The Convergence Era

On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we're joined by members of The Dope Poets collective: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Lady Kay, Jerome Heka, and Brittany Barker-Waweru. In this episode, they take a journey through some of the most influential eras in Black poetry, exploring movements such as the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and The Last Poets, while discussing how each period shaped the evolution of the art form and the role of the poet in society. The conversation then turns to a timeless question: Do poets have an obligation to speak on social and political issues, or is poetry free to exist outside of activism? From there, they examine the current state of spoken word and contemporary poetry, arguing that the art form feels as though it is experiencing a new period of creative flourishing. They wrestle with whether "renaissance" is the right word to describe this moment and brainstorm what future generations might ultimately call the era of poetry we are living through today. The episode also explores the importance of mentorship in poetry. The group reflects on the relationships between emerging poets and more experienced artists, discussing why poetry elders are essential to preserving the culture, passing down tradition, and helping cultivate the next generation of writers and performers. Tune in to the ninth episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.