Slam poetry began in a boxing ring.
Imagine a boxing ring in Chicago in 1979. A couple poets decided to perform their works for a generally non-literary crowd; their poems were a method of expression and rebellion. The spark of slam was ignited and has been growing ever since.
Over the years, the art form has transformed from a once avant-garde activity to something that caters to the mainstream. Mark Kelly Smith, also known as “Slam Papi,” founded the poetry slam movement. A New York Times article from 2009 quoted Mr. Smith regarding the topic: “At the beginning, this was really a grass-roots thing about people who were writing poetry for years. Now there’s an audience, and people just want to write what the last guy wrote so they can get their face on TV”.
There are many divergent opinions on slam. As Louise Daly ’14 articulates, those who appreciate this type of poetry believe it to be “a form of communication that makes people want to listen.”
Furthermore, when asked about her outlook on the subject, Nicole Castillo (Graduated in ’13) responded, “Slam poetry has made me laugh and cry. It’s made me question a lot of different things and never fails to capture my attention.” On the other hand, those opposed to slam poetry question its authenticity, claiming that it’s more about the act than the actual words.
Nonetheless, the popularity of slam poetry is rising progressively. It has been integrated into school curriculums around the country, including that of Ridge High School. Students delve into the study of slam in their sophomore year literature classes. Sophomore Literature teacher Mrs. Lipnick explained, “Given the opportunity for such open creativity, the students engage quickly, craft diligently, and enjoy the project immensely. During our final presentations, I often learn new things about my students, usually cry at least once, and am always amazed by the talent of the students.”
Sophomore Literature teacher Ms. Kuscenko also described the slam poetry unit: “The students compose and perform an original slam poem inspired by performances of both Beat poets and contemporary slam poets. The passion, creativity and insight of student performances turn into a highlight of the year.”
In May of 2009, President Obama and the first lady hosted an evening of spoken-word poetry. As stated in a Washington Post article from that year, President Obama declared, “We’re here to celebrate the power of words. They inspire us to action.” The Obamas also intended to invite diverse voices into the White House.
The reason behind the creation of slam poetry, according to Marc Smith, is because it allows everyone to “bring out the thing that is most vulnerable and most precious.” As Matt Hansen (’15) puts it, “I think it’s slamming. When performing slam poetry, your entire soul goes into it. You pull out every emotion that you can muster, and you display it to the audience. Really, it’s a very intimate and real experience.”
Clearly, slam has moved beyond the skirts of a boxing ring and into the lives of people with distinct backgrounds and opinions.