on safe space and slam

[succulentpoet]

This is for anyone who is a poet, runs a venue, or attends poetry slams semi-regularly: do you have any guidelines about maintaining the slam as a safe space?

In any open forum, there is the capacity for sexism, racism, homophobia; for oppression; for threats; etc. And while freedom of speech is paramount to the success of slam, it can also be a

Comments

[beeblefish]

I haven't been to many slams. I am a poet, and I love poetry. But I don't go to slams because, when I do, I don't enjoy myself. It's not that I don't feel safe, because as a man I have a good deal of power, and I'm not constantly being flirted with or hit on like many of the women I know who are part of slam communities. But I am offended by either racist, sexist, ablist, homophobic, or classist views being expressed through poetry, people's 'personas' or often just by people themselves. So I don't go, it's not for me. There is some awesome slam poetry, and some awesome slam scenes, but I think those are the ones that make an effort to to be anti-oppressive. I don't mean they need to be progressive-minded activism-oriented circles, far from it, but not threatening and oppressive to their less centred members--creating a safe space for expression-- would be nice. 'Free speech' without check or balance isn't for everyone and just ends up reinforcing the power-dynamics already out there in the world. Sad but true.

[beauty_seeker]

i find this to be quite interesting. one of the things that has disappointed me about slams i've attended has been the sexist and racist remarks and stereotyping galore. lots of scolding and finger pointing, but i have to say that a lot of what i've heard has been directed towards men, in particular balding men, and people who are overweight. i am not one to talk about race, but i have noticed that it's ok at slams for the performers to make stereotypical comments about white people. i don't feel comfortable in environments where the main preoccupation is to make fun or hurt anyone or to make generalizations about race, colour, body type or hair and have this be acceptable. it reminds me too much of high school; it's childish and frankly, neither informative nor entertaining. why would it ever be ok for anyone to proclaim that men are stupid, for example? why should that be acceptable at all? i vote with my feet and my pocketbook and simply don't attend such events. but i have to say that safety is not an issue for me, rather i get

[faust_mckenzie]

Hey new slammaster, I'd like to give you a giant high-five for starting such a lively and interesting discussion. I'm glad to see that you're taking on the difficult issues, and debating them. With you sagely presiding over our slam, I feel certain that it will become a safer space. Generating awareness about this issue could, in itself, have a big impact. Keep on asking the hard questions! You are tres awesome.

[shannons_words]

i applaud the question by the way

i had to deal with this as an organizer in MB the hard way, after the fact

its a grand idea to start posing the question now

i put in some comments in response to someone else about how to make things safer, but it sounds like others have said the same

out of curiousity has anyone ever directly talked to the performers that have done pieces that perpetuate violence and hate? i would be curious their views, because I can't even begin to guess what they would be, I'd like to know their thoughts/perspectives and what drives them to say the things they say

[superjill]

Wow, I was completely unaware that these were issues.

I thought at first you were referring purely to what happens on stage, and I was going to caution straddling the line of censorship. But I didn't realize all the off-stage goings ons.

:(

Is this a conversation you should be having with other slam masters?

[superjill]

(in addition to, not instead of us :)