Around 30 people sat around the Lancer Cafe stage for an open mic night honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday, Jan. 26. The event began with a performance by slam poet Alex Tha Great before she opened the stage to any member of the audience. To honor King, the performances ranged from topics on equality, love, racism and forgiveness.
Alex Tha Great’s inspiration for her poems comes from her life experiences. She said, “It’s the truth; all I know is the truth.”
She has been writing poetry since age 13, and has been preforming since 2011. She also performed at the “Women of the World Poetry Slam” this past year. In that performance, she talked about a black man who has been warn down by war and the trials of life. Her poem acts as a call to action as her final line states, “Stand up black man, and get your blessing.”
In order to prepare for a performance, Alex said, “I think about where I am going and practice, a lot.”
After the audience gave Alex some snaps, a few students who decided to share their talents. Local musician Joel Worford entertained the crowd with two songs, singing and playing on his guitar.
Worford has played for five years and enjoys performing classic rock and roll. However, for this event, he played a few gospel songs in order to set a tone of love and respect for King.
Remarking on his performance, he said he was “a little nervous,” but he was glad that he could contribute to the event.
Another performer was a student named Anthony Jackson. Anthony said he’s been writing since he was in the fifth grade but when he was younger, he mostly sang. On stage, he recited a few of his original poems, one of which he had just begun to scratch into his notebook.
One of his poems was addressed to President Donald Trump. It questioned his views on equality by referencing the violence at the 2017 Charlottesville rally and Trump’s statement that there was good and bad “on both sides.”
Each performance was given respect and appreciation from the crowd by way of their collective snapping. Occurring near the close of MLK week, this event not only let students share their talents but also reminded them that they too have a voice.
