By
Angela Orlando
Arizona Daily Wildcat
A Zulu proverb says, "A word uttered cannot be taken back."
Oral tradition is an integral part of nearly every culture worldwide, and poetry is very much a part of that tradition. The power of the spoken word is, as the proverb states, impenetrable.
But the way in which that word is being spoken is changing. Slam poetry in many cities - including Tucson - is gaining a larger presence than more traditional academic poetry readings.
"Some (slams) are wild, some are more academic," said Matthew Shenoda, a second-year poetry graduate student. "There's a lot of moving around, there's usually not a podium. Slams are interactive - the crowd's response is a big factor. The audience is free to shout out if they are so moved. Slam delivery is often theatrical and musical. Poetry does not become truly real until it is given breath."
The evolution of the poetry slam as an art form reflects a desire for an accessible method of expression - one which allows artists to freely voice their words to today's jaded audiences.
Slam's roots lie initially in hip-hop and ultimately in jazz, blues, improv and theater. It has been influenced by the Black Arts Movement of the '60s. It wasn't until the early '90s, however, that the art form began to gain momentum in America's urban areas.
Saul Williams, director of the film "Slam," was one of the forefathers of the movement. Another film, "Slam Nation," is a documentary about Williams and the slam poet lifestyle.
The word "slam" itself denotes physicality and passion, and appeals directly to the modern, hardened youth.
The poetry slam contrasts with conventional readings by its very nature. A slam competition usually consists of about 10 audience members randomly chosen to judge competitors' poems on a scale of one to 10. The winner generally receives money or prizes.
A traditional reading, on the other hand, is more impersonal. A podium divides the reader from the audience.
Shenoda said slams often feature an emcee, who introduces performers, riles up the crowd, "busts out a few rhymes" and helps organize teams if the event is planned as a team slam.
Jami Macarty, organizer of the annual Tucson Poetry Festival, said the April 4 festival will be conducted according to National Slam rules, though some of the more stringent rules will be omitted.
"I see a street poetry community and I see an academic poetry community (in Tucson)," Macarty said. "Some people say there's a big difference between the two, and I'm interested to see if that's true."
Obscenity can be a vital part of slam poetry readings. Slam lends itself to anger and passion - and can be a forum for poets to release those emotions.
"In slam, there are many guidelines, but there is no censorship as there is in the university setting. One thing I'll have to do when I step up to the mic (at the festival's slam) is explain that there is no censorship and there may be contents that make people uncomfortable," she said.
"In the large scheme of things, we are censored all day long because we live in an establishment," Macarty added. "I know that there are people from the academic setting coming to slams. There may not be such a large gap between the communities."
Shenoda, a poet-in-residence at Tucson High School, which is holding its second slam of the year this week, said he sees a definite difference between the poetry of academic and urban poets.
"My students are of a generation that will probably do very few traditional readings," he said. "We live in a very entertainment-focused world. There is a huge opposition of slams within the 'academy.' A lot of academics shy away."
With slams such as tonight's in The Cellar, Tucson's poetry scene is becoming more diverse and welcoming. And although Tucson is not an urban city, the vitality of slam's message is becoming more prevalent here.
"The message is often highly political," Shenoda said. "Often times it's very in-your-face. Slam is dominated by ethnic poets, but not solely. You can't talk quietly about race relations. Slam demands participation. It's poetry for the people."
For more information about the Tucson Poetry Festival, see http://www.tucsonpoetryfestival.org .
