If there was ever a good time for someone to use an inappropriate word, like the n word, I guess it would be when you we're learning how to write and perform spoken word poetry. I don't mean that there is ever an appropriate time to use the n word, but what I do mean is that our words have power, and this can provide us with an opportunity to learn and grow. The more I learn about spoken word, the more I have come to understand that a great piece has the power to transform our perspective, and speak out against social injustice.
The power of our words, social injustice, and service to others can all come together when helping students to create spoken word poems. These are big ideas and take several lessons, even weeks to weave together, which is exactly what we're attempting to do with our ArtsSmarts grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board. I see myself as the person who will lay the solid foundation of learning for our poet artist, Jordan Schultz.
Several weeks ago it came to my attention that someone in our class used the n word. I investigated and came to the conclusion that some of my students do not understand the power of the word, nor the history behind it. On a superficial level, they understand that the word is a no-no, but they are 11-13 year old children who do not have enough of an understanding of history to comprehend the pain this word inflicts. In fact, they hear it in music all the time, which seems to have created confusion.
The aim of our project is to create accepting and tolerant communities where we all see the value of other cultures, so this is teachable moment #1. I went searching on the internet for lessons on teaching about the power of our words. I came across a great website by the National Aboriginal Health Council. They have posted three lessons on bullying, and I used the last lesson on the power of words. Here is the lesson that I used:
If you read through the lesson you can see that the aim is to have students become more in tune with how it feels to say mean things as well as good things. As a teacher, it felt strange to have the students look into each others eyes and say, "You're an idiot, and no one likes you." It was also strange to have them write mean sentences on a paper and pass it on. I really had to encourage them to write and pass the paper on because it seemed so unusual to our regular school work. I really like the way these lessons unfold, and I do believe that they get the point across.
I tied this lesson into the story about the 13 year old Saskatchewan girl who wore the hoodie Got Land? Thank an Indian to school. After the news story broke, her Facebook page was flooded with mean and racist comments. After doing these lessons and using this news article as a foundation for our discussion, the students came to understand the power of words. They came to see themselves as having the ability to make a person's day brighter or more tortured. A pleasant side effect of this article was that the students were enraged that this girl was bullied about her hoodie. So now we have many of the ingredients for a great spoken word poem: an understanding of the power or words, a story that has sparked an outrage - a passion to speak out. We have also been learning about descriptive writing and poetry techniques such as alliteration and repetition. Now they just need time to write, and time to hang out with Jordan to work their pieces and find their voices.
As for the n word - we have gone briefly into the history, and after this project I can see that reading a book like Underground to Canada might be the next adventure.
Once again I have to thank The Saskatchewan Arts Board for their funding and support. Without their funding we would not have the help of the artists to tie this learning together into something meaningful and memorable. We are planting seeds that will take root now and influence over a lifetime.
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