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This is One of Those Stories We Don’t Just Tell for Fun

Meaghan Ford in the midst of spoken word poetry
As we near midterm elections, there is increasing tension and political dialogue about a myriad of subjects. Particularly as of late, spoken word poetry has gotten a reputation from critics for being “too preachy”. Often times, it is assumed that poets who address social justice issues are “complaining instead of acting”.

During her performance, Meaghan Ford describes her experience with her sexual assault story being told by a friend without her consent. She states, “The only power you still have in is who you tell…. I’ve had a lot of things taken from me, but this story has always been mine.”

Ford’s story reminds us of the power of words, and how words hold the power to hurt as much as they have the power to reclaim one’s lived experiences. As the midterm elections approach, this performance is a reminder that there is power in words, and how we use words informs how we confront systemic violence and oppression. Regardless of whether or not we all share the same lived experiences, using our words, like through spoken-word poetry, creates an opportunity for dialogue—which is, in essence, one of the deepest values of the Honors Journal.

Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGQH_0QM0uo