*Trigger warning *: This post references the current gun violence epidemic in the United States.   Dayton. El Paso. Gilroy. Parkland. It seems like every time I read a headline, a different city is reeling from another mass shooting. With reports that

The #MeToo movement, founded by activist and TIME’s 2017 Person of the Year Tarana Burke, has spoken truth to power by confronting predatory men and opening secrets of sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in industries from film to fast food.

If you’re looking to find the Golden State’s local rhythm, look no further. Los Angeles offers a handful of impressive poetry slams for those looking for a friendly competition. With slams geared toward high school students, hip-hop artists, Filipino poets

When people think of poetry epicenters, New York City and Los Angeles are likely the first literary birthing grounds that come to mind. Though these amazing cities on either side of the country regularly top lists of the most literary

Armed with a microphone and speaker, poets spill their words from ear to ear across the lawn. A voice carries a message of love with a goal to stomp out the flames of bigotry. A poet, who is about fifteen,

“The 24-hour news cycle,” “fake news,” “news alerts”—these phrases seem to sweep through our society, inspiring op-eds, psychological studies, and political talking points. 

Literature, including poetry, has long been a vehicle for thought-provoking political resistance and commentary outside of the dominant and privileged perspective.

It’s a common misconception that poetry and popular culture are mutually exclusive—that high art and refined taste are reserved for the elite, and pop culture is candy made for the masses. But if we take a closer look, we’ll find

Imagine if Ginsberg never lived in New York, or if Thoreau never visited Walden Pond, or if Maya Angelou never left the little town of Stamps, Arkansas—how different would American literature be? American poets typically have a certain flavor to

From civil rights to women’s liberation to Black Lives Matter, poetry has been a way to rail against complacency and oppression. These six poets—brave enough to share personal experiences, unpopular points of view, and lesser-known narratives—have shed light on the