Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Hernandez, Sarah
Area of Concentration
Sociology and Spanish Language and Culture
Abstract
I seek to understand how and why artists can use poetry events to co-create meanings, feelings, and understandings in the service of social justice movements. Previous research on this topic has come from different disciplines and been limited to specific cases. Research on social movements does not look at these gatherings. This case study is a valuable addition to the study of social movements and expands the framework of scholarship on the significance of poetry in society. I observed an open mic in Sarasota, Florida, conducted qualitative interviews with four of the participants, and performed literary analysis on some of the poems shared that night. I found the open mic can be a unique space for community building and vulnerable dialogue on controversial topics. Through conversations and audience engagement (such as applause and cheers), attendees co-created a place where they could relate to each other in more intimate and respectful ways than typical of public spaces. The depth of impact depends on the attendees’ attention and openness. Attendees who participated as performers described deeper connection to the event than those who only listened.
Recommended Citation
Hadwen, Becca, "CRAFTING THE NEXT WORLD THROUGH POETRY" (2022). Theses & ETDs. 6240.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6240