Artist Statement (Revised)

Comparison: Where the Sidewalk Ends ( By Shel Silverstein) and The Image of Slavery in the 1600's.
Quote: " Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends."
Image: Slave from the 1600's full of depression and sadness.
Thesis: Where the Sidewalk Ends and the historical event of slavery connect and reflects on the path taken to end slavery in America.

" Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black." Ending slavery in America was an ongoing process. Ever since the beginning of slavery, immigrants brought from Africa were never given a free chance. Where the Sidewalk Ends and the historical event of slavery connect and reflects on the path taken to end slavery in America. The poem discusses going to a place that is different, and leaving the place and your surroundings. On the sidewalk, the smoke blows black, which represents a deep and sad vibe throughout the area. This can be compared to how the the vibe was during slavery. For the slaves, this was not a happy time. They slaves walk at a measured and slow pace as they work. They know they are in this area with dark streets until they arrived at the place where slavery ends, which is represented by the place where the sidewalk ends. The road of slavery wasn't easy, and they had many winds and bends, as represented in the poem, and the slaves were put through a lot. They followed what they were suppose to do and followed the arrows until they arrived at a better place.

Shel Silverstein is a children's poet, who uses basic words to provide a clear message,as well as a hidden message. His poems are known for writing about events that children imagine about, and events that happen in a child's life. He uses historical events, and historical information and creates an entertaining yet educational poem.

Over time America has adapted and changed with different advocates for freedom, and people who have done honorable things in order to protect peace. When slavery started in 1600's, people survived brutal passages from Africa, and slavery went on for 12 generations before anyone did anything to end it. Around 1830, Slaves fled their homes, in order to leave the unfair life they were given. While leaving, they went down different paths in order to get to the same place. The slaves were looking for freedom, and freedom was found, where the sidewalk ended.

Resources:
Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends (25th Anniversary Edition Book & CD). New York: HarperCollins, 2000.
"Slavery in America." Slavery in America. 16 Jan. 2009 .