- Playing
- "Johnny 5'11" by Matthew Ewing
- From
- WBEZ
Louder Than a Bomb brings you the 2005 finalists from this nationally-renowned teen poetry slam, hosted by Young Chicago Authors. Featuring remarkable work about identity, race relations, gun violence, police brutality, relationships with parents, God, Islam, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and gentrification these young writers hold very little back.
Each piece included in the series is a titled performance piece. Without introduction, a template for host-introduction is offered here (under additional materials). These pieces would work well aired independently or as a series in locally produced programming that is looking to add a youth perspective. This is debut series.
The Young Chicago Authors - Louder Than a Bomb teen poetry slam is now in it’s fifth year, bringing poets ages 13-19 years-old together in a safe space that emphasizes community building, education, and youth empowerment. By carrying on the rich tradition of oral storytelling and the spoken word, the 2005 Louder Than a Bomb teen poetry slam engaged over 400 youth participants representing over 30 schools and community organizations. The eight teams that were invited to the final round, each presenting one group piece and two individual pieces, are presented here.
Louder Than a Bomb is produced by Breeze Luetke-Stahlman and distributed directly to public radio stations through PRX.
Also in the Louder Than a Bomb 2005 series
"Uncrowned King" by Fredique Bautista
(02:48)
From: WBEZ
The powerful voice of one Hispanic young man tells it how he sees it: striving for inspiration and encouragement from the man he’s suppose to see as a leader, President Bush ...
"Church Girl" by Lydia Muñoz
(03:19)
From: WBEZ
Hear this remarkable narrative of one girl coming to terms with the sexual molestation she faced “from the man I called ‘tio’.” Powerful, straight-forward and real, Lydia ...
"Can You Hear Me?" by Fredique Bautista, Susana Medina, Jorge Mena, Lydia Munoz
(02:54)
From: WBEZ
This powerful group piece shares facts and statistics of the current state of free speech in the United States, arguing in favor of the 1st Amendment and calling for the ...
"Cañon" by Alberto Che Guevara
(01:45)
From: WBEZ
In this poem a young Chicago author tells us about the power of the gun.
"Humboldt Park" by José Perez, Cassandra Figueroa, Alberto Che Guevara, and Janeida Rivera
(03:08)
From: WBEZ
A poem about a group of young Chicago teens' experience growing up on the west side of Chicago, in the "murder capital of the country."
"Untitled" by Janeida Rivera
(03:15)
From: WBEZ
A Chicago teen tells a poem of the demise she sees from gentrification as she walks through her own Chicago neighborhood.
"Not Another Race Poem" by Ari Fulton, Daria Shelton, Jessica Supreme Disu, and Jeffery Lewis
(03:04)
From: WBEZ
Four young Chicago authors bring you this poem about not being afraid to write or talk about issues other than oppression though race, religion, and sex, emphasizing the need ...
"Baby Girl" by Jeffery Lewis
(03:00)
From: WBEZ
Chicago teen Jeffery Lewis speaks powerfully about the impact of HIV/AIDS.
"Encore" by Jessica Supreme Disu
(03:05)
From: WBEZ
A poem by a Chicago teen about her calling to mix the personal with the political, resulting in poetry.
"Cancer" by Dianna Harris, Shanava Monson, Jon Ortiz, and Jose Olivarez
(02:50)
From: WBEZ
Four Chicago teens read a poem that weaves together the stories of three different cancer patients - focusing on their battle between life and death.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Louder Than a Bomb brings you the 2005 finalists from this nationally-renowned teen poetry slam, hosted by Young Chicago Authors. Featuring remarkable work about identity, race relations, gun violence, police brutality, relationships with parents, God, Islam, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and gentrification these young writers hold very little back. Each piece included in the series is a titled performance piece. Without introduction, a template for host-introduction is offered here (under additional materials). These pieces would work well aired independently or as a series in locally produced programming that is looking to add a youth perspective. This is debut series. The Young Chicago Authors - Louder Than a Bomb teen poetry slam is now in it’s fifth year, bringing poets ages 13-19 years-old together in a safe space that emphasizes community building, education, and youth empowerment. By carrying on the rich tradition of oral storytelling and the spoken word, the 2005 Louder Than a Bomb teen poetry slam engaged over 400 youth participants representing over 30 schools and community organizations. The eight teams that were invited to the final round, each presenting one group piece and two individual pieces, are presented here. Louder Than a Bomb is produced by Breeze Luetke-Stahlman and distributed directly to public radio stations through PRX.
Related Website
xian barrett
Posted on May 27, 2005 at 06:11 PM | Permalink
Review of "Johnny 5'11" by Matthew Ewing
If justice is done and this piece ever sees air-time, it'll be one of those frozen moments where people pull their cars over to the side of the road, stop in the middle of their shopping and get soaked by the produce sprinklers, stop typing and put their work on pause.
I wish anyway... Police brutality is one of the most evident portions of the great racial divide. Even those nice cuddly liberal white folks tend to have trouble believing poor youths of color's countless experiences over our great law enforcement system's wall of approval for such atrocities. The rest of us who have to experience that "here we go again" feeling everytime we cross paths with the cops, have a little different take on who to believe.
I hope that listeners here and in the future a wider audience will give Matt's piece a chance to bridge that gap in perspective.