 |
| Deejay ATG of Generation iSpeak. Photo – Jon Huffman. |
Generation iSpeak Poetry Slam
Review by Rachel White
Entire contents are copyright © 2013 Rachel White.
All rights reserved.
So, I went to this poetry slam at Vault 1031 the
other night, and I got to watch these really crazy gifted kids read their
poetry; and I came out with their words in my head and just feeling really
wonderful and different and moved.
The poets come from a group called Generation
iSpeak, founded by Julie Crittendon and her son Alex aka Alexander the Great.
The aim of the organization is to gather Louisville kids from emotionally
difficult circumstances and teach them how to express themselves through spoken
word poetry. The results are overwhelmingly positive. There is a palpable sense
of camaraderie in the room in an evening of genuinely compelling work.
Alex (ATG) is the MC for the show, and he is made
for it, cutting in and easing some of the tensions with easygoing humor and
enthusiasm. The team is composed of seven poets: Gabe, Lance, Sparrow, Josh, Tessa,
Mama Candace, and Dream. There are judges, but as ATG reminds us, “It’s about
the poetry,” and it truly is.
“Every time you get high, you paint vacancy signs
on your eyes,” reads Tessa. “Us black kids want to get an education just like
their children do,” reads Josh. Another poet refers to her “handmade heart.”
Emotionally honest writing like this can cross
social and cultural barriers because it is universal yet specific. You feel it,
even though you might not have lived it. The kids have a maturity and a
confidence on stage that belies their age.
The work isn’t always easy to hear. The issues they
take on are the big ones: the Trayvon Martin case, racism, inner city crime,
guns, poverty, drug abuse, grief, and loss. The poets might not have the polish
of more seasoned writers, but the raw talent in the room is obvious and these
writers have all of the grit and confidence of youth.
Generation iSpeak is attending Brave New Voices
Youth Poetry Slam in Chicago in the coming weeks. I wish them well. I am amazed
by Alex and his mother’s vision; it seems that they have found a unique way to
help kids out, giving them a voice in writing and showing them how to use it,
creating an environment that is demanding yet supportive. A community of
likeminded writers is a powerful thing. Louisville should listen.
Generation iSpeak
Vault 1031
1031 South Sixth Street
Louisville, KY 40203
No comments:
Post a Comment