Word is Born: A reflection on The Urban Word “Word Life” panel discussion
October 3, 2009
Urban Word kicked off its Annual Mentor, Teacher, Educator & Community Activist Training with an experimental roundtable panel entitled “Word Life: A Performance and Conversation on Language, Identity & Power.” The panel consisted of four youth poets (Jamilla Lyiscott, Carvens Lissaint, Ceez, and Thiahera Nurse) paired with three educators and activists (Dr. David Kirkland, Regie Cabico, and novelist, Black Artemis) whose interaction and dialogue were sparked from each poet’s piece that touched on Race, Gender, and Orientation. This unique format served to breathe new life into the traditional panel format, as well as open up a new space to create conversation around well traveled but critically relevant issues.
The first poem, “Diaspora” performed and written by Jamilla Lyiscott; was partially the re-telling of oppression and segregation of the African Diaspora, and partially a reflection on the inconsistencies and contradictions that the Diaspora faces in a post-neocolonial world. Dr. Kirkland, an expert in the field of language and pedagogy was the direct respondent to this piece. His reflection focused on two main points; the powers of language to transform, inform, and liberate groups, and that this specific language used represented a valid and important component within academia. Dr. Kirkland rhetorically asked all of us within the forum, “How do we make space for this type of non-traditional language?” Control of language gives us the power to define our existence, set the parameters for how external forces view us while supplying the group with a weapon to defend itself against those forces. Jamilla, who is a young educator in training, commented on the life experience that influenced her writing. This idea that lived experience as primary source to draw information and theory from while creating the foundation on which to shape, refine and build knowledge was one of the underlying themes throughout the panel.
“Switch” was a group piece performed by Urban Word 2009 slam teammates Ceez, and Carvens Lissaint that parallel the hate crimes of Matthew Sheppard and Rashawn Brazzell. The piece not only utilized powerful spoken word but physical language as well, re-enacting the violence that these two young men faced in their unseemly and untimely deaths. Their respondent Regie Cabico, a youth educator who utilizes theatre along with spoken word remarked that the piece “told more in three minutes then most playwrights can do in an entire play.” Regie focused on the danger that artists and educators face in revealing these often painful and graphic truths, but also wanted to know the process the poets went through to create such a powerful piece of art. Carvens spoke of the courage he found in confronting his own insecurities around the portrayal of these two openly gay men. He believed that his duty as an artist is to call people to action. Ceez reflected on the synergy generated from the two poets interacting with one another, and bringing their shared ideas to the table. The discussion centered on educators needing to put themselves on the line first and foremost if they wish to cultivate young minds to face that danger. Black Artemis expressed educators need to “Walk the Talk” while Dr. Kirkland openly challenged everyone in the room to face the danger, and see it as an opportunity for heroism.
The final piece, “Queens’ performed by Thiahera Nurse was inspired from an interaction the young poet had on the subway with adolescent boys. Her poem examined the meanings behind the colloquial use of the term ‘Queen’ to describe women. Black Artemis, a novelist and policy advocate spoke about how the piece highlights the potential to redefine words and ourselves through language. The larger question became, can and how do we reclaim language? Can an oppressed people who still exist under that oppression reclaim oppressive language? Thiahera’s conundrum came from the reality that although the term had been used as one of endearment, the actions after the word contradicted its supposed meaning. In her community and school she also reflected on the small amount of safe space allotted to express and define ones identity. Within all three pieces, this was a recurring trope.
This community discussion displayed the spoken word medium as a powerful bridge to connect people to realities that become less defined by boxes, and stereotypes. The use of language, both verbal and physical provides a means to push boundaries, see individuals in a new light, and open up channels to start discourse on a myriad of issues for those in the lower hierarchy of society. Most importantly the ownership of this language gives ownership of identity to these groups as well. Rethinking the ideas of self-determination, art as a revolutionary weapon can be seen in one’s own ability to define self. In particular, youth’s opportunity to express, explore, and shape ideas has a powerful ally in spoken word, a form that can usurp the role traditional academia looks to play in shaping the future.
- “Mikal Lee is a Artist/Teacher, founder of Fresh Roots Music and co-founder of Say Word Entertainment
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