RISE SLAM: working with Respect

Respect as a Theme

Before you begin to write, you must have an understanding of the theme. The most effective way of doing this, and of inspiring energetic poems, is to get together to discuss the theme. The following are some examples of simple springboards into debate:

  • What does the word 'respect' mean to you?
  • What are the issues that affect young people living in London?
  • What makes London different to other parts of the country?
  • Would you feel as safe (list a series of activities like 'walking at night') or safer in other parts of the country?
  • How many different communities are there in London? Name them. Do you think any have been excluded? (race, gender, sexuality)
  • What are the issues that affect specific communities in London?
  • Is there racial tension in London? If so, how can it be eased?
  • Is there an area in London that you do not feel safe in? Why?
  • What is the best thing about living in a multi-cultural city?
  • Is there a group of people or a community that you do not like? Why?
  • What are your thoughts and feelings about gangs in London? Why do you think they exist?

Stimulus

  • Try a role-play exercise which looks at the issues facing young asylum seekers in London. Imagine that you have been forced to flee to another country where you do not speak the language. Consider the experience of the asylum seeker.
  • Although no music may be used in the Slam! itself, it is often an excellent place to start when writing performance poetry. Choose a track each and bring it into the lesson /session, listen to the lyrics, the rhythm and the pace of the track, and then continue the lyrics and the style of delivery. This is only a beginning point, and the actual performance poem may vary radically from the original inspiration, but it is a good way of exploring the similarities between music and poetry.
  • Poly-vocal work: simply explained this is the creation of a poem as a piece of music. Imagine there is a team of four poets who want to work together. Get them to divide the piece up according the textures of their voices. It may be divided using a verse or a sentence each, but the most interesting results can come from dividing single words, even to the extent of splitting syllables up. A team can create a musical back-beat with their voices using a single word - eg DRUM - that is repeated while the other members build up the poem layer by layer, in much the same way that music is created. Their voices are musical instruments. Teams may also use more traditional forms like rap, or hip-hop, or freestyle.
  • The News: Be topical, read the local newspaper for community issues. Alternatively, you may choose to look at the wider picture, and respond to any number of government initiatives like Operation Trident (a recent police led project which targets 'black on black' crime in the city.)
  • Ask if there are any ways in which you feel your community has been misrepresented. Name the ways. Discuss. Redress the balance.

A sample of workshop ideas/ exercises written by the performance consultants is available from the Poetry Society.