Spoken Word, and more specifically, Slam Poetry in the United States gives voice to those who are typically excluded from literary movements. The "slam" format is important in its inclusive, participatory, provides a venue for engagement in literary and political exchange, and sets up a non-academic standard for judgment.
When it began, in 1986, Slam was something for bars, and working audiences who had little time for entertainment, let alone literature and politics. It has since taken a commercial turn (Def Poetry Jam, for example). The implications of commercialization on a grassroots movement are incredibly relevant. I came into the Kalamazoo slam scene in 2003 and have watched it grow, disappear, and return. I am passionate about it.
The Kalamazoo Poetry Slam, which existed for 11 years before folding has returned this year. I plan to interview the host, Tracey Smith. "The Cultural Politics of Slam Poetry: Race, Identity, and The Performance of Popular Verse in America" will also be a primary source. Secondary sources will include other interviews and poetic examples.
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This looks good, Ada, and I'm glad we've taken time to talk about it. Make sure your "but" clearly makes a case for what the trend(s) mean(s) in a larger sense about our culture or literary culture at this particular moment in time.
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