The Power of Docupoetry in Capturing Authentic Stories

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This chapter explores the power of documentary poetry to give a voice to everyday people and connect with different audiences. It emphasizes the importance of collective efforts to address issues like the abuse of women, children, and men. The speaker discusses the use of language in documentary work and highlights how documentary poetry examines systems and structures that perpetuate oppression and complicity in society.

Rooted in reality, written with a keen observer’s eye, and shaped with a sense of song, documentary poetry tells the truth in an artist’s voice. For generations, through wars, crisis, and political upheaval, documentary poets have helped make sense of some of our most difficult moments – by expressing what might otherwise be impossible to say. So what are they writing about today?

This episode was produced in partnership with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.

Original Air Date: January 13, 2024

Interviews In This Hour:

The gospel of Suncere Ali Shakur — This is how I drew you — The poetry that bears witness to the everyday

Guests:

Philip Metres, Suncere Ali Shakur, Kaia Sand, Camille Dungy

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