Jimmy Santiago Baca expresses the power of the individual by showing how he thrived once he escaped from the constraints of society in his poem "Who Understands Me But Me." He writes about all the things "they," meaning society, cut off for him, and how he did not let these restrictions affect him: "They turn the water off, so I live without water/They build the walls higher, so I live without treetops." Baca writes, "Who understands me when I say this is beautiful?/Who understands me when I say I have found other freedoms?" He views these restrictions as a blessing because of the discoveries and achievements he made once he fought past the constraints.
Baca goes on to explain how he lived fully being away from "them" for he was able to succeed in loving his life. He writes, "I have found parts of myself never dreamed of by me, they were goaded out from under rocks in my heart when the walls were built higher, when the water was turned off." From having these restrictions put up by society, Baca was able to break out and see the other side of things. Being a free, independent person allowed him to discover who he truly was and have a true identity. Baca could finally "live with [himself] and [be] amazed at [himself]" as a defined individual.
Baca goes on to explain how he lived fully being away from "them" for he was able to succeed in loving his life. He writes, "I have found parts of myself never dreamed of by me, they were goaded out from under rocks in my heart when the walls were built higher, when the water was turned off." From having these restrictions put up by society, Baca was able to break out and see the other side of things. Being a free, independent person allowed him to discover who he truly was and have a true identity. Baca could finally "live with [himself] and [be] amazed at [himself]" as a defined individual.