Black Poets Speak Out: Saint Paul
ABOUT THE EVENT
A community reading featuring voices committed to peace, justice and progress in our city, our state, and our nation organized by #BlackPoetsSpeakOut. The purpose of the event is to offer healing to our Saint Paul community through poetry, music, and fellowship. In collaboration with White Space Poetry Project. ASL Interpreter Carlos Grant is confirmed.
This event is FREE, but space is limited. RSVP on facebook.com.
#BlackPoetsSpeakOut, is a poetic protest which began as a tumblr page hosting a couple dozens of videos of black poets reading poetry, prayers and mantras in response to Michael Brown after his murder in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014, and the grand jury’s decision on November 24 not to indict Darren Wilson, the police officer who fired the lethal bullets. Very quickly the videos began to gain momentum and spread across the internet garnering over 250 videos (and still counting). The literary movement that encouraged the community to speak out activated a vibration of mourning and healing through literacy and was spearheaded by Cave Canem fellows: Jericho Brown, Jonterri Gadson, Amanda Johnston, Sherina Rodriguez-Sharpe, and Mahogany L. Browne. Within 30 days, Black Poets Speak Out evolved from just a website with videos, into community readings around the world, a national letter campaign, as well as lesson plans utilizing Black Poets Speak Out videos for the classroom.
To learn more about #BlackPoetsSpeakOut and their last event at Penumbra please visit poetrysociety.org.