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Slam Poetry: The Next Generation Of Spoken Word

"Like if he could make everything else blurry, maybe somehow I'd look straight"

Emily Fontinha

Nov 01, 2016

St Josephs College New York

140

Slam Poetry: The Next Generation Of Spoken Word

In today's culture, slam poetry and spoken word have become increasingly popular. Every year there are hundreds of competitions, showcases, and slams held in which people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, and social statuses can come together to share their own personal pieces. Slam poetry uses metaphors, analogies, comparisons and strong diction to convey a meaningful and thought-provoking message to the audience for lasting impact.

Below are my top six favorite, most meaningful spoken poems!

1. "Say No" Olivia Gatwood and Megan Falley @ NPS 2014

"They will curse the day you learned any other words but 'no' and 'sorry'"

2. "Shrinking Women" Lily Myers @ CUPSI 2013

"I asked five questions in genetics today and they all started with 'sorry'"

3. "Ten Responses to the Phrase 'Man Up'" Gaunte

"You cannot arm wrestle yourself out of clinical depression"

4. "Somewhere In America" Los Angeles Team @ BNV 2014

"We are taught that just because something happens, doesn't mean we are suppose to talk about it"

5. "When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny" Blythe Baird @ NPS 2015

"I say 'I am sick', they say 'no, you're an inspiration'. How could I not fall in love with my illness?"

6. "21" Patrick Roche @ CUPSI 2014

"Like if he could make everything else blurry, maybe somehow I'd look straight."

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

Making the world safer through language.

University of Pittsburgh

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7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

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What It’s Like To Be A Strong Woman, As Told By Blair Waldorf

Queen B sums it up for us.

Rutgers University

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For those of you who have watched "Gossip Girl" before (and maybe more than just once), you know how important of a character Blair Waldorf is. Without Blair, the show doesn’t have any substance, scheme, or drama. Although the beginning of the show started off with Blair’s best friend Serena returning from boarding school, there just simply is no plot without Blair. With that being said, Blair’s presence in the show in much more complex than that. Her independent and go-getter ways have set an example for "Gossip Girl" fans since the show started and has not ended even years after the show ended. Blair never needed another person to define who she was and she certainly didn’t need a man to do that for her. When she envisioned a goal, she sought after it, and took it. This is why Blair’s demeanor encompasses strong women like her.

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Recommended for you

Slam Poetry: The Next Generation Of Spoken Word

"Like if he could make everything else blurry, maybe somehow I'd look straight"

1. "Say No" Olivia Gatwood and Megan Falley @ NPS 2014

2. "Shrinking Women" Lily Myers @ CUPSI 2013

3. "Ten Responses to the Phrase 'Man Up'" Gaunte

4. "Somewhere In America" Los Angeles Team @ BNV 2014

5. "When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny" Blythe Baird @ NPS 2015

6. "21" Patrick Roche @ CUPSI 2014

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It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

Queen B sums it up for us.

Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have

1. Wow. My voice sounds amazing with this song.

2. Okay, if you can't sing, don't do it.

3. But wait, I don't think I can be friends with someone who isn't going to jam out in the car with me.

4. Dance part in the car! Even when I'm alone. Because every song is my favorite.

5. Stop light. Act calm. Be cool.

6. Yes! Green light! Back at it!

7. I don't know this song, but I'm going to sing along anyway.

8. Why am I not famous yet?

9. Being next to someone who can't sing so you feel good about yourself because you rock!

10. OK, I'm so good. I need to sing louder so I can help these people out.

11. My voice doesn't reach some of those notes, maybe I should sit this one out.

12. Randomly bursting out in song and getting weird looks because of it.

13. God, thank you so much for giving me a good voice.

14. Man, I feel bad for people who can't sing.

15. Was I just humming? Did they hear me?

16. Having dance moves to go along with most songs.

17. Not being able to stop yourself at correcting people when they mess up.

18. Maybe I should post myself singing.

19. Nah, can't do it. Dumb idea.

20. Having my own personal concert in the shower. Every single time.

Normal people wouldn't understand

1. Having time to nap between classes or at all.

2. Waking up 10 minutes before your class starts and making it there in time.

3. Making it to class in general

4. Only having to hit the snooze button three times.

5. When you didn't do the homework and the teacher decides not to collect it for that day.

6. Getting that "I'm sorry, but class is cancelled" email.

7. Finding a quiet seat in the library.

8. Actually enjoying a class and understanding all of the material.

9. Having a friend to eat lunch with.

10. Finishing an assignment before the due date.

11. When there is free food on campus.

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