The Daily – The Sunday Read: ‘The Kidnapped Child Who Became a Poet’

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” Shane McCray, a 48-year-old American poet, shares his memoir, “Pulling the Chariot of the Sun,” which delves into his childhood and his journey to becoming a poet. McCray’s story is one of complexity, as he was kidnapped by his white maternal grandparents at the age of three and raised under the belief that his black father had abandoned him. The memoir explores themes of race, identity, family, and the power of poetry.

Main Takeaways

McCray’s Complex Childhood

• McCray was kidnapped by his white maternal grandparents at age three and raised as a white child.
• His grandparents tried to keep his racial identity a secret, raising him in a racist household.
• The memoir explores the complexities of McCray’s childhood and his struggle to reconcile his identity.

Fact-Checking and Personal History

• Wyatt Mason fact-checked McCray’s story by speaking with his estranged parents to reconcile differing accounts.
• McCray’s memoir prompts him to doubt his own memories and the certainty of his past.
• The book explores McCray’s personal history and his journey towards becoming a poet.

McCray’s Journey to Becoming a Poet

• As a teenager, McCray recognized the need to read extensively in order to become a poet.
• He dropped out of high school, read 200 pages a day, and went through multiple colleges and writing programs.
• McCray’s artistry is a result of his work ethic and dedication to his craft.

Themes Explored in McCray’s Work

• McCray’s poems address the pain in his own biography, including experiences with racism and family struggles.
• His work delves into the history of how whites have treated blacks, including mixed-race individuals.
• McCray’s use of poetic form makes his work unique and identifiable.

McCray’s Personal Journey and Faith

• McCray struggled with emotional detachment due to being taken from his father at a young age.
• He explored different belief systems before embracing Christianity.
• McCray’s faith is reflected in his work and his belief that successful poems are smarter than both the writer and reader.

Summary

Shane McCray’s Complex Childhood and Identity

Shane McCray’s memoir, “Pulling the Chariot of the Sun,” explores the complexities of his childhood, where he was kidnapped by his white maternal grandparents and raised under the belief that his black father had abandoned him. The memoir delves into the challenges of growing up in a racist household and the struggle to reconcile his racial identity.

McCray’s Journey to Becoming a Poet

McCray’s journey towards becoming a poet involved dropping out of high school, reading extensively, and going through multiple colleges and writing programs. His dedication to his craft and his work ethic shaped his artistry and unique poetic style.

Themes Explored in McCray’s Work

McCray’s poems address the pain in his own biography, including experiences with racism and family struggles. His work also delves into the history of how whites have treated blacks, particularly mixed-race individuals. McCray’s use of poetic form makes his work identifiable and distinct.

McCray’s Personal Journey and Faith

McCray’s personal journey, including being taken from his father at a young age, influenced his emotional detachment and affected his ability to connect with family. He explored different belief systems before embracing Christianity, which is reflected in his work. McCray believes that successful poems are deeper and more insightful than what the writer and reader initially perceive.

Conclusion

Shane McCray’s memoir, “Pulling the Chariot of the Sun,” is a powerful exploration of his complex childhood and his journey to becoming a poet. Through his personal history and his poetic form, McCray addresses themes of race, identity, family, and faith. His work serves as a testament to the power of poetry to uncover and confront difficult truths.