Quantum Justice: Global Girls Cultivating Disruption through Spoken Word Poetry

Girls of color from eight global communities use spoken word poetry to strategize on identity, social issues, and political policy, highlighting how the creative energy in hip-hop culture can mobilize girls to connect and motivate each other.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

Girls of color from eight global communities employ spoken word poetry as a powerful tool to navigate complex issues of identity, social justice, and political policy. Drawing from her extensive experience facilitating workshops for girls in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States, scholar, advocate, and artist Crystal Leigh Endsley emphasizes how girls use spoken word poetry to narrate their experiences, dreams, and strategies for survival and thriving. By centering the process of creating and performing spoken word poetry, this book explores how girls envision a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

In Quantum Justice, Endsley combines poetry, discourse analysis, photovoice, and other forms of artistic expression to develop a feminist theory of "quantum justice." This theory centers on the profound relationships between girls and their global counterparts, highlighting the ways in which collaborative efforts can yield powerful networks and ultimately chart trajectories of social change at the micro level. Through the lens of quantum justice, Endsley examines how spoken word poetry fosters transnational dialogue, empowering girls to connect, motivate, and disrupt the status quo through the power of spoken word performance.

One of the key insights of Quantum Justice is the recognition of the imaginative energy inherent in hip-hop culture. Endsley argues that hip-hop provides a fertile ground for girls to express themselves, challenge norms, and mobilize for social change. By leveraging the power of spoken word poetry, girls can tap into the cultural significance of hip-hop and use it as a platform to express their perspectives, experiences, and dreams. Through their performances, girls can inspire and empower each other, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among diverse groups of women.

Moreover, spoken word poetry offers a means for girls to address the systemic barriers and challenges they face in their communities. By using their voices and artistic expressions, girls can challenge the dominant narratives and power structures that perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Through their poetry, girls can raise awareness about social issues, advocate for change, and mobilize their peers and communities to take action.

Quantum Justice is a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of girls of color around the world. Through their spoken word poetry, these girls are not only expressing their identities and experiences but also shaping the future of their communities and beyond. This book provides valuable insights into the ways in which girls can use art and creativity to navigate complex social issues, foster empowerment, and drive social change.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477328064