on the jury is “dragged” (36) over. The word “dragged” suggests that she is violently and brutally pulled against her will. The “hot coals” are representative of the structure of race and white supremacy in America that injures Black bodies literally and psychologically, until they capitulate to white standards.

Unconnected Wire

The image of the unconnected wire symbolizes, on one hand, the fact that the speaker’s language would not serve any meaningful purpose if it were not harnessed in the right political direction. Additionally, it becomes dangerous when it is connected “to the nearest socket” (50) and used to harm an innocent white person. This symbolizes the point at which language becomes dangerous for Black people, as it is used to confirm the racist rhetoric directed against...