Emmanuel Trilljo Recites A Beautiful Poem About Finding That Special Someone
Style, charisma, and soul. No matter what nationality or background, spoken word has slowly but surely becoming a new way to define one self.
Not only is it world wide but school wide also. For the last two years Riverside Community College has utilized spoken word and offered the students a chance to express themselves.
When I found out that RCC was holding spoken word performances open to the public I was more than thrilled to attend. Coming from a poetic background myself I was happy to see individuals my age taking an interest in writing and expressing their feelings in front of their peers. Not only was the event very well prepared but the club members were welcoming and the attendance was exceptional.
Adam Lopez, president of spoken word, believes that "Spoken word is here to provide opportunities for students to speak their mind artistically and appropriately"- as also stated in their mission statement.
He lives by the motto, speak your mind. When I asked Adam why he got involved he replied, "I wanted to get the students to speak".
The day was followed by numerous performances by students' attending Riverside Community College. Angela De La Cruz, another club member, also took advantage of this time reciting poetry followed with her version of the song "Apologize" by Timbaland ft. One Republic. Her reason for joining the club was the fact that they were "very open and non judgemental. I felt that I had to speak my mind; it also helped me open my mind to how our generation sees the world."
I was amazed to how many bystanders eventually helped support and got involved.
Spoken word is a style of performance that began in New York City and became popular amongst African Americans in the early 90's. Spoken word was adopted by college circles in the early 80's. It was a way to express the growing Postmodern Art Movement
The diversity that filled the air that day was more than moving. There was no limit to what people could do. From personal trials and tribulations to a simple monologue everything was out there in the open. Like student Ronnie Washington stated, "Spoken word if I had one word to describe it I would say sincere. It's raw, honest, and true. There's nothing counterfeit all natural".
Adam Lopez President Of The Spoken Word Club Gives His View Of Spoken Word
I believe that not only was the event an important one for the school but the fact that we had real everyday students involved. Nothing was rehearsed every moment was as it went. It kept me there because I was interested with what other people my age had to say. How do they go on with everyday ways of life and still manage to make the best of what they have?
Emmanuel Trilljo former spoken word president also attended and when interviewed after the performances he said something that stayed with me. "It starts with us; we first have to change ourselves in order to change people. If we're not being the change then how do we expect to see a change in others?"
