Yale’s Spoken Word Groups Ignite Community and Creative Expression

Yale University’s spoken word performance groups, ¡Oye! and WORD at Yale, are fostering community and self-expression among students through the art of poetry. These groups create supportive environments where individuals can explore vulnerability and creativity, pushing the boundaries of traditional written poetry. On November 7, 2023, WORD hosted its fall semester showcase titled “Word on the Street,” presenting a diverse collection of freeform poetry that interconnected human experiences and emotions.

On November 16, 2023, ¡Oye! will present its showcase called “Bittersweet,” centered around themes of nostalgia and longing. Faven Wondwosen, a co-president of WORD, emphasized the unique atmosphere of slam poetry. “For just a few minutes when you’re up on stage, you’re creating a space where everyone feels similarly, where everyone feels the same. It’s a moment of mass empathy,” Wondwosen said.

The power of spoken word poetry lies in its ability to turn written words into a shared experience, transforming potentially isolating page poetry into a collective event. Over the past weeks, ¡Oye! members have been preparing for their upcoming performance by writing pieces inspired by the theme of “Bittersweet.” Their sessions begin with students sharing personal highlights and challenges, fostering a vulnerable environment that encourages creativity.

Emily Singh, ¡Oye!’s artistic director, remarked on the diverse interpretations of prompts used during writing sessions. “If I throw one word out there, I can have 20 different replies, but it’s still a community, and we all get it,” she said. This collaborative spirit allows poets to engage deeply with each other’s work, enhancing their individual expressions.

Sara Ramos, another co-president of ¡Oye!, highlighted the benefits of having a bilingual audience, as the group performs in both English and Spanish. Audience engagement is integral to their shows, with attendees encouraged to express their support through snaps and vocal affirmations. The name ¡Oye! reflects the group’s roots in Spanish-language poetry, meaning both “hey” and “listen,” and it celebrates its affiliation with La Casa Cultural while welcoming poets from all backgrounds.

Olutola Britto, ¡Oye!’s publicity chair, shared his personal journey into poetry. He first encountered the group during a Cultural Connections poetry night at Yale, although he began writing poems years earlier during his service in the U.S. military. “When I was in Iraq, I used to host poetry nights with a group of soldiers to just express themselves,” Britto explained. He found a sense of community and expression within ¡Oye!, which resonated deeply with his passion for poetry.

WORD’s meetings are structured similarly to those of ¡Oye!, allowing members to share their experiences before diving into writing and sharing poems in both small groups and larger gatherings. Wondwosen expressed appreciation for the rapid creativity within the group, noting, “It’s nice to be reminded of all of the art and the talent that can exist so quickly.” The immediacy of the writing process often leads to beautiful pieces emerging in a short time frame.

The spoken word format emphasizes elements such as rhythm and delivery, which distinguish it from traditional poetry. Singh noted, “When you listen to spoken word poems, they have this insane control of the rhythm and rhyme scheme that flows so naturally.” This dynamic approach allows poets to incorporate their unique styles and expressions into their performances.

In addition to their main showcases, WORD regularly collaborates with other campus groups for smaller events. For the past two years, they have partnered with the Undergraduate Jazz Collective, combining poetry and music to create an immersive artistic experience. Wondwosen remarked on the historical roots of poetry slams in jazz clubs, emphasizing the significance of these collaborative performances.

The “Bittersweet” showcase will take place at 19:00 in the common room of Ezra Stiles College, promising an evening of emotional and impactful performances. Through their dedication to spoken word, both ¡Oye! and WORD at Yale continue to enrich the university’s cultural landscape, providing platforms for students to express themselves and connect with one another.