SPOKEN WORD AS A VEHICLE OF CHANGE

Poetry Slam: a competition at which poets read or recite original work. Expressive, and can also be accompanied by music, acoustics, and movement…

Made popular during the 1980’s following the heels of an explosion of Hip Hop.

Spoken word, also called “poetry slamming” became popular amongst college circles and began as competitions.

Originating in college circles, spoken word trickled into other arenas and performances began being held in coffee shops, book stores, and university lounges.

Spoken word became a popular outlet for political outrage, injustice, and an overall outlet for emotional expression…

With the popularity of poetry slamming/spoken word increasing, Russell Simmons (noted rap artist and entrepreneur) took it mainstream. Def Poetry Jam became the national arena for spoken word art, winning a series on HBO, and eventually making it to Broadway

Link of Grammy-Award winning artist Common on the abuses of power:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LssFolrpiD4&feature=related

Once spoken word hit the mainstream, it was no longer exclusive to the underprivileged, but became a sounding board for anyone with a cause.

Spoken word art became a social movement, and coined the “new renaissance”

Spoken word is a vehicle for change. Whatever your cause may be, through written or spoken words-the platform is there to institute change!

Images from University of Waterloo on the “quest for equality”

Once Told….I was once told-you will be nothing,You will be condemned…to this environment,To this “ghetto ideology.”I was once told…teenage pregnancy-You will be NOTHING. A life yet filled,With welfare, public aid, government

stipends.1st of the month checks, your GRANDEST

rewards.I was once told-accept mere survival…Living and success is not in your cards, yet

“getting by” is ENOUGH.A future once bright, darkened by skin-by

experience.You ARE a product of your environment.Settle. Stagnant. Stunt. NEVER reaching full

potential,NEVER suppress-or DENY these

social/cultural/stereotypical norms.BE WHAT YOU WERE BORN TO BE…mediocre.