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SPOKEN WORD & AIDS 35
The History of Spoken Word
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Spoken word is an oral art form that combines word play, intonation and voice inflection in the creation of recited poetry.
Spoken word in the United States has deep roots in African American culture and history, drawing on a rich literary and musical tradition. It has been leveraged by activists throughout the 20th and 21st century, and was heavily influenced by the Civil Rights movement in the United States in the 1960s. It begun to gain popularity in the last decades of the 20th century, and has since become a widely used form of creative expression.
Today, poets use spoken word in comedy, activism, social commentary, and competitions, as well as various other creative purposes.
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Source: Hirsch, Edward (2014). A Poets Glossary. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt & Folkways, Smithsonian. "Say It Loud". Smithsonian Institution.
AIDS 35: December 1st, 2016
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AIDS 35 was an evening of spoken word poetry honoring the voices of those who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In the 35 years since the first case of AIDS was reported by the Centers for Disease Control (1981), the HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved into one of the most complex global health challenges of the 21st century. Yet behind the numbers and statistics lie the voices of individuals, whose lives have been shaped by the disease. AIDS 35, held on World AIDS day, featured 8 spoken word poems written by HIV positive and affected poets, and performed by spoken word artists in the Duke community.
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AIDS 35 was created with the purpose of providing a space for storytelling and sharing, with the ultimate goal of promoting purposeful discussion and reflection.
Sharing
Understanding
Communicating
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Dandelion
by Mary Bowman
I Mean HIV
by Toni Payne
Welcome to the Mines
By Clint Smith
Bring them Back
By Lisa Smith
Women In and Out of the Shadows
By Andrea de Lange
Orange Caps
By Miles Hamlin (pseudonym)
Pieces of a Dream
By Arvan Washington
The Strength that Lies Within Me
By Eunice (pseudonym)
OUR PERFORMERS
Alice
Jaewon
Neil
Anonymous
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ABOUT THE NARRATIVES
These eight narratives were chosen for their diversity of speakers and different themes related to living with HIV/AIDS. Some of these themes include stigma, mother to child transmission, drug abuse, and the effect of HIV/AIDS on marginalized populations. Each narrative offers a unique perspective on living with HIV/AIDS, along with the different trials and triumphs of the individual’s story as told by their author. All of the narratives share some common elements such as poetic artistry, strength, and hope.
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CONTACT US
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NARRATIVES
AIDS 35 featured the reading of eight spoken word poems, written by HIV positive and affected artists.