Putting Up Your Words: The Wayne County Public Library Poetry Slam

Poetry is an ageless art form, starting as a way to preserve the myths and legends of ancient cultures long before these tales were written down. As all arts poetry has evolved with the times and remains with us today. The latest evolution of poetry is often referred to as “slam poetry.” Two or more poets recite their poetry out loud, sometimes with musical accompaniment, in a contest measuring both poetry writing and performance skills.
To encourage the youth of our communities to express themselves creatively and to raise awareness of this constantly-growing mode of literary performance, the Wayne County Public Library is sponsoring a Poetry Slam on April 22 in the Gertrude Weil Auditorium at the Main Branch. It is one of the many events that the Library has scheduled to celebrate National Poetry Month.

The Slam is open to students in middle school and high school, and participants can compete individually or in groups. Of course all poems performed must be original and if competing as a team all performers must have collaborated on the poem. The Library gladly offers performance consultants for those desiring it.

Other events to observe National Poetry Month include and open mic night at the Steele Memorial Branch in Mount Olive and a poetry video. The video is an especially interesting experiment; a manned video camera will be sent around Wayne County’s communities, and people young and old alike will be invited to perform their favorite poetry in front of it.
Brandon Robbins is an employee of the Library’s Reference Department who helped organize and execute last fall’s well-received “Poetry Out Loud” program, wherein he joined local poet C. K. Goodman (who will also be contributing to the National Poetry Month celebrations) in bringing poetry performance to Wayne County’s schools. He has been writing poetry since his sophomore year of college. “I think it’s great that we’re doing things for our youth that involve poetry,” he says. “Our kids need an outlet for expression, and helping them find that outlet is one of the most important things the Library can do.”

Many teenagers find poetry natural. Not only does poetry require only a pen and paper, it is also so closely tied with music (which is another favorite pastime of youth) that it is not as alien to some teens as other pursuits may be. In fact, although music is not allowed as part of the performance for the Library’s Slam, the participants are encouraged to use music as a source of inspiration for their poems and performance styles.

Perhaps the greatest boon of poetry is that it is a safe and sane way for teens to articulate their thoughts, opinions, concerns, and emotions; and performing their poetry is an equally safe and sane way to share them.

For more information about Wayne County Public Library’s Poetry Slam, or any of the National Poetry Month events, come by the Reference Desk of the Main Branch and ask to speak to Sue Geiger or call 919-735-1824 ext. 5116.

Remembering Coretta Scott King

Recently, a national icon and a courageous leader passed away. Coretta Scott King, wife of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (whose birthday the nation celebrated just last week), passed away on January 31 . She was 78 years old.

Born Coretta Scott, Mrs. King spent her childhood working on her family’s farm in Heiberger, Alabama. She picked cotton to help her family survive the Great Depression. In 1945 she graduated at the top of her class from Lincoln Normal School in Marion, Alabama. After graduating from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, she moved to Boston where she met Martin Luther King Jr.

The two were married on June 18, 1953. After Coretta earned her degree in voice and violin from the New England Conservatory, she moved with her husband to Montgomery, Alabama where he had just been named the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

Mrs. King’s life is populated with achievements and accolades. She was active in the Civil Rights movement led by her husband, putting together a series of Freedom Concerts which drew attention to the movement through poetry, narration, and music. She was also an advocate for peace, serving as a delegate to the 1962 Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Switzerland and pre-dating Dr. King’s protests against the Vietnam War by two years.

After the tragic death of Martin Luther King, Coretta King continued in her husband’s footsteps. In her autobiography My Life with Martin Luther King Jr. she reflects "Because his task was not finished, I felt that I must re-dedicate myself to the completion of his work." In addition to successfully fighting to make the civil rights leader’s birthday a national holiday, Coretta has been an advocate of women’s right, lesbian and gay rights, and AIDS/HIV prevention.

The American Library Association awards the Coretta Scott King Award to an African-American authors and illustrators for outstanding achievements in children’s literature.

Coretta King has authored three books and holds honorary doctorates from over 60 colleges and universities. All of her children have become vocal civil rights and racial equality advocates.

The Wayne County Public Library welcomes your thoughts and reflections on the achievements of this admirable woman, the civil rights movement that she was such an integral part of, and how the world has benefited from the efforts of the King family and their many fellow crusaders.

To find out how to learn more about Coretta Scott King, the civil rights movement, or any other related topic, feel free to inquire at the Reference Desk of the Wayne County Public Library.