Background Information

Make sure to answer all the questions marked in bold in your short response. 

Slam poetry, or spoken word poetry, is perhaps the most contemporary and most modern of all poetic techniques.  Slam poetry's roots lie in the traditions created by Beat poets in the 1950s and 1960s.  Early beat poets, such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burrough, began a poetry craze that was appreciated by all sorts of bohemians, punks, hippies, and other "alternative" groups.  Their poetry was often read out loud and focused on rhythm and current events.  Slam poetry, as we know it now, began in the 1990s with inner-city youth who would write about the events that currently faced them, often gang membership, interracial relations, racial prejudice, and poverty.  Now, however, slam poetry has evolved into more of a mainstream culture.  Slam poetry contests are held throughout the nation, where poets meet to read their poetry and be judged on their performances. (see the Yale article link attached below). The focus of slam poetry lies in its performance.  Performers are expected to read rhythmically, emphasizing particular phrases and important themes, thus the alternative name, spoken word poetry.  Like beat poetry, the modern version focuses on current events and social issues throughout the nation.  Slam poetry sounds much like the hip-hop and rap of today, only the subject matter is slightly more political.  As you read this poem try to envision how this poem might be read at a slam poetry contest.  How is the rhythm of the poem captivating? 

Many debate whether slam poetry is really slam poetry at all.  Some argue that slam poetry is nothing more than regular sentences read out loud, while others debate that it is poetry.  After reading this poem, what do you think?  Does this qualify as poetry?  Use some of the links below to read articles which further define slam poetry and offer insight into this new poetic form.