The Soft Glow of Brightly Burning Hope The overall tone for this appears more "Cleverly/Perfectly written public speech" than poetry. Granted I know the cultural definition and categorization of Poetry is incredibly wide and rather ill defined, but for my own mental model I'd group this more with the well worded intellectual tirades of Stand-up comics/public speakers the likes of Colbert, Stewart and Oliver than with slam poets. Sort of a "is all speech poetry if cleverly worded" issue I believe. This may very well be an argument of nomenclature, and therefore relatively pointless because to each their own, but feel free to reflect or counterpoint.
Skyler Alsever I'll concede that this is not the typical slam format but I think that's the point of slam to through out the format. Consider it what you will I consider it this satire to be something of a different breed compared to Colbert or Stewart. Jean however claimed that these are not poets I assume he means spoken word poet are not "real" poets and that this is not poetry when as you said poetry is what ever the audience wants it to be. I understand that may or may not take away the power of the word poetry but the word it self describes things that describe things that are hard to describe do you see how this can get confusing and how poetry can be whatever poetry wants to be.
There's no such thing as "asking for it". Clothing is not consent, drunk is not consent, friendliness is not consent, consent is consent. Stop making excuses for the actions of rapists and hold them responsible for what they do. It is never the fault of the victim; it's the fault of the twisted mind and lack of self control of the attacker. Period.
Sure, that is true, but regret does not negate consent. Both men and women can make bad decisions. If you consent to have sex while having a boyfriend, you cannot just cry rape when your boyfriend finds out. And if both the man and woman are intoxicated, you cannot cry rape.
I'm seeing the same comments over and over again: "This is stupid, if a woman dresses provocatively walking alone in a dark alley: she shouldn't be surprised if rape happens." (paraphrasing/summarizing everyone's comment). (EXTREME TRIGGER WARNING:RAPE) Here is the blunt, sad reality; most rape victims (70%) were raped by someone they KNOW. There is no creeper-hiding-behind-the-bushes involved. It's that friend that has been trying to get laid and waited for your guard to drop down; whether you two were alone or intoxicated, doesn't matter. It's the romantic-partner that did NOT listen to the "no" and said "if you love me then you'll do it". It's the abusive step-parent that took advantage of you; and your biological parent refuses to believe a word you're saying. It's the creepy uncle/aunt that has been gawking at the little 6 year-old you: how in the WORLD would a 6 year old be asking for it? And guess what, it happens to men and children too. Can you say *they* were dressed provocatively? Sorry fellas, the whole "dressed to provoke" has LITTLE to do with it. Women and clothes have little do to with this. We're (women) just speaking up about it more, and fortunately people are beginning to listen (slowly, but surely. Then we get the ignorant comments written similar to the one I've provided in the first paragraph). I feel sympathetic for the male victims, and children of all genders, whose stories are not taken seriously.
She's not implying that all rape victims are those that are dressed provocatively. She's just addressing one of the many problems with rape. There are a lot of people that believe that women deserve to get raped on the way they dress. This is very frustrating and she felt the need to make a point. That doesn't mean she takes the other cases of rape less seriously.
I disagree. Random acts of violence happen towards women all the time because of strangers. Here are some extreme examples: www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/street-harassment-is-runn_b_4004394.html And sadly how you dress does have something to do with it. Have you heard of slut shaming? Rapists will use dress as an argument all the time why they raped someone. Slut shaming regarding the victim's appearance is a thing, by the rapist and people that hear about it. So, yes, in instances of gender-based violence and harassment, "dressed to provoke" does have something to do with it. Mentioning pedophiles and incest is valid, but I'm telling you, but these are all sexually motivated crimes and appearance is a MAJOR factor. From my own life, more times than I can count men have honked at, whistled, yelled lewd things etc, ALWAYS regarding my appearance. One time some passerby on a sidewalk even called me a whore because I was wearing a dress and in high school an old man told me he was going to do bad things and followed me home. The whistling and such is commonplace behaviour among entitled men that see a woman dress nicely or in skimpy clothing. It's disgusting, but that's why they do it: they are forgoing conscious thought and saying "I want to fuck you" because they think you are dressed to elicit their sexual attraction. I think you're missing her point.
Mary Poppins My friend, age 16, wears yoga pants and a sports bra to store, hears a woman telling her young daughter "don't dress like that or you'll get raped." Wears skirts and low neckline shirts to school. She deserved it/ asking for it. What she was wearing when she was raped? Sweats and a baggy sweatshirt. And I know that womens appearance in clothing CAN turn men on, but it is not our job to dress to stop their boner. They have to understand that women are not asking for unless they ask with their mouths.
MEGAme9783 That's darn right. Why would we use clothing to ask people to have sex? No, just no. Plus we shouldn't have to change how we dress and express ourselves to avoid this kind of attention. It creates fear, social anxiety and an unequal world. That's incredibly backwards, that lady saying such a thing. It's like people think of rape and harassment of women as women's issues that women are in control of preventing. But (because the majority of rapists are men), they are men's issues. And whether or not most rapes are truthfully initiated because of a woman's state of dress, your friend's story is proof that in reality it's not always about appearance. So what she said to her daughter doesn't hold water. What we still tell each other is that it IS about appearance, implying that potential victims should be controlling ourselves. The responsibility for the crime is completely the rapist's. I'm sorry about your friend. Man..If I heard someone say that to their daughter I would have to say something. Now you can eat your words, lady. Terrible.
I was in health class and we were talking about rape a few of the boy and girls say girls were asking for it, by the way they dress. I was so upset, but now I'm going to bring up that conversation in health and use some of this poem's points. Thank you. Love this poem. Love you for writing it and sharing it.
In my opinion, hers was the clearest, well thought, precisely delivered answer that I've heard. She has definitely cleared up any misunderstanding as to " is she asking for it or not" that any of us could mistake. If anyone after hearing her does not understand this, then there is no hope for them. Asking for it should always come from a sober, conscious person from they're own mouth using they're own words, and of course not under any duress. Thank you so much for your clarity, hopefully some of those cave dwellers will see this and learn. Hopefully all of us will see this and learn from it. Thank you for so plainly speaking what any of us should already know! I really feel that it will help save some from such brutality!!!
Exactly, because she asking for it as she squirm in their gasp screaming "no" "please don't" "get away for me" "stop" until it's just tears and silence
ehh. Although i understand what you're saying, you still have an obligation to look out for yourself. You have to realize there's bad people out there and everyone has to be cautious. For instance if i were a woman, i wouldn't be dressed provocatively during a night of heavy drinking. I would be aware of the possibilities and if I chose to, I know i would be running a risk. Its not about rape culture. There's rape in every culture and always has been. Even in the animal kingdom. You need to have the cautionary survival instincts to protect yourself from that harm.
gtaatmiami I appreciate the spirit in which your post was written, but I simply don't agree with it. It's one thing to tell women to take care of themselves, it's another to blame them which (based on certain cases of judges and juries letting rapists walk, and the low levels of reporting) is what we do in our society. I also think it's silly to claim a woman's clothes cause rape. Rapists will rape no matter what, from here to the conservative Middle East. That's just that.
Scorpia161 yea but just how rapists are going to rape no matter what, robbers are going to steal no matter what as well. But wouldn't you want to make sure you keep your doors locked and set the alarm before you step out of your house? Wouldn't you want to refrain from wearing your rolex while riding the subway? Or how about refrain from walking down a dark alley in a sketchy neighborhood at night. Those are precautionary measures one must take to prevent harm. You can say that is restricting my movements but isn't that a necessity to avoid being robbed or harmed? How does that not mirror a woman taking precautionary measures to avoid being raped/harmed?
People aren't things so the stealing analogy isn't appropriate--thieves don't hear the car screaming and crying as they break into them, women aren't things to be treated as the rapist sees fit. And following your logic women would have to never leave the house (a majority of rapes occur between people who know each other).
"Impending apocalypse of naked" is probably the best line I've heard in awhile. I absolutely love the way she has tackled a serious issue with both brilliance and humour.
I can't love this video enough. I have probably played this video about a dozen times in the last 24 hours. Also! I shared on Facebook, because this is a message that needs to be passed on to everyone! Thank you to the poet!
I've watched this video more then 10x and every time I listen to it I get chills running up my spine and I always smile because finally someone says something about this, thank you Anna!
Seeing videos like this on the internet give me hope that things will change. And then I scroll down and read the comments and that hope is very quickly shattered.
Love this poem, for the simple reason that humor cuts through mental defenses where raw anger just causes them to flair. Just enough joking to make people really think.
To the people saying "but if I walked down the street with wads of cash hanging from my pocket, I don't deserve to get robbed, but it's probably gonna happen." Yes. But you just said exactly what the lady in the video was saying. Is it more likely that someone's going to get harassed if they're wearing less clothing? Possibly. Does that mean they're asking for it (or in any way deserve it)? No? GOOD. IT'S FUCKING AGREED. WHAT WAS YOUR ARGUMENT EVEN.
"How do you take something out while putting something i" omfg I started coughing. I know I shouldn't laugh, but this line was just so amusing to me...
i like this poem actually, it clears things out about women's clothes and how it does not speak all about themselves but that's the thing about rape, you don't ask for it.
"I don't put on my special salt costume; I ask for the salt. With my word place." LOVE IT!
Ana Leigh I died laughing
"Stop asking people's clothing to have sex with you and start asking people." This is my new favorite quote. Hands down.
I think I just fell a little bit in love.
Friend I have fallen in love with too many poets over the internet I may have a poet fetish.... I wonder if there's a costume for that
ilyem999 yes, put on some glasses, a beanie and always bring around a quill! :D (this is how i imagine a poet costume would look like)
***** Yes it is is spoken word or slam poetry in my opinion its better then written word
The Soft Glow of Brightly Burning Hope The overall tone for this appears more "Cleverly/Perfectly written public speech" than poetry. Granted I know the cultural definition and categorization of Poetry is incredibly wide and rather ill defined, but for my own mental model I'd group this more with the well worded intellectual tirades of Stand-up comics/public speakers the likes of Colbert, Stewart and Oliver than with slam poets. Sort of a "is all speech poetry if cleverly worded" issue I believe.
This may very well be an argument of nomenclature, and therefore relatively pointless because to each their own, but feel free to reflect or counterpoint.
Skyler Alsever I'll concede that this is not the typical slam format but I think that's the point of slam to through out the format. Consider it what you will I consider it this satire to be something of a different breed compared to Colbert or Stewart. Jean however claimed that these are not poets I assume he means spoken word poet are not "real" poets and that this is not poetry when as you said poetry is what ever the audience wants it to be. I understand that may or may not take away the power of the word poetry but the word it self describes things that describe things that are hard to describe do you see how this can get confusing and how poetry can be whatever poetry wants to be.
"I ask for the salt with my word place." OMG this is incredible.
My favorite line as well :)
Wade Davis What?
There's no such thing as "asking for it". Clothing is not consent, drunk is not consent, friendliness is not consent, consent is consent. Stop making excuses for the actions of rapists and hold them responsible for what they do. It is never the fault of the victim; it's the fault of the twisted mind and lack of self control of the attacker. Period.
Sure, that is true, but regret does not negate consent. Both men and women can make bad decisions. If you consent to have sex while having a boyfriend, you cannot just cry rape when your boyfriend finds out. And if both the man and woman are intoxicated, you cannot cry rape.
@@robertjames7014 🤨📸
I'm seeing the same comments over and over again: "This is stupid, if a woman dresses provocatively walking alone in a dark alley: she shouldn't be surprised if rape happens." (paraphrasing/summarizing everyone's comment).
(EXTREME TRIGGER WARNING:RAPE)
Here is the blunt, sad reality; most rape victims (70%) were raped by someone they KNOW. There is no creeper-hiding-behind-the-bushes involved. It's that friend that has been trying to get laid and waited for your guard to drop down; whether you two were alone or intoxicated, doesn't matter. It's the romantic-partner that did NOT listen to the "no" and said "if you love me then you'll do it". It's the abusive step-parent that took advantage of you; and your biological parent refuses to believe a word you're saying. It's the creepy uncle/aunt that has been gawking at the little 6 year-old you: how in the WORLD would a 6 year old be asking for it? And guess what, it happens to men and children too. Can you say *they* were dressed provocatively?
Sorry fellas, the whole "dressed to provoke" has LITTLE to do with it. Women and clothes have little do to with this. We're (women) just speaking up about it more, and fortunately people are beginning to listen (slowly, but surely. Then we get the ignorant comments written similar to the one I've provided in the first paragraph). I feel sympathetic for the male victims, and children of all genders, whose stories are not taken seriously.
You are my fucking hero.
She's not implying that all rape victims are those that are dressed provocatively. She's just addressing one of the many problems with rape. There are a lot of people that believe that women deserve to get raped on the way they dress. This is very frustrating and she felt the need to make a point. That doesn't mean she takes the other cases of rape less seriously.
I disagree. Random acts of violence happen towards women all the time because of strangers. Here are some extreme examples: www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/street-harassment-is-runn_b_4004394.html
And sadly how you dress does have something to do with it. Have you heard of slut shaming? Rapists will use dress as an argument all the time why they raped someone. Slut shaming regarding the victim's appearance is a thing, by the rapist and people that hear about it. So, yes, in instances of gender-based violence and harassment, "dressed to provoke" does have something to do with it. Mentioning pedophiles and incest is valid, but I'm telling you, but these are all sexually motivated crimes and appearance is a MAJOR factor.
From my own life, more times than I can count men have honked at, whistled, yelled lewd things etc, ALWAYS regarding my appearance. One time some passerby on a sidewalk even called me a whore because I was wearing a dress and in high school an old man told me he was going to do bad things and followed me home. The whistling and such is commonplace behaviour among entitled men that see a woman dress nicely or in skimpy clothing. It's disgusting, but that's why they do it: they are forgoing conscious thought and saying "I want to fuck you" because they think you are dressed to elicit their sexual attraction. I think you're missing her point.
Mary Poppins My friend, age 16, wears yoga pants and a sports bra to store, hears a woman telling her young daughter "don't dress like that or you'll get raped." Wears skirts and low neckline shirts to school. She deserved it/ asking for it. What she was wearing when she was raped? Sweats and a baggy sweatshirt.
And I know that womens appearance in clothing CAN turn men on, but it is not our job to dress to stop their boner. They have to understand that women are not asking for unless they ask with their mouths.
MEGAme9783 That's darn right. Why would we use clothing to ask people to have sex? No, just no. Plus we shouldn't have to change how we dress and express ourselves to avoid this kind of attention. It creates fear, social anxiety and an unequal world. That's incredibly backwards, that lady saying such a thing. It's like people think of rape and harassment of women as women's issues that women are in control of preventing. But (because the majority of rapists are men), they are men's issues. And whether or not most rapes are truthfully initiated because of a woman's state of dress, your friend's story is proof that in reality it's not always about appearance. So what she said to her daughter doesn't hold water. What we still tell each other is that it IS about appearance, implying that potential victims should be controlling ourselves. The responsibility for the crime is completely the rapist's.
I'm sorry about your friend. Man..If I heard someone say that to their daughter I would have to say something. Now you can eat your words, lady. Terrible.
LMAO I loved this! She made an excellent point in a way I haven't heard before and delivered it with power AND humor. Well done!
"Don't worry, you won't get salmonella. Unless you ask for it."
80th lik3 :3
SHE SLAYED IT I'VE NEVER FELT SUCH LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR SOMEONE
I have a special salt costume what are you talking about
But in all seriousness this is fantastic
I was in health class and we were talking about rape a few of the boy and girls say girls were asking for it, by the way they dress. I was so upset, but now I'm going to bring up that conversation in health and use some of this poem's points. Thank you. Love this poem. Love you for writing it and sharing it.
In my opinion, hers was the clearest, well thought, precisely delivered answer that I've heard. She has definitely cleared up any misunderstanding as to " is she asking for it or not" that any of us could mistake. If anyone after hearing her does not understand this, then there is no hope for them. Asking for it should always come from a sober, conscious person from they're own mouth using they're own words, and of course not under any duress. Thank you so much for your clarity, hopefully some of those cave dwellers will see this and learn. Hopefully all of us will see this and learn from it. Thank you for so plainly speaking what any of us should already know! I really feel that it will help save some from such brutality!!!
How have I just now seen this? This is by far one of the best slam poems I've heard in relation to the topic
it's slam poetry?
The world needs more people that think similarly to this woman.
Thank you. Yes. Exactly. As if someone's clothes say more then their freaking mouths do.
Exactly, because she asking for it as she squirm in their gasp screaming "no" "please don't" "get away for me" "stop" until it's just tears and silence
ehh. Although i understand what you're saying, you still have an obligation to look out for yourself. You have to realize there's bad people out there and everyone has to be cautious. For instance if i were a woman, i wouldn't be dressed provocatively during a night of heavy drinking. I would be aware of the possibilities and if I chose to, I know i would be running a risk. Its not about rape culture. There's rape in every culture and always has been. Even in the animal kingdom. You need to have the cautionary survival instincts to protect yourself from that harm.
gtaatmiami I appreciate the spirit in which your post was written, but I simply don't agree with it. It's one thing to tell women to take care of themselves, it's another to blame them which (based on certain cases of judges and juries letting rapists walk, and the low levels of reporting) is what we do in our society. I also think it's silly to claim a woman's clothes cause rape. Rapists will rape no matter what, from here to the conservative Middle East. That's just that.
Scorpia161 yea but just how rapists are going to rape no matter what, robbers are going to steal no matter what as well. But wouldn't you want to make sure you keep your doors locked and set the alarm before you step out of your house? Wouldn't you want to refrain from wearing your rolex while riding the subway? Or how about refrain from walking down a dark alley in a sketchy neighborhood at night. Those are precautionary measures one must take to prevent harm. You can say that is restricting my movements but isn't that a necessity to avoid being robbed or harmed? How does that not mirror a woman taking precautionary measures to avoid being raped/harmed?
People aren't things so the stealing analogy isn't appropriate--thieves don't hear the car screaming and crying as they break into them, women aren't things to be treated as the rapist sees fit. And following your logic women would have to never leave the house (a majority of rapes occur between people who know each other).
I loved how she wrote about a serious topic but worked humor into the poem, all while getting her point across.
"Impending apocalypse of naked" is probably the best line I've heard in awhile. I absolutely love the way she has tackled a serious issue with both brilliance and humour.
This was more than perfect. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank YOU.
Absolutely amazing. Not only did she inform but she also eased any tension. *que the applause*
This is outstanding. Probably my favorite poem!
so many that the view counter overflows and goes back to zero
One of the best and meaningful poems I've heard so far!
this is just beyond perfection
I can't love this video enough. I have probably played this video about a dozen times in the last 24 hours. Also! I shared on Facebook, because this is a message that needs to be passed on to everyone! Thank you to the poet!
It's impressive how she mixed in humor and sense in a poem in order to totally capture the interest of the audience. I love her!!
*claps viciously for the rest of her life*
SO GLAD I DECIDED TO WATCH THIS
this poem gives me life
I've never added anything to my favourites before
i logged in just to like and favorite this. absolutely incredible.
I love this wayy to much. This needs to be shared every where
I've watched this video more then 10x and every time I listen to it I get chills running up my spine and I always smile because finally someone says something about this, thank you Anna!
I had to tone down my enthusiasm for this poem. It was in all caps. This is so on point. So so so much.
amazing! a must watch. fantastic fantastic fantastic!
Seeing videos like this on the internet give me hope that things will change. And then I scroll down and read the comments and that hope is very quickly shattered.
Beautiful.
Bless this girl
I honestly feel like saying this is perfect is an understatement. It is absolutely impeccable.
THIS ! IS ! AMAZING !
This is by far my favorite slam poem ever.
Her style of poetry reminds me of Neil Hilborn
they both have this shamelessly aggressive and mocking tone, it's great
Exactly!! They're both amazing
Shit what the Fuck
Oh my god I love this!
I STAN THIS
Outstanding.
This is quite literally the best poem I've ever heard.
"I ask for the salt...with my word place!"
Need to find ways to refer to my mouth as a "word place" more often!
I actually say it all the time ever since I saw this XD My boyfriend will go silent about something amd I'll be like "Use your word place!!!"
Love this poem, for the simple reason that humor cuts through mental defenses where raw anger just causes them to flair. Just enough joking to make people really think.
. Best. Poem. Ever.
That was fantastic!
Creativity to the max!!! I loved this :)
This was so powerful I love this
I just applauded. Amen to this!
I began to love poetry for the sake of this poem❤️💕💕
Brilliant! I want to meet this girl, she totally rocks!
hands down, the best thing I've ever heard
This poem is beautiful
Amazing.
This is one of my favorite slam poems of all time.
You are perfect. This is perfect.
beautiful work I wish I had her gift for words so I could describe adequately how much I loved this!!
To the people saying "but if I walked down the street with wads of cash hanging from my pocket, I don't deserve to get robbed, but it's probably gonna happen." Yes. But you just said exactly what the lady in the video was saying. Is it more likely that someone's going to get harassed if they're wearing less clothing? Possibly. Does that mean they're asking for it (or in any way deserve it)? No? GOOD. IT'S FUCKING AGREED. WHAT WAS YOUR ARGUMENT EVEN.
magical. a true inspiration.
Yeeeesssss!!! You are phenomenal. I love this! Explosion. Vision. Master of words. Yes!
my mouth is hanging open in amazement this is beautiful.
That. Was. Amazing!
SO creative. Absolutely brilliant. Loved it.
that last statement. everyone write it down and etch it into ur brains ok ty.
That was beautiful.
Macalester turns out some damn good poets.
Thank you
Love this!!!
This was just amazing. I have no words too describe this, it was that great.
I keep on watching this over and over this is amazing
Never has anything been so perfect
YES YES YES THIS IS AMAZINGGG
this is so cool. I love how aggressive she is for this. good job!
This was great. Loved it.
I loved it! This is so well put together!
this is absolutely brilliant
I'm crying , this is perfection
*slow claps it out in front of her computer screen* That was incredible. Thank you.
"How do you take something out while putting something i" omfg I started coughing. I know I shouldn't laugh, but this line was just so amusing to me...
This is freaking amazing.
brilliant twist of humor to a very serious issue. I was smiling through the whole thing!
This is my favorite slam poem of all time.
Yes, oh my god that was great.
Worded brilliantly. I love the satire but the truth in it..... Need to stop laughing to myself like a nut.
incredible. love it
The ending of her speech was so epic it deserved a mic-drop.
I love this so much.
I love this!! I constantly quote it with my friends and it get the point across so well! Keep writing Anna!
Wow. This is exceptionally brilliant. New fave
I litertally loved this!
This is perfect.
This is brilliant!
Wow. That was HILARIOUS, but powerfully true.
Amazing
i love this i love this i love this i love this
Yes!!! Amazing!!!
Wow that was amazing!!!!
i like this poem actually, it clears things out about women's clothes and how it does not speak all about themselves but that's the thing about rape, you don't ask for it.
This is so amazing!