upon stumbling by chance upon a man waist-deep in quicksand I see that he’s
waist-deep in quicksand I see that he’s
waist-deep in quicksand I see that he’s trying to say something but but I’d I
trying to say something but but I’d I
trying to say something but but I’d I need a second to process right because I
need a second to process right because I
need a second to process right because I mean it’s weird right quick Sam it’s
mean it’s weird right quick Sam it’s
mean it’s weird right quick Sam it’s like a cartoon this is like going to the
like a cartoon this is like going to the
like a cartoon this is like going to the zoo and seeing a mermaid so my first
zoo and seeing a mermaid so my first
zoo and seeing a mermaid so my first response naturally is to tell him hey
response naturally is to tell him hey
response naturally is to tell him hey I’m pretty sure that I read on the
I’m pretty sure that I read on the
I’m pretty sure that I read on the internet somewhere that quicksand isn’t
internet somewhere that quicksand isn’t
internet somewhere that quicksand isn’t real that this idea of a patch of
real that this idea of a patch of
real that this idea of a patch of standing water that sucks a person down
standing water that sucks a person down
standing water that sucks a person down into oblivion is just a tall tale right
into oblivion is just a tall tale right
into oblivion is just a tall tale right and you know in real life yeah you get
and you know in real life yeah you get
and you know in real life yeah you get caught in some mud or something but are
caught in some mud or something but are
caught in some mud or something but are you sure you’re sinking in quicksand he
you sure you’re sinking in quicksand he
you sure you’re sinking in quicksand he sinks my words don’t seem to have any
sinks my words don’t seem to have any
sinks my words don’t seem to have any effect so being an open mind and
effect so being an open mind and
effect so being an open mind and progressive individual I really wait
progressive individual I really wait
progressive individual I really wait maybe quicksand is real so what now well
maybe quicksand is real so what now well
maybe quicksand is real so what now well my second response upon stumbling by
my second response upon stumbling by
my second response upon stumbling by chance upon a man chest deep in
chance upon a man chest deep in
chance upon a man chest deep in quicksand is you know before I actually
quicksand is you know before I actually
quicksand is you know before I actually do anything to make sure I have the
do anything to make sure I have the
do anything to make sure I have the whole picture because what was this guy
whole picture because what was this guy
whole picture because what was this guy doing out here in the jungle all alone
doing out here in the jungle all alone
doing out here in the jungle all alone did he step into that quicksand on
did he step into that quicksand on
did he step into that quicksand on purpose was he kind of asking for it
purpose was he kind of asking for it
purpose was he kind of asking for it does he have a criminal record maybe I
does he have a criminal record maybe I
does he have a criminal record maybe I should wait till all the facts come in
should wait till all the facts come in
should wait till all the facts come in he sinks and being an open-minded
he sinks and being an open-minded
he sinks and being an open-minded progressive individual I decided to give
progressive individual I decided to give
progressive individual I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt at least
him the benefit of the doubt at least
him the benefit of the doubt at least for now I want to help so my third
for now I want to help so my third
for now I want to help so my third response upon stumbling by chance upon a
response upon stumbling by chance upon a
response upon stumbling by chance upon a man neck deep in quicksand is obviously
man neck deep in quicksand is obviously
man neck deep in quicksand is obviously to recite a poem to throw some spirit
to recite a poem to throw some spirit
to recite a poem to throw some spirit energy his way to describe out loud is
energy his way to describe out loud is
energy his way to describe out loud is just how heavy my heart is I take a
just how heavy my heart is I take a
just how heavy my heart is I take a piece of paper out of my backpack with a
piece of paper out of my backpack with a
piece of paper out of my backpack with a pen I write quicksand is bad and I’m an
pen I write quicksand is bad and I’m an
pen I write quicksand is bad and I’m an ally to those who fall in it I pinned a
ally to those who fall in it I pinned a
ally to those who fall in it I pinned a piece of paper to my chest I take out my
piece of paper to my chest I take out my
piece of paper to my chest I take out my phone and I tweet when are we going to
phone and I tweet when are we going to
phone and I tweet when are we going to wake up hashtag quicksand he sinks and
wake up hashtag quicksand he sinks and
wake up hashtag quicksand he sinks and being an open-minded progressive
being an open-minded progressive
being an open-minded progressive individual I decide that this isn’t
individual I decide that this isn’t
individual I decide that this isn’t enough right that we as a society need
enough right that we as a society need
enough right that we as a society need to address the root causes of people
to address the root causes of people
to address the root causes of people sinking into quicksand so my fourth
sinking into quicksand so my fourth
sinking into quicksand so my fourth response upon stumbling by a chance upon
response upon stumbling by a chance upon
response upon stumbling by a chance upon a man forehead deep in quicksand is to
a man forehead deep in quicksand is to
a man forehead deep in quicksand is to take a moment
take a moment
take a moment to acknowledge my privilege as someone
to acknowledge my privilege as someone
to acknowledge my privilege as someone who is not thinking in the quicksand I
who is not thinking in the quicksand I
who is not thinking in the quicksand I vow to I don’t know take a class or or
vow to I don’t know take a class or or
vow to I don’t know take a class or or to challenge my friends when they make
to challenge my friends when they make
to challenge my friends when they make quicksand related jokes or to be more
quicksand related jokes or to be more
quicksand related jokes or to be more mindful of how I navigate the world he
mindful of how I navigate the world he
mindful of how I navigate the world he sinks and being an open-minded
sinks and being an open-minded
sinks and being an open-minded progressive individual I decide that the
progressive individual I decide that the
progressive individual I decide that the time for words has passed now is the
time for words has passed now is the
time for words has passed now is the time for action so my fifth response
time for action so my fifth response
time for action so my fifth response upon stumbling by chance upon a man
upon stumbling by chance upon a man
upon stumbling by chance upon a man disappeared into we can’t allow
disappeared into we can’t allow
disappeared into we can’t allow ourselves to forget what happened here I
ourselves to forget what happened here I
ourselves to forget what happened here I know that we need to to do something
know that we need to to do something
know that we need to to do something right so to educate people or to put up
right so to educate people or to put up
right so to educate people or to put up a sign or to build a bridge over this
a sign or to build a bridge over this
a sign or to build a bridge over this patch of quicksand I just don’t have any
patch of quicksand I just don’t have any
patch of quicksand I just don’t have any wood I just have this backpack full of
wood I just have this backpack full of
wood I just have this backpack full of paper and pens and rope what can one
paper and pens and rope what can one
paper and pens and rope what can one person even do I imagine my lungs
person even do I imagine my lungs
person even do I imagine my lungs filling with mud black earth brown water
filling with mud black earth brown water
filling with mud black earth brown water the hike back to my hotel will be full
the hike back to my hotel will be full
the hike back to my hotel will be full of reflection I say a prayer under my
of reflection I say a prayer under my
of reflection I say a prayer under my breath it is the least
breath it is the least
breath it is the least I can do
so my work is about using poems as entry
so my work is about using poems as entry points into other conversations right I
points into other conversations right I
points into other conversations right I travel to colleges and conferences and
travel to colleges and conferences and
travel to colleges and conferences and use poems to open up dialogue around
use poems to open up dialogue around
use poems to open up dialogue around issues we don’t always get to talk about
issues we don’t always get to talk about
issues we don’t always get to talk about so I write a lot about gender and race
so I write a lot about gender and race
so I write a lot about gender and race and class and history and power and I
and class and history and power and I
and class and history and power and I think right away
think right away
think right away one thing that art gives us especially
one thing that art gives us especially
one thing that art gives us especially in those conversations is permission to
in those conversations is permission to
in those conversations is permission to not have all the answers it’s not have
not have all the answers it’s not have
not have all the answers it’s not have to think in this binary kind of good or
to think in this binary kind of good or
to think in this binary kind of good or bad either-or problem solution type of
bad either-or problem solution type of
bad either-or problem solution type of way right like the poem that I just
way right like the poem that I just
way right like the poem that I just shared with you I’m not trying to teach
shared with you I’m not trying to teach
shared with you I’m not trying to teach you something you don’t already know I’m
you something you don’t already know I’m
you something you don’t already know I’m not trying to make some big political
not trying to make some big political
not trying to make some big political statement it’s just about me kind of
statement it’s just about me kind of
statement it’s just about me kind of grappling with my own insecurities and
grappling with my own insecurities and
grappling with my own insecurities and my own uncertainties about how I engage
my own uncertainties about how I engage
my own uncertainties about how I engage with the issues and you know the people
with the issues and you know the people
with the issues and you know the people that I care about and I would imagine
that I care about and I would imagine
that I care about and I would imagine that I’m not the only person in this
that I’m not the only person in this
that I’m not the only person in this room right now especially today who
room right now especially today who
room right now especially today who feels uncertain sometimes in a world
feels uncertain sometimes in a world
feels uncertain sometimes in a world full of injustice and violence and
full of injustice and violence and
full of injustice and violence and hatred and oppression what are we
hatred and oppression what are we
hatred and oppression what are we supposed to do right and I think the
supposed to do right and I think the
supposed to do right and I think the poem itself is complex because I think
poem itself is complex because I think
poem itself is complex because I think part of the answer to that question is
part of the answer to that question is
part of the answer to that question is stuff like cultivating a more
stuff like cultivating a more
stuff like cultivating a more intentional social media presence and
intentional social media presence and
intentional social media presence and thinking more critically about privilege
thinking more critically about privilege
thinking more critically about privilege and power and and sure creating art and
and power and and sure creating art and
and power and and sure creating art and striving to be a more conscientious
striving to be a more conscientious
striving to be a more conscientious individual these are all good helpful
individual these are all good helpful
individual these are all good helpful things and they’re not enough right they
things and they’re not enough right they
things and they’re not enough right they may be necessary steps on the way to
may be necessary steps on the way to
may be necessary steps on the way to enough but I think one thing that this
enough but I think one thing that this
enough but I think one thing that this poem is trying to explore is how quick
poem is trying to explore is how quick
poem is trying to explore is how quick we are sometimes especially in this
we are sometimes especially in this
we are sometimes especially in this country to present individual solutions
country to present individual solutions
country to present individual solutions to collective problems whether we’re
to collective problems whether we’re
to collective problems whether we’re talking about police violence or rape
talking about police violence or rape
talking about police violence or rape culture or climate change or economic
culture or climate change or economic
culture or climate change or economic inequality or whatever like there’s
inequality or whatever like there’s
inequality or whatever like there’s another layer of action that is
another layer of action that is
another layer of action that is necessary beyond just being a better
necessary beyond just being a better
necessary beyond just being a better individual right I feel like art um can
individual right I feel like art um can
individual right I feel like art um can potentially be a really powerful entry
potentially be a really powerful entry
potentially be a really powerful entry points into a conversation about
points into a conversation about
points into a conversation about organizing which for me kind of gets it
organizing which for me kind of gets it
organizing which for me kind of gets it what a collective response to collective
what a collective response to collective
what a collective response to collective problems might look like activism people
problems might look like activism people
problems might look like activism people working together to build mass movements
working together to build mass movements
working together to build mass movements that can shift policy and culture
that can shift policy and culture
that can shift policy and culture because you know I don’t remember
because you know I don’t remember
because you know I don’t remember learning a lot about that and like
learning a lot about that and like
learning a lot about that and like school you know we learn about Martin
school you know we learn about Martin
school you know we learn about Martin Luther King jr. we probably don’t learn
Luther King jr. we probably don’t learn
Luther King jr. we probably don’t learn about Ella Baker right we learn about
about Ella Baker right we learn about
about Ella Baker right we learn about FDR and the New Deal we probably don’t
FDR and the New Deal we probably don’t
FDR and the New Deal we probably don’t learn about the labor movement Mother
learn about the labor movement Mother
learn about the labor movement Mother Jones you know thousands and thousands
Jones you know thousands and thousands
Jones you know thousands and thousands of people who built and continued to
of people who built and continued to
of people who built and continued to build these mass social and political
build these mass social and political
build these mass social and political movements that have real power to change
movements that have real power to change
movements that have real power to change our whole realities right and I feel
our whole realities right and I feel
our whole realities right and I feel like right now especially when so many
like right now especially when so many
like right now especially when so many people feel overwhelmed and powerless
people feel overwhelmed and powerless
people feel overwhelmed and powerless that feels like a really important
that feels like a really important
that feels like a really important conversation to be having so my talk
conversation to be having so my talk
conversation to be having so my talk today it is not going to be about like
today it is not going to be about like
today it is not going to be about like the magical power of poetry to change
the magical power of poetry to change
the magical power of poetry to change people’s minds right because I believe
people’s minds right because I believe
people’s minds right because I believe that the relationship between arts and
that the relationship between arts and
that the relationship between arts and activism is much much deeper than just
activism is much much deeper than just
activism is much much deeper than just arts that is about activists issues
arts that is about activists issues
arts that is about activists issues right I think that there’s something and
right I think that there’s something and
right I think that there’s something and we’ve heard from other speakers today
we’ve heard from other speakers today
we’ve heard from other speakers today like there’s something in the creative
like there’s something in the creative
like there’s something in the creative process itself that can illuminate and
process itself that can illuminate and
process itself that can illuminate and demystify this idea of activism
demystify this idea of activism
demystify this idea of activism especially for those of us who don’t
especially for those of us who don’t
especially for those of us who don’t have a ton of experience in that realm
have a ton of experience in that realm
have a ton of experience in that realm right and so I am a poet though and like
right and so I am a poet though and like
right and so I am a poet though and like I can only speak for my own experience
I can only speak for my own experience
I can only speak for my own experience so I’m framing this today as five things
so I’m framing this today as five things
so I’m framing this today as five things that being a poet taught me about
that being a poet taught me about
that being a poet taught me about activism the first one here is how I
activism the first one here is how I
activism the first one here is how I think both artists and activists are our
think both artists and activists are our
think both artists and activists are our translators how we take abstract things
translators how we take abstract things
translators how we take abstract things and make them concrete right and
and make them concrete right and
and make them concrete right and hopefully you remember your high school
hopefully you remember your high school
hopefully you remember your high school English class right so abstract language
English class right so abstract language
English class right so abstract language our ideas right like freedom and
our ideas right like freedom and
our ideas right like freedom and education and family and allies ship and
education and family and allies ship and
education and family and allies ship and activism they’re their concepts you
activism they’re their concepts you
activism they’re their concepts you can’t touch them
can’t touch them
can’t touch them whereas concrete language is anything
whereas concrete language is anything
whereas concrete language is anything that you can see hear taste smell or
that you can see hear taste smell or
that you can see hear taste smell or touch right and I feel like an enormous
touch right and I feel like an enormous
touch right and I feel like an enormous part of the work that I do as a poet is
part of the work that I do as a poet is
part of the work that I do as a poet is trying to think of creative ways to make
trying to think of creative ways to make
trying to think of creative ways to make abstract things like say a political
abstract things like say a political
abstract things like say a political issue concrete so that the audience
issue concrete so that the audience
issue concrete so that the audience doesn’t just understand it on an
doesn’t just understand it on an
doesn’t just understand it on an intellectual level but can feel it and
intellectual level but can feel it and
intellectual level but can feel it and internalize it my favorite example of
internalize it my favorite example of
internalize it my favorite example of this is on Oh like I cannot stand up
this is on Oh like I cannot stand up
this is on Oh like I cannot stand up here and quote you a bunch of statistics
here and quote you a bunch of statistics
here and quote you a bunch of statistics on climate change just because my brain
on climate change just because my brain
on climate change just because my brain just doesn’t remember those statistics
just doesn’t remember those statistics
just doesn’t remember those statistics right but what I will remember forever
right but what I will remember forever
right but what I will remember forever is that one episode of planet Earth were
is that one episode of planet Earth were
is that one episode of planet Earth were like the polar bear becomes more and
like the polar bear becomes more and
like the polar bear becomes more and more desperate for food because its
more desperate for food because its
more desperate for food because its habitat is shrinking and it gets hungry
habitat is shrinking and it gets hungry
habitat is shrinking and it gets hungry and hungry and then it dies
and hungry and then it dies
and hungry and then it dies because you know polar bears are cute
because you know polar bears are cute
because you know polar bears are cute and that’s a sad story and my brain
and that’s a sad story and my brain
and that’s a sad story and my brain processes that in a deeper way than just
processes that in a deeper way than just
processes that in a deeper way than just the facts that’s the art side um for
the facts that’s the art side um for
the facts that’s the art side um for activists or for aspiring activists I
activists or for aspiring activists I
activists or for aspiring activists I think there’s some connection here in
think there’s some connection here in
think there’s some connection here in terms of you know the first steps that
terms of you know the first steps that
terms of you know the first steps that we have to take into this world and I
we have to take into this world and I
we have to take into this world and I feel like you know when injustice
feel like you know when injustice
feel like you know when injustice happens in the world and you look at
happens in the world and you look at
happens in the world and you look at your Twitter feed and people might be
your Twitter feed and people might be
your Twitter feed and people might be saying things like if only we had more
saying things like if only we had more
saying things like if only we had more love and unity and justice and what kind
love and unity and justice and what kind
love and unity and justice and what kind of words are those right they’re
of words are those right they’re
of words are those right they’re abstract so again we translate what does
abstract so again we translate what does
abstract so again we translate what does love look like in real life every day in
love look like in real life every day in
love look like in real life every day in practice what is a moment from your
practice what is a moment from your
practice what is a moment from your memory that captures the idea of unity
memory that captures the idea of unity
memory that captures the idea of unity what is an action that can bring justice
what is an action that can bring justice
what is an action that can bring justice we make it personal think about
we make it personal think about
we make it personal think about self-interest think about what am I
self-interest think about what am I
self-interest think about what am I willing to give what am I willing to
willing to give what am I willing to
willing to give what am I willing to give up because I know that my abstract
give up because I know that my abstract
give up because I know that my abstract identities as activists as ally as
identities as activists as ally as
identities as activists as ally as feminists as anti-racist like none of
feminists as anti-racist like none of
feminists as anti-racist like none of that means anything right what means
that means anything right what means
that means anything right what means something are the concrete actions that
something are the concrete actions that
something are the concrete actions that bring those labels to life in the world
bring those labels to life in the world
bring those labels to life in the world and so that leads directly into the next
and so that leads directly into the next
and so that leads directly into the next point here which is how once we have
point here which is how once we have
point here which is how once we have these big they’re you know these these
these big they’re you know these these
these big they’re you know these these concrete images we zoom in on them to
concrete images we zoom in on them to
concrete images we zoom in on them to make them focused and specific and on
make them focused and specific and on
make them focused and specific and on some of those just small right so for an
some of those just small right so for an
some of those just small right so for an artist that might mean you know you
artist that might mean you know you
artist that might mean you know you don’t write a poem about war you write a
don’t write a poem about war you write a
don’t write a poem about war you write a poem about the first time you step into
poem about the first time you step into
poem about the first time you step into your brother’s empty bedroom you don’t
your brother’s empty bedroom you don’t
your brother’s empty bedroom you don’t write a poem about family you write a
write a poem about family you write a
write a poem about family you write a poem about a specific moment in your
poem about a specific moment in your
poem about a specific moment in your memory in which the concept of family
memory in which the concept of family
memory in which the concept of family meant something to you and don’t tell me
meant something to you and don’t tell me
meant something to you and don’t tell me what it meant you know you show me do
what it meant you know you show me do
what it meant you know you show me do detail and description and just telling
detail and description and just telling
detail and description and just telling that story and so for aspiring activists
that story and so for aspiring activists
that story and so for aspiring activists here’s the connection it is okay to feel
here’s the connection it is okay to feel
here’s the connection it is okay to feel like all of the injustice in the world
like all of the injustice in the world
like all of the injustice in the world is so much bigger than you because it is
is so much bigger than you because it is
is so much bigger than you because it is so zoom in start small start local think
so zoom in start small start local think
so zoom in start small start local think about first steps right this for me is
about first steps right this for me is
about first steps right this for me is about the difference between dismantling
about the difference between dismantling
about the difference between dismantling the prison industrial complex and
the prison industrial complex and
the prison industrial complex and jumping on a computer to Google who your
jumping on a computer to Google who your
jumping on a computer to Google who your city and state representatives are and
city and state representatives are and
city and state representatives are and what organizations are already doing
what organizations are already doing
what organizations are already doing that work in your community this is
that work in your community this is
that work in your community this is about the difference between saving the
about the difference between saving the
about the difference between saving the environments
environments
environments and you know maybe setting a meeting
and you know maybe setting a meeting
and you know maybe setting a meeting with your college advisor to maybe get
with your college advisor to maybe get
with your college advisor to maybe get you into some classes that might set you
you into some classes that might set you
you into some classes that might set you on a career path to a job in which you
on a career path to a job in which you
on a career path to a job in which you can help save the environment it’s about
can help save the environment it’s about
can help save the environment it’s about the difference between you know knowing
the difference between you know knowing
the difference between you know knowing the ins and outs of the specific
the ins and outs of the specific
the ins and outs of the specific political philosophical strategy that is
political philosophical strategy that is
political philosophical strategy that is going to end all forms of repression
going to end all forms of repression
going to end all forms of repression everywhere and just showing up to the
everywhere and just showing up to the
everywhere and just showing up to the March or the vigil or the rally or the
March or the vigil or the rally or the
March or the vigil or the rally or the meeting even when you don’t know what
meeting even when you don’t know what
meeting even when you don’t know what you’re doing
you’re doing
you’re doing leads to the Third Point how we don’t
leads to the Third Point how we don’t
leads to the Third Point how we don’t have to know everything you know for
have to know everything you know for
have to know everything you know for artists that this one might be more
artists that this one might be more
artists that this one might be more clear but it’s like you don’t have to
clear but it’s like you don’t have to
clear but it’s like you don’t have to tell people’s stuff in a poem you don’t
tell people’s stuff in a poem you don’t
tell people’s stuff in a poem you don’t have to have all the answers the poems
have to have all the answers the poems
have to have all the answers the poems are not about giving people easy answers
are not about giving people easy answers
are not about giving people easy answers they’re about I think creating space for
they’re about I think creating space for
they’re about I think creating space for us to ask more questions and to think
us to ask more questions and to think
us to ask more questions and to think more critically and just grapple with
more critically and just grapple with
more critically and just grapple with ideas and similarly if you’re a you know
ideas and similarly if you’re a you know
ideas and similarly if you’re a you know a young person or not so young person
a young person or not so young person
a young person or not so young person who wants to get more involved in
who wants to get more involved in
who wants to get more involved in activism and organizing I think it’s
activism and organizing I think it’s
activism and organizing I think it’s important to note that you don’t have to
important to note that you don’t have to
important to note that you don’t have to be perfect before you can like show up
be perfect before you can like show up
be perfect before you can like show up you know you don’t have to know all the
you know you don’t have to know all the
you know you don’t have to know all the fancy academic jargon or have some
fancy academic jargon or have some
fancy academic jargon or have some special mutant superpower that you’re
special mutant superpower that you’re
special mutant superpower that you’re gonna share with the rest of the
gonna share with the rest of the
gonna share with the rest of the movement before you can before you can
movement before you can before you can
movement before you can before you can be present before you can listen to
be present before you can listen to
be present before you can listen to other people
other people
other people before you can even just be in a room
before you can even just be in a room
before you can even just be in a room with a bunch of other people who also
with a bunch of other people who also
with a bunch of other people who also don’t know everything but who do care
don’t know everything but who do care
don’t know everything but who do care not least to the fourth point how both
not least to the fourth point how both
not least to the fourth point how both arts and activism are so much less about
arts and activism are so much less about
arts and activism are so much less about me or you and so much more about us and
me or you and so much more about us and
me or you and so much more about us and like that might sound kind of like a
like that might sound kind of like a
like that might sound kind of like a platitude that my son obvious but
platitude that my son obvious but
platitude that my son obvious but there’s this persistent stereotype of
there’s this persistent stereotype of
there’s this persistent stereotype of like the artist the capital a artist who
like the artist the capital a artist who
like the artist the capital a artist who was this tortured genius who barricaded
was this tortured genius who barricaded
was this tortured genius who barricaded himself off in like a cabin for ten
himself off in like a cabin for ten
himself off in like a cabin for ten years and then emerges with like their
years and then emerges with like their
years and then emerges with like their novel this this beautiful glistening
novel this this beautiful glistening
novel this this beautiful glistening shard of themselves that they share with
shard of themselves that they share with
shard of themselves that they share with the rest of us and pretty much every
the rest of us and pretty much every
the rest of us and pretty much every artist I know who has any measure of
artist I know who has any measure of
artist I know who has any measure of success will tell you that art is a much
success will tell you that art is a much
success will tell you that art is a much more community oriented collaborative
more community oriented collaborative
more community oriented collaborative collective process and a lot of people
collective process and a lot of people
collective process and a lot of people realize in terms of how like yeah you
realize in terms of how like yeah you
realize in terms of how like yeah you know you write you work and then you
know you write you work and then you
know you write you work and then you share and you get feedback and you work
share and you get feedback and you work
share and you get feedback and you work and you give feedback and you work and
and you give feedback and you work and
and you give feedback and you work and you revise and you give more feedback
you revise and you give more feedback
you revise and you give more feedback and you get more feedback in you and you
and you get more feedback in you and you
and you get more feedback in you and you work and you grow when you work you go
work and you grow when you work you go
work and you grow when you work you go out to events together and you hang out
out to events together and you hang out
out to events together and you hang out and you bounce ideas around and you work
and you bounce ideas around and you work
and you bounce ideas around and you work together right and this is also what
together right and this is also what
together right and this is also what organizing looks like this is what power
organizing looks like this is what power
organizing looks like this is what power looks like everyday people joining up in
looks like everyday people joining up in
looks like everyday people joining up in ciphers right and coding in community
ciphers right and coding in community
ciphers right and coding in community organizations in student organizations
organizations in student organizations
organizations in student organizations in unions in in collectives in you know
in unions in in collectives in you know
in unions in in collectives in you know living rooms and just working together
living rooms and just working together
living rooms and just working together to figure out what we have what we need
to figure out what we have what we need
to figure out what we have what we need and how we are going to make it happen
and how we are going to make it happen
and how we are going to make it happen any artists will tell you it is not
any artists will tell you it is not
any artists will tell you it is not enough to just be brilliant right any
enough to just be brilliant right any
enough to just be brilliant right any organizer will tell you it is not enough
organizer will tell you it is not enough
organizer will tell you it is not enough to just be right about the issues we
to just be right about the issues we
to just be right about the issues we have to be able to build and sustain
have to be able to build and sustain
have to be able to build and sustain relationships with other human beings
relationships with other human beings
relationships with other human beings like I got into activism because a
like I got into activism because a
like I got into activism because a friend who I would listen to music with
friend who I would listen to music with
friend who I would listen to music with one day just dragged me to a meeting I
one day just dragged me to a meeting I
one day just dragged me to a meeting I got into education working because a
got into education working because a
got into education working because a friend while I wrote poems with one day
friend while I wrote poems with one day
friend while I wrote poems with one day dragged me to a workshop I got into
dragged me to a workshop I got into
dragged me to a workshop I got into gender violence prevention work because
gender violence prevention work because
gender violence prevention work because a friend who I play basketball with one
a friend who I play basketball with one
a friend who I play basketball with one day dragged me to a conference and the
day dragged me to a conference and the
day dragged me to a conference and the common thread in all of this isn’t me
common thread in all of this isn’t me
common thread in all of this isn’t me it’s not that I’m some kind of
it’s not that I’m some kind of
it’s not that I’m some kind of altruistic wonderful person like the
altruistic wonderful person like the
altruistic wonderful person like the common thread is friendship
common thread is friendship
common thread is friendship relationships you know nobody changes
relationships you know nobody changes
relationships you know nobody changes the world on their own that’s how you
the world on their own that’s how you
the world on their own that’s how you burn out so we build we collaborate
burn out so we build we collaborate
burn out so we build we collaborate together so for my last point I’m
together so for my last point I’m
together so for my last point I’m thinking a lot about how so I sometimes
thinking a lot about how so I sometimes
thinking a lot about how so I sometimes go to like high schools and then teach
go to like high schools and then teach
go to like high schools and then teach poetry residency I’ll be there for like
poetry residency I’ll be there for like
poetry residency I’ll be there for like five days then on the last day on Friday
five days then on the last day on Friday
five days then on the last day on Friday we have an in-class performance where
we have an in-class performance where
we have an in-class performance where everyone shares what they’ve been
everyone shares what they’ve been
everyone shares what they’ve been working on over the course of the week
working on over the course of the week
working on over the course of the week and like that can be scary and that can
and like that can be scary and that can
and like that can be scary and that can be nerve-racking especially if you don’t
be nerve-racking especially if you don’t
be nerve-racking especially if you don’t like to be up in front of other people
like to be up in front of other people
like to be up in front of other people talking like I can relate to that
talking like I can relate to that
talking like I can relate to that um but you know one principle we talk
um but you know one principle we talk
um but you know one principle we talk about in that space is how you know when
about in that space is how you know when
about in that space is how you know when the water is cold right you can’t just
the water is cold right you can’t just
the water is cold right you can’t just kind of walk slowly into it right
kind of walk slowly into it right
kind of walk slowly into it right because that’s painful you dive in and
because that’s painful you dive in and
because that’s painful you dive in and once you’re in is fine
once you’re in is fine
once you’re in is fine the way the way that that manifests for
the way the way that that manifests for
the way the way that that manifests for like young poets a lot of times is
like young poets a lot of times is
like young poets a lot of times is someone will be like oh it’s really my
someone will be like oh it’s really my
someone will be like oh it’s really my turn oh do I have to go next okay I
turn oh do I have to go next okay I
turn oh do I have to go next okay I don’t know if this makes sense I kind of
don’t know if this makes sense I kind of
don’t know if this makes sense I kind of want to change the title it’s like shut
want to change the title it’s like shut
want to change the title it’s like shut up we said I would love like we love you
up we said I would love like we love you
up we said I would love like we love you and support you we want to hear what was
and support you we want to hear what was
and support you we want to hear what was what you what you created so like dive
what you what you created so like dive
what you what you created so like dive in the water like
in the water like
in the water like the poem right for activism you know
the poem right for activism you know
the poem right for activism you know this one is tricky because I think first
this one is tricky because I think first
this one is tricky because I think first and foremost we have to acknowledge that
and foremost we have to acknowledge that
and foremost we have to acknowledge that activism is not a choice for everyone um
activism is not a choice for everyone um
activism is not a choice for everyone um that some people are you know born in
that some people are you know born in
that some people are you know born in the water so to speak that survival is a
the water so to speak that survival is a
the water so to speak that survival is a kind of activism and I think there’s
kind of activism and I think there’s
kind of activism and I think there’s this other group of people um for whom
this other group of people um for whom
this other group of people um for whom it is more of a choice it’s a conscious
it is more of a choice it’s a conscious
it is more of a choice it’s a conscious decision to you know make our values and
decision to you know make our values and
decision to you know make our values and our principles concrete in the world to
our principles concrete in the world to
our principles concrete in the world to stand up for what we believe in to dive
stand up for what we believe in to dive
stand up for what we believe in to dive in and do something and I think for that
in and do something and I think for that
in and do something and I think for that group some of the same principle applies
group some of the same principle applies
group some of the same principle applies in the sense that it isn’t about waiting
in the sense that it isn’t about waiting
in the sense that it isn’t about waiting and so you know the exact right moments
and so you know the exact right moments
and so you know the exact right moments or until you have all the answers it is
or until you have all the answers it is
or until you have all the answers it is kind of about a sense of urgency about
kind of about a sense of urgency about
kind of about a sense of urgency about making a commitment and diving into the
making a commitment and diving into the
making a commitment and diving into the water and I realize that there’s totally
water and I realize that there’s totally
water and I realize that there’s totally a danger in what I’m saying here alright
a danger in what I’m saying here alright
a danger in what I’m saying here alright this point is not about action for
this point is not about action for
this point is not about action for actions sake it’s not about diving in
actions sake it’s not about diving in
actions sake it’s not about diving in uncritically or half-cocked or you know
uncritically or half-cocked or you know
uncritically or half-cocked or you know it’s used the metaphor to dive in
it’s used the metaphor to dive in
it’s used the metaphor to dive in without looking to see who’s already in
without looking to see who’s already in
without looking to see who’s already in the water or if there even is water in
the water or if there even is water in
the water or if there even is water in the first place
the first place
the first place I’m just thinking about how poets have
I’m just thinking about how poets have
I’m just thinking about how poets have to ask ourselves Who am I like what is
to ask ourselves Who am I like what is
to ask ourselves Who am I like what is my story to tell how can I contribute to
my story to tell how can I contribute to
my story to tell how can I contribute to our larger collective story without
our larger collective story without
our larger collective story without speaking for other people or over other
speaking for other people or over other
speaking for other people or over other people and I think you know activists
people and I think you know activists
people and I think you know activists have to ask these same kinds of
have to ask these same kinds of
have to ask these same kinds of questions right because it isn’t always
questions right because it isn’t always
questions right because it isn’t always about how can you be a bold leader in a
about how can you be a bold leader in a
about how can you be a bold leader in a catalyst it’s very often about how can
catalyst it’s very often about how can
catalyst it’s very often about how can you be a better follower and that can be
you be a better follower and that can be
you be a better follower and that can be a difficult thing for some people to
a difficult thing for some people to
a difficult thing for some people to wrap their heads around but it’s really
wrap their heads around but it’s really
wrap their heads around but it’s really really important right and so I mean
really important right and so I mean
really important right and so I mean let’s get concrete like what does that
let’s get concrete like what does that
let’s get concrete like what does that actually mean in real life let’s zoom in
actually mean in real life let’s zoom in
actually mean in real life let’s zoom in right I think one you know there’s no
right I think one you know there’s no
right I think one you know there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this
one-size-fits-all answer to this
one-size-fits-all answer to this question of like what do we do about all
question of like what do we do about all
question of like what do we do about all the injustice in the world right I think
the injustice in the world right I think
the injustice in the world right I think depending on what communities we belong
depending on what communities we belong
depending on what communities we belong to and where we’re at and the context
to and where we’re at and the context
to and where we’re at and the context around us for some people diving in
around us for some people diving in
around us for some people diving in means you find that organization doing
means you find that organization doing
means you find that organization doing the work that you’re passionate about
the work that you’re passionate about
the work that you’re passionate about and you show up and you get involved for
and you show up and you get involved for
and you show up and you get involved for other people it might mean you support
other people it might mean you support
other people it might mean you support organizing work through donations
organizing work through donations
organizing work through donations through leveraging access to funding and
through leveraging access to funding and
through leveraging access to funding and resources in space and attention and
resources in space and attention and
resources in space and attention and networks right for other people it’s
networks right for other people it’s
networks right for other people it’s about how we can integrate an activist
about how we can integrate an activist
about how we can integrate an activist practice into our everyday lives so not
practice into our everyday lives so not
practice into our everyday lives so not just going out to where the rallies and
just going out to where the rallies and
just going out to where the rallies and the marches are happening
the marches are happening
the marches are happening but bringing their energy and their
but bringing their energy and their
but bringing their energy and their substance into our social circles and
substance into our social circles and
substance into our social circles and our families and our schools and
our families and our schools and
our families and our schools and workplaces and places of worship right
workplaces and places of worship right
workplaces and places of worship right that could be start an anti-racist book
that could be start an anti-racist book
that could be start an anti-racist book club that could be you know raise money
club that could be you know raise money
club that could be you know raise money for the local rape crisis center write a
for the local rape crisis center write a
for the local rape crisis center write a letter to the editor to your local
letter to the editor to your local
letter to the editor to your local newspaper once a week could be have a
newspaper once a week could be have a
newspaper once a week could be have a difficult conversation with a family
difficult conversation with a family
difficult conversation with a family member support someone who’s running for
member support someone who’s running for
member support someone who’s running for City Council or mayor or Parks Board or
City Council or mayor or Parks Board or
City Council or mayor or Parks Board or run for local office yourself right
run for local office yourself right
run for local office yourself right there’s this whole list of different
there’s this whole list of different
there’s this whole list of different ways that this can be concrete in the
ways that this can be concrete in the
ways that this can be concrete in the world and that brings us back to the
world and that brings us back to the
world and that brings us back to the beginning which is another strategy that
beginning which is another strategy that
beginning which is another strategy that poets use right to end where you started
poets use right to end where you started
poets use right to end where you started because the journey is very often not
because the journey is very often not
because the journey is very often not linear but I’m so thinking about this
linear but I’m so thinking about this
linear but I’m so thinking about this question of like what is enough alright
question of like what is enough alright
question of like what is enough alright how do we create change because whenever
how do we create change because whenever
how do we create change because whenever I start listing stuff off like that none
I start listing stuff off like that none
I start listing stuff off like that none of those things are enough either by
of those things are enough either by
of those things are enough either by themselves Braddock misses you know a
themselves Braddock misses you know a
themselves Braddock misses you know a final thing that that poetry taught me
final thing that that poetry taught me
final thing that that poetry taught me about activism that no poem exists in a
about activism that no poem exists in a
about activism that no poem exists in a vacuum right no poem has to be the whole
vacuum right no poem has to be the whole
vacuum right no poem has to be the whole story I think poetry is less a film and
story I think poetry is less a film and
story I think poetry is less a film and more photograph it’s a piece of this
more photograph it’s a piece of this
more photograph it’s a piece of this larger thing and I think art in general
larger thing and I think art in general
larger thing and I think art in general is about illuminating this conversation
is about illuminating this conversation
is about illuminating this conversation this relationship between personal and
this relationship between personal and
this relationship between personal and universal between micro and macro
universal between micro and macro
universal between micro and macro between our individual selves and our
between our individual selves and our
between our individual selves and our like collective realities and I think on
like collective realities and I think on
like collective realities and I think on a fundamental level activism is also
a fundamental level activism is also
a fundamental level activism is also about that relationship about this idea
about that relationship about this idea
about that relationship about this idea that just because you don’t have the
that just because you don’t have the
that just because you don’t have the power to run out the front door and
power to run out the front door and
power to run out the front door and magically fix everything
magically fix everything
magically fix everything it doesn’t mean that you don’t have
it doesn’t mean that you don’t have
it doesn’t mean that you don’t have power especially when we work together
power especially when we work together
power especially when we work together so that’s my time but I think another
so that’s my time but I think another
so that’s my time but I think another part of being an artist is like breaking
part of being an artist is like breaking
part of being an artist is like breaking the rules so I’m going to share one
the rules so I’m going to share one
the rules so I’m going to share one little little little last thing um I
little little little last thing um I
little little little last thing um I started with a poem about the power that
started with a poem about the power that
started with a poem about the power that I sometimes feel like I don’t have I’m
I sometimes feel like I don’t have I’m
I sometimes feel like I don’t have I’m gonna end with something I wrote it’s
gonna end with something I wrote it’s
gonna end with something I wrote it’s absurd peace something that I wrote as a
absurd peace something that I wrote as a
absurd peace something that I wrote as a reminder to myself about the power that
reminder to myself about the power that
reminder to myself about the power that I or more specifically the power that we
I or more specifically the power that we
I or more specifically the power that we have so there are no stories told in a
have so there are no stories told in a
have so there are no stories told in a vacuum there is no prophecy lighting our
vacuum there is no prophecy lighting our
vacuum there is no prophecy lighting our way there was just a lot of darkness to
way there was just a lot of darkness to
way there was just a lot of darkness to be afraid of so it’s a good thing we are
be afraid of so it’s a good thing we are
be afraid of so it’s a good thing we are not afraid
not afraid
not afraid there was no Superman in that phone
there was no Superman in that phone
there was no Superman in that phone booth there was no reward in our faith
booth there was no reward in our faith
booth there was no reward in our faith there was
there was
there was no one who can save us so it’s a good
no one who can save us so it’s a good
no one who can save us so it’s a good thing we don’t need to be saved there
thing we don’t need to be saved there
thing we don’t need to be saved there are no starships and low Earth orbit no
are no starships and low Earth orbit no
are no starships and low Earth orbit no aliens to save us from ourselves there
aliens to save us from ourselves there
aliens to save us from ourselves there is no voice willing to speak for us –
is no voice willing to speak for us –
is no voice willing to speak for us – it’s a good thing we know how to yell
it’s a good thing we know how to yell
it’s a good thing we know how to yell there was no chosen one no destiny no
there was no chosen one no destiny no
there was no chosen one no destiny no fate there’s no such thing as magic
fate there’s no such thing as magic
fate there’s no such thing as magic there was no light at the end of this
there was no light at the end of this
there was no light at the end of this tunnel so it’s a good thing we brought
tunnel so it’s a good thing we brought
tunnel so it’s a good thing we brought matches thank you
matches thank you
matches thank you [Applause]
”
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