How many people do you know who have changed their major during college? There are many reasons why people change their minds about what they want to do, but in the end it comes down to the fact that we are all searching for things to fulfill us. The thing is, no singular academic focus can meet the many needs of our complicated minds. It is of great importance that we do things that keep us well-rounded and allow us to use the different muscles of the brain. I think that is why so many students of different majors and backgrounds do extracurricular activities, study abroad and take interesting electives. For me, it often feels like an artistic and emotional side of me needs stretching; it needs to be heard and to hear something it agrees with. Poetry is the perfect outlet for this. Both writing it and reading or hearing it gives the same cathartic effect.
I also have major respect for anything that serves multiple purposes. Poetry isn’t just an emotional outlet, but a platform for political and social statements that are increasingly important in today’s rocky and changing society. The poets that form the group The Striver’s Row cover a wide range of subjects, all under the guise of beautiful and compelling words. You can’t help but listen to what they have to say. On Nov. 6, two members of the six-poet group—Jasmine Mans and Miles Hodges— will be performing for us right in Russell House Theater. I have personally seen both of these poets perform in New York along with the rest of The Striver’s Row, and I can tell you I left the show with a chill down my spine that still comes back sometimes. Their poems are powerful, meaningful and probably don’t fit the stereotype you have about poetry.
Right now, things are happening to the world. Bad things need fixing, and our generation needs speakers. Spoken word poetry delivers in this area. The personal and intimate nature of the shows takes the discourse off of the computer screen and puts it into real life. These poets can be our voices of power and also of comfort. I hope that people come check this out for themselves, to see that poetry is a tool that can help us build something great.