Spoken Word

I really enjoy spoken word. I just don't seek it out as much.

Because those affirmations that the poets encourage folks to make-- the 'mmm!' or the 'yeah boi!' or the 'mhm gurl preach'.  All that shit comes from the Black American community, and it's African American Vernacular--my language--that's being used for those affirmaitions. Increasingly by yt ppl who--I'll be blunt--have no business having those words pass their lips*. But also by poets of colour, which feels like a betrayal.

And my time on this planet tells me it should not be a surprised when credit is not given where it's due, when non-Black poc appropriate my language, when anti-Blackness comes from the folks who are supposed to be closest in solidarity with me to overturn white supremacy....

So while I really like spoken word, I just don't seek it out as much.