As we prepare for another week of
lobbying on health care, I wanted to share a bit of inspiration. A few weeks ago, I spent an evening at the
International Finals of Brave New Voices, the
poetry slam competition for 13 to 19 year olds. Last year,
HBO did a series on BNV , this year – for some reason –
they did not and they missed a chance to bring us brilliance and genuine hope. These young poets, poets from all over the US and around the world are young people who look with eyes wide open at the world we share and give voice to the changes we must create.
And while we get frustrated and angry and tired of the fight – for better health care, a foreign policy based on justice not war, a way of living that does not exploit but brings us together – and the news each day is full of reports that show how far we are from the change we want, these young poets remind us of why we must keep going.
For lots more Brave New Voices, click here and consider supporting the organizers, Youth Speaks.
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- Health Care Reform – Nothing Happened Last Week
- ABC’s This Week with George Will, Cokie, Woodward Seeks Misinformation Record
- ABC’s ‘This Week’ Adopts Fox News
WOW! Typing thru tears. Thanks! I needed this poem today.
What wonderful young women. What a fantastic poem.
Hey Laura,
I had the pleasure of hearing them do their poem at the finals and was so glad someone caught it on video … and they were just one of many amazing teams of young people speaking with such power and truth and honesty – and showing such love for each other and for the power of speaking your truth.
Imagine a big – really big – theater full to the rafters with kids, all loving, speaking, dancing poems!
I keep watching this and feeling that they show the way.
Yup. It’s many different kinds of wonderful, all together.
Simply fabulous. Thank YOU!
Glad you liked it too – I really recommend listening to more – or finding the local youth speaks events and hearing these kids in person … they have a lot to teach us.
I’ve been out of touch with youth the last few years, but the late 90’s, my business catered to a lot of young folks.. They really do give me hope.. especially on issues like health, energy, race or sexuality.
Eureka – absolutely.
At the finals, one team did an amazing piece on being gay, black and young in america, a team from Guam spoke about how the only way many young people on Guam can afford to go to college is by signing up for the military, and a team from Leeds in the UK took on the british security state. And that’s just a sampling.
Spectacular talent all over these youtubes. My favorites so far are NY, Fla, and Chicago besides this amazing denver contingent. Had the same reaction as when I first heard Rumi. Just as inspiring. I appreciate you bringing this home.
“We are not as small as you think!” Yes. I did need to hear that tonight. Thanks Laura for the FB tip.
OMG, me too. Gonna watch again.
My daughters are such an inspiration!
It was amazing to see the teams together at the Finals – other teams would gather at the foot of the stage, reaching their hands up towards the performing poet, offering a sign of support and love – a lot of discussion about speaking with love that night – and when teams would finish on stage, all the others would gather to hug them … the strength of the community shared was palpable.
As they say “BNV ain’t nothin’ to fuck with!”
Here’s a video of the scene after the finals outside the theater … these are poets!
sorry – here’s the sidewalk after party -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRqcq1-cWYA
We all need to recognize the power and the exactness of the proper words pieced together to produce the desired effect.
Moving. Wonderful. I love the energy and passion of young people.
Wow… I needed something to give me hope tonight… let’s hope these guys will be successful at unseating entrenched power in their lifetimes.
thanks.