Arts & Entertainment

Blackout uses poetry to empower

By Udochi Igbokwe
The Daily Cougar

Language is the essence of humanity, and poetry is the essence of language.

Spoken word, a popular genre of performance poetry with roots traceable to the villages of Africa and the cafes of Harlem and Greenwich Village in the 1930s, has recently gained new life in urban areas and college campuses across the country.

M. Kahlil Taylor/ Blackout

Helping to spur this new interest in poetry is a group of poets called Blackout Arts Collective-Houston Chapter. Founded in New York City in 1997 by activists from local colleges and universities, the organization has since become a nationwide social, literary and cultural movement from the east and west coast in nine different chapters. The Houston chapter was established in i02.

The groupis mission is to "empower communities of color through arts, education and activism, and utilize the arts to address both social and economic issues in the society."

BAC-Houston Chapter weaves together spoken word, poetry and music to create a web of highly intriguing performances by members Marcell "Cell Therapy" Murphy, Karega, J. "Savvi" Fowler, Ifeanyi "Resonance" Okoro, Eric "E-Quality" Blaylock, Sylvester "Sly" McGrane, Keisha "Tower of Power" Freedman, Hahleemah, Sandria "WaterPoet 69" Basile, visual artist M. Kahlil Taylor and violinist Corey Johnson. This group of eclectic individuals exudes style, persona and distinctiveness.

In a society where poets, artists and musicians are often thought of as people who just "feel and vibe," Blackout strives to eradicate the stereotypes associated with poets.

"We are not just a group of people who got together and said, ‘letis start a group;i this is highly organized," Murphy, the groupis organizer, said.

Each member of Blackout is a college student or graduate currently active in community projects. By performing in education and family development centers, Blackout takes its performances from the stage to the community.

Its national project, "Lyrics on Lockdown," takes the performances into the prison industrial complex, reaching those who are often considered unreachable. Recently, members also performed poetry written by poets inside prison, on death row and those who have already been executed. 

Blackout-Houston goes beyond the parameters of traditional poetry and creates a live and vibrant experience between the poet-performers and the audience. With the ability to empower as well as inspire, Blackout-Houston is a breath of fresh air.

BAC-Houston performs Wednesday nights at Hyenas Cafe from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and this Thursday night at The Breakfast Klub. Call 713-942-0052 for more information.

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