On Friday, April 12, 2024, the Berkeley High School Student Led Arts Movement (SLAM) Spoken Word Club gathered for their first-ever Slam Poetry Showcase in the school library. Members of the club seized the opportunity to share their innermost thoughts and emotions with their friends, family, and BHS peers. Club members, along with two guest poets, performed a total of 15 poems that encompassed a wide range of personal themes. The audience was encouraged to interact and think about the performances, creating a unique environment of closeness and connection.
After a brief introduction and acknowledgement for the LGBTQ+ Day of Silence, the event kicked off with SLAM Spoken Word Club members performing a melodic duet. The performance power of the piece was seen again and again throughout the entire showcase.
The performance was followed by a piece titled “Microplastics” by BHS SLAM Spoken Word Club president and BHS junior, Julia Segre. “It’s kind of about how we have narratives around climate change that can feel so hopeless and inspire apathy. I think we can turn what we already have into a force for good in regards to climate change.”
Guest poet Gabriel Cortez joined the showcase and performed two poems. Cortez’s second poem was particularly notable, featuring resonating themes including the lineage of Berkeley and California as well as the power of education and student movements. Each of his performances employed a captivating rhythm that left an impact on the audience.
The next poet touched on themes of familial relationships and dynamics. Following that performance were three shorter poems about subjects including Palestine and the experiences of transgender youth in America.
“Whenever I’m anxious, stressed, or I have something really hard going on in my life, I write poetry. It helps me process my emotions and my thoughts,” said BHS senior Merhawi Solomon, who performed a striking poem about the effects of climate change and environmental racism, inspired by a series of wildfires that occurred in Chile this year.
The second guest poet of the night was environmentalist and Berkeley City Council Chair Member Terry Taplin. Throughout his two poems, Taplin juxtaposed Old English and ancient Greek against American slang. His creative performance felt refreshing and new amidst the more traditional poems.
Segre’s second performance of the night was a duet titled “Pomegranates” alongside one of her fellow club members. The poem used pomegranates and the story of Persephone to embody the meaning of love and romantic relationships for women who are living under the patriarchy.