Dropping the Bomb

By Taerynn K. Owens

Perspectives Math & Science Academy

Defined as a form of artistic performance in which lyrics, poetry or stories are spoken rather than sung, “spoken word” can be seen as an epitome of self-expression.

These days, it can be seen more in Chicago’s teenage community than ever before. Teens are using spoken word as a form of not only self-expression but also as emotional release.

This feeling of release is what spoken word artist Erin Wright, 20, says she gets when writing and performing. Wright is a former participant in “Louder Than a Bomb,” a production of Young Chicago Authors that calls itself the nation’s largest youth poetry slam. This friendly competition emphasizes self-expression and community, and tries to bring teens together across racial and socioeconomic lines.

“To me, spoken word is a means of taking something from your past, something that bothers or annoys you and getting it out of you so it doesn't tear you up from the inside,” Wright says. “Some people have so many demons, so many things that have hurt them or bothered them, or otherwise shaped who and how they are, and it's therapeutic to write it out, to say it out loud, to admit it to yourself and other people, and have those people understand what you've seen or what you've gone through.”

Teens use spoken word and poetry to get things off their chests that they couldn’t say any other time. While this benefits teens themselves, some say it also benefits to the community. Because spoken word gives teens a lyrical release from their real-life problems, many have used this art form to stay off the streets.

Stephanie Sutton, president of spoken word organization Verbatim at Columbia College, last summer took part in the “Check the Method” poetry workshop, affiliated with Young Chicago Authors. The workshop gave her the chance to see firsthand how spoken word positively impacts Chicago-area poets between the ages of 15 and 21.

“Many of them could be considered ‘at-risk’ youth who had to deal with crime and gangs in their everyday lives,” says Sutton, “and spoken word poetry became not only an outlet for these frustrations, but a positive way to invest their time rather than falling (prey to) bad influences.”

According to Sutton, teen participation in spoken word continues to grow. She says that this art form has been around since the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. “I've seen so much effort from the people of that generation to pass on the passion to young people and keep it alive,” says Sutton. “‘Brave New Voices’ has come to replace ‘Def Poetry Jam’ as HBO's house poetry show, and 'Louder Than a Bomb' has grown to be a huge phenomenon in Chicago for high school kids.

“I think spoken word used to be seen as a very bourgeois art form at its conception (when really, it's quite the opposite--it’s an attempt to make poetry very accessible and relevant to others, to form a direct and tangible connection with one's audience), but now I'd say most people are introduced to spoken word, especially the poetry slam, through high schoolers.”

Faati Rufai, 16, a student at UIC College Prep, also is a spoken word artist. “There’s a lot of negativity in Chicago,” she says, “and Chicago teens don’t have the opportunity to show the positive side of our generation. Spoken word is a great way for teens to come together and do something positive expressing themselves.”

Some teens say they have turned to writing about their feelings, thoughts and experiences rather than resorting to violence. “There’s been plenty of times when I’ve wanted to act out of my anger against someone,” says Rufai, “but I’ll write a poem about it and then I’ll be fine.”

Says Wright: “I think teens have flocked to the spoken word scene because we are a generation of angst. We've grown up in tumultuous times, and, lucky for us, in this day and age it's acceptable to yell it from the mountaintops how (ticked) off we are. I think that, instead of shooting up a school like we've seen in times past, Columbine (in Littleton, Colo.) being the prime example, a lot of teenagers have found that letting your rage out on a stage, in front of friends, family, strangers, makes you feel better. You can get that anger out without physically harming someone and you can have other people nod their head and feel your emotions. In places where you think you're alone, in the spoken word scene, you're really not.”

Spoken word gives teens a sense of empowerment.

“You can give me a gun and I could go out and shoot someone,” Rufai says. “Or you could give me a pen and paper and I could write my feelings out or whatever I’m holding in, and let me educate someone.”

Says Wright about teen violence: “I think poetry is the best therapy. If we had more people writing, and just sitting down and thinking before reacting rashly... we'd have a lot less dead teens.”

Not only can the mind and words offer teens a sense of emotional release, but they can also educate.

“When you hear some of the stories come out of these young kids’ mouths, some of the things that they've been through, or things that they still have to deal with... you can't help but have your empathy levels expanded,” says Wright. “When someone goes on that stage and pours their heart out, you can't help but respect them, and you can't help but be affected. I think poetry is the best therapy.”

To view one of Erin Wright’s performances from "Louder Than a Bomb," click here.