At 9 p.m. Friday, the lights in Ern Commons dimmed and the loud chatter became a hush as the culminating event of Black Culture Week was set to begin. The poetry slam, “A Tribute To Our Stars,” showcased the talent and passion poets from B.E.A.T.S., or the Black Expression Awareness and Thought Society, and Nauhtal, an award winning slam team from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Poets spoke about the daily struggles of minorities which often go unrecognized. Topics ranged from appreciating and accepting one’s skin color to defying gender labels. Each poet delivered an outpouring of emotion — and the crowd snapped, cheered and clapped as popular topics and well-known concerns were brought to light.
Among performing artists was Phen Bowmin, a recent graduate from VCU who received a bachelor’s of fine arts in photography and now coaches Nauhtal. Bowmin performed several original pieces, one of which served as a commentary on the racism in small towns where minorities are scarce and tolerance is limited. The most beautiful aspect of slam poetry, Bowmin said, is the truth within each piece.
“Everyone has a story and wants to hear other people’s stories,” Bowmin said. “Yeah, we make change, but all of that comes from talking to one another and being honest.”
A goal for many of Friday night’s performers, Bowmin said, was to say powerful things on race and to put modern racism into context for those who do not regularly experience it.
“Hearing people tell their stories gets people interested in pushing forward and making change in the world,” Bowmin said.
Other pieces were more personal, including a poem by VCU junior Shavontae Patrick titled “Target Practice,” which discussed police brutality.
“When I think about the injustices against minorities, I think of my father,” Patrick said. “And that scares me. It was important to write that poem, because this could apply to anyone.”
Patrick, who is planning to double major in English and African American studies, said the poetry slam was an effective way to end Black Culture Week.
“Poetry is probably one of the greatest black arts, stemming from a time period of innovation where arts such as blues arose,” Patrick said. “It became a movement so now everyone does it, but it’s definitely a part of black culture. It helps to talk about how issues directly affect us using such a historic art.”
Spoken word poetry, Patrick said, allows the speaker to convey emotion in a way other art forms cannot.
“When you get on stage, there is a certain vulnerability in someone’s face,” Patrick said. “The performance aspect is displaying something you can’t read.”
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