Forming “Bars” of Freedom: Spoken Word Poetry as a Meaningful Approach to Creative Expression, Social Activism, and Identity Formation

• In Event: Teacher Research Group: A Third Space for Constructing a Counternarrative and Encouraging Teacher Action

Abstract

Spoken word poetry is gaining nationwide popularity; thus, the scope and definition of spoken word as a genre is shifting. In its unstructured form, spoken word poetry mirrors hip-hop music through oral, aural, and written tradition. It is not surprising, then, that spoken word greatly appeals to hip-hop’s most popular youth audience: African American students. Inspired by hip-hop culture and traditionally performed in coffee shops at open mic events, spoken word poetry is now being utilized in classrooms and after-school spaces as a tool to engage students in literacy curricula, facilitate students’ exploration of identity, perpetuate cultural narrative traditions, and sharpen critical thinking skills by critiquing mainstream media and examining social systems. Through qualitative research of an after-school youth poetry group’s weekly meetings, this project explores how utilizing spoken word as pedagogy generates a space for students to reinvent, dissect, and personalize poetry, thereby also meaningfully transforming their identities as students and citizens.

Lisa Archibald researches effective ways to empower teachers and students to generate meaningful change in urban public schools and their communities. Lisa volunteers as a spoken word poetry coach as part of the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement. She is currently working toward earning her Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from Rutgers University-Camden.

Author

• Lisa Archibald, Rutgers University - Camden