A Masterpiece

     Recently I attended an event in which the spoken word was celebrated. There were passionate speeches, entertaining stories, and uplifting poems. Although many of the stories spoke to me, and I could relate to many of the speakers, one poet really stood out.

     Not a sound could be heard except the sharp clicking of his shoes on the wooden floor as he took his place in front of the audience. When he took the stage, the room grew quiet. Everyone was silent, anticipating what was to come. As he began his poem, I could feel his intensity, his passion. He spoke of the inequalities he had experienced, his identity, and societal issues. Even though his poem was personal, his message was received loud and clear.With each word, I could feel the rhythm and the rhyme working simultaneously to create an experience the audience would not soon forget. He started off slowly, enunciating each word. But as he continued, his pace quickened. Each word grew more urgent than the one before. As he grew more powerful, I could feel the tension rising. Suddenly, a man appeared behind him. He was dressed in baggy jeans, a plain grey t-shirt, and clean white sneakers. The poet kept speaking with even more conviction. The man in the grey t-shirt slowly started to act out the poet’s words.  The poet’s rhythm began to change. The words started flowing, creating a beat of their own. As the poet continued, the man in the background began to dance. The words, the beat, the rhythm, the tone all matched perfectly. The simple poem became a rap in which the dancer could also express himself. No music was needed. No speakers were used. And yet, these two men on stage were able to engage the audience in an art performance like no other.  








This is an example of the poetry and rhythm discussed. It is a poem by Talib Kweli presented on the show Def Poetry Jam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvZ9aXg5Xs

Black History Month

        Communication is essential to everyday life. Therefore, rhetoric is essential to everyday life. We use rhetoric to make decisions, solve problems, and discuss issues. If we pay attention, we will be able to understand and analyze information that is presented to us.
       Recently I was afforded the opportunity to attend the 36^th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet. Dr. King was an extraordinary man. He fought for equality and justice, and held his head high during times of adversity. Dr. King was a man who was able to use his voice to speak for those who suffered from prejudice and inequality. It is a commonplace in American discourse that all men are created equal, yet African Americans were treated as second-class citizens. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized this and was able to initiate social change through the power of words.  At the banquet, we were able to reflect upon Dr. King’s teachings and listen to some of his speeches. Dr. King clearly understood the meaning of delivery, the importance of tone, and how to connect to the audience. Because of this, he was able to leave a legacy that still lives today.
        Throughout the night many awards were accepted and speeches were given. The speeches were delivered with clarity and poise. Each speaker had his own style and was able to convey his message effectively. However, although all of the speeches were unique and insightful, the speech given by Dr. Vernis Welmon stood out among all the others. His speech captured the attention of the audience, drew upon our emotions, and he conversed rather than preached. Dr. Welmon stressed the importance of community. He spoke about the ideology we share as members of the African American community and how we still embrace Dr. King’s teachings to this day. As I listened to Dr. Welmon, I was able to feel his passion, energy, and excitement about various issues. He was able to connect with his audience, and that is what made his message so powerful.
        Attending the Memorial Banquet brought about a feeling of strength and a sense of community. By recalling what Dr. King stood for and remembering his achievements, I was overwhelmed with a sense of duty to give back to the community. At the banquet many were honored for their roles in helping others. With each speech, each dance, and each commemoration, I was able to feel part of a community that understood the importance of tradition, respect, and love. Attending this banquet made me proud of Dr. King’s work and honored to be a member of a community that listens to Dr. King’s messages to this day.