On the Subway

In reading the poem "On the Subway" in lines 18-20 states he is in my power,the way I am living off his life, eating the steak he does not eat reflects power and privileged. Lines 21-22 states he is black and I am white suggest racial segregation. In lines 29-33 states this life he could take so easily and break across his knee like a stick the way his own back is being broken refers to in the time of slavery, the master would beat the slaves with whips over their backs until their skins are open and rich blood running down.