With energy and power, performers led the night through spoken word.
Feminism, gender equity and body image were some of the topics discussed at the F-Word Live Poetry Slam.
The University of Idaho Women’s Center put on the annual event to entertain and educate students and the Moscow community, while celebrating feminism through poems and spoken word.
Hundreds of UI students came together in the Vandal Ballroom to support spoken-word artists and hear their unique perspectives on feminism and other social issues.
Beginning the event, Bekah MillerMacPhee, assistant director of programs for the Women’s Center, introduced a volunteer from Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse. The volunteer discussed the organization’s purpose — to be a free and confidential resource available for anybody who has experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.
Before any performers took the stage, co-MC and performer Traci Craig explained the history of F-Word Live. She said the event came to UI in 2005 and has reoccurred almost every year since.
“We are super excited that people are here,” Craig said. “We’re super excited that this is becoming an annual event that people are attending and coming to and we hope that you’ll put it on your calendar for next year.”
MillerMacPhee and Craig provided the audience with entertainment and humor while presenting performers. This kept the audience engaged and energetic between performances.
While attending spoken word events like F-Word, snaps and other gestures are an essential part of interacting with the poets during their performances, MillerMacPhee said.
Throughout the event, the audience snapped when they found particular statements interesting and hummed when they agreed with something. A few people yelled out “preach,” when they were particularly passionate.
Craig gave the first performance of the night titled “Fickle Feminist,” which focused on feminism and women’s rights.
Throughout the rest of the night, students and Moscow community members performed poetry of their own to portray their perspectives on feminism and other social issues such as diversity and equality.
Some artists performed pieces that discussed serious topics like their personal experiences with sexual assault and other violence. Many of the performers brought their own sense of individuality to the event as they poured their hearts out through poetry.
Lolo Ramos — a spoken-word artist who performed a piece called “Body Songs,” which described her personal struggles with body image — said she had a great time at the event.
“For me, personally, I felt it went really well, although I was incredibly nervous,” Ramos said.
With 14 performances, the F-Word Live Poetry Slam was an overall success, Craig said, bringing the community together in support of local performers.
“I think tonight went great … the turnout gets better and better every year, and any year where we have to add chairs (to the audience) is a good one,” Craig said.
Savannah Cardon can be reached at [email protected]