Terrence Howard Proves Black Is Yellow Next
Let's workshop this poem about a modern-day embodiment of a classic American archetype: the conman—the snake-oil quack—who, in his desperation to matter (or stupidity?), has bought into own cheap con.
Terrence Howard Proves Black Is Yellow Next “2 x 1” means the first number is present the number of times indicated by the second, but he insisted the answer was 3 (“since 1 has value”) and—manic with megalomania— convinced himself he had left the matrix instead of simply redefined “multiplication.”
"Terrence Howard Proves Black Is Yellow Next" is a satirical and critical poem that uses the specific pop-cultural reference of actor Terrence Howard's controversial mathematical theories to explore themes of **delusional self-importance, the redefinition of foundational concepts, and the unsettling nature of intellectual arrogance in the age of personal truths.** It functions as a **contemporary social commentary**, critiquing a mindset that prioritizes idiosyncratic belief over established understanding.
Formally, the poem adopts a didactic, almost explanatory tone in its initial lines, setting up a clear definition before immediately subverting it. The opening stanza defines multiplication rigorously: "“2 x 1” means / the first number is present / the number of times / indicated by the second." This establishes a baseline of objective, mathematical truth. The swift shift with "but he insisted / the answer was 3 ('since 1 has value') and—manic / with megalomania—" introduces the central figure's divergence from this truth. The enjambment between "manic" and "with megalomania" intensifies the portrayal of his delusional state. The phrase "'since 1 has value'" is presented as the absurd justification for his redefinition, highlighting the arbitrary nature of his "logic." The final lines, "convinced himself / he had left the matrix / instead of simply redefined / “multiplication,”" are the poem's satirical punchline, neatly encapsulating the delusion. The reference to "the matrix" taps into a common cultural trope of perceived enlightenment or escape from conventional reality, here twisted to serve intellectual arrogance.
Thematically, the poem delves into the dangers of **unfettered subjectivism and intellectual solipsism**. The "Terrence Howard" figure (serving as an archetype, rather than a direct personal attack) embodies a form of **megalomania** where personal conviction overrides objective reality. His belief that he has "left the matrix" illustrates a common psychological phenomenon: the conflation of unconventional thinking with profound insight, when in reality it's merely a "redefin[ition]" of established terms for personal convenience. The title itself, "Terrence Howard Proves Black Is Yellow Next," is a masterful stroke of **sardonic prophecy**. It suggests that once fundamental concepts (like mathematical operations or the very nature of reality) are subject to individual redefinition based on personal "value," then even basic perceptual truths (like color) can be arbitrarily inverted. The poem serves as a cautionary tale against the erosion of shared epistemological ground, highlighting how radical subjectivity can lead to intellectual absurdity and a dangerous disconnect from verifiable reality.
satire, intellectual arrogance, megalomania, redefinition, objective truth, subjectivism, solipsism, delusion, contemporary social commentary, pop culture, epistemology, unconventional thinking, pseudo-science, mathematical absurdity.