Speaking Out, part 2

By Kenny Chang
Daily Bruin Reporter

It is perhaps one of the most studied forms of communication,
yet it is still not dominant in everyday language.

It can be an art form, a picture of time, and indicative of
whoever wrote it.

It can exist on several layers and only on one layer. It is
poetry.

Located throughout Los Angeles are multiple clubs, lounges,
bookstores and other establishments that help to promote poetry and
spoken word as a creative force, enabling people to experience and
understand other individuals.

Spoken word presentations are open forums for novelists,
playwrights, poets and lyricists, among others, to come and share
their work.

“We’re trying to promote reality,” said Lola
Terrell, administrative assistant at the Baroque Bookstore, which
regularly holds poetry readings and spoken word presentations.

“It’s a different reality in a way versus the
popular culture,” she continued. “It’s thinking,
looking at things in different ways, and seeing how others
experience life and view life.”

Many view poetry as a mechanism to express oneself, to provide a
glimpse inside the inner workings of one’s mind and soul.

“I think poetry is a decent outlet,” said Todd Cole,
sales representative at Midnight Special Bookstore and Cultural
Center, a venue with poetry workshops and open poetry meetings.
“People enjoy poetry in a public environment. Poets love to
be heard, and love to be heard by other poets. And if for anything,
just for the ability to get their voice out there and to critique
and hear some of their so called competition.”

Cheryl Keyes, UCLA professor of the cultural history of rap
class this quarter, also celebrates the beauty and power of poetry
as it influences rap and new writers looking for a voice.

“The 1960s represents what we call the new black aesthetic
… in which there were new writers in search of a voice, looking
for something natural to black artists,” Keyes said.

“What was traditionally considered poetry then did not
necessarily have to rhyme,” she added. “It had to be
functional, make sense, and appeal to the black masses and their
causes.”

As a talented songwriter, Keyes writes her lines by focusing on
words and phrases that are realistic, situational, and able to
touch people’s lives.

Poetry is an art form that gives artists voices, that can appeal
to masses, stirring social change, and help listeners get a new
perspective on life.

“I hope (reciting poetry) is a type of gateway to other
public showings of art and creates a larger venue for artists to be
heard,” Cole said. “If you’re an artist,
optimally you’d have a voice, and (venues like us) can give
these artists that voice.”