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KQED's Forum

How Poetry Serves Civic Life

Apr 3, 2025
Join Fresno Poet Laureate Joseph Rios, El Cerrito's Tess Taylor, and former San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin as they explore the vital role of poetry in civic life. They discuss how poetry can bridge cultural gaps and foster empathy within communities. The guests unveil exciting projects, from new poetry curriculums to multi-generational workshops, aiming to inspire future poets. With personal reflections on place and identity, they emphasize poetry's transformative power in creating connections and promoting local narratives.
57:53

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • California poet laureates emphasize poetry's role in community engagement and nurturing the next generation of poets through local initiatives.
  • The podcast highlights poetry's transformative potential for individuals and communities, serving as a medium for dialogue and empowerment across diverse voices.

Deep dives

The Role of Poetry in Community Engagement

The podcast emphasizes the significant role of poetry in fostering community engagement and enriching civic life. Poets from various California cities discuss how they utilize their talent and recognition to support local literary initiatives. By securing funding from the Academy of American Poetry, they create projects aimed at nurturing the next generation of poets. These efforts include poetry programming in schools, which enhances the imaginative capabilities and cultural awareness of students while encouraging them to express their unique experiences.

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