This activity has two parts. First, watch several spoken word poetry videos. As you watch the videos, think about what might have influenced the poets to write their poem. What were their influences? Who are they speaking to? What are they talking about? Consider where their inspiration for their poem came from. Were they influenced by their culture? Society? History? After watching the videos and completing your notes, add your response to the prompts provided to the discussion board. Discuss with your classmates what their thoughts are about the videos.
Socially relevant
How people lived, trends, and what people believed at that time
Culturally relevant
The arts and popular interests associated with a particular time and place or common experiences (religion, race, geography, ethnicity, etc.)
Historically relevant
What was happening in the world when the poem was written or other historical events from the past