Speaking Truths: Young Adults, Identity, and Spoken Word Activism

Young adults are leading the charge in protests demanding social justice, and spoken word poetry is contributing to a broader understanding of contemporary social justice activism. Sociologist Valerie Chepp's book Speaking Truths explores how spoken word poetry contributes to a more just and equitable world by emphasizing personal storytelling and "truth," using aesthetics and emotions to politically engage across difference, and making social justice messages relatable across a diverse public.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

The twenty-first century is witnessing a surge of protests demanding social justice, with young people taking the forefront in every instance. However, in addition to the traditional street protesters carrying handmade placards, there is a growing group of young adults engaging in less obvious change-making tactics. In her book, Speaking Truths, sociologist Valerie Chepp delves into the world of spoken word poetry and its role in shaping contemporary social justice activism.

Through detailed observations and in-depth interviews, Chepp showcases the stories of a diverse group of young adults from Washington, D.C., who use spoken word as a powerful tool to create a more just and equitable world. She explores the emphasis on personal storytelling and "truth" in spoken word activism, the strategic use of aesthetics and emotions to bridge differences, and the significance of healing in sustainable movements for change.

Chepp weaves together the poetry of these young adults with their personally told stories, demonstrating how spoken word can tap into the beautiful, emotional, personal, and therapeutic aspects of language. By empathically connecting with others, advancing intersectional and systemic analyses of inequality, and making social justice messages relatable across a diverse public, spoken word activism serves as a powerful means of advocacy.

This activist approach is deeply integrated into the everyday lives of its practitioners, both online and face-to-face. Chepp argues that spoken word activism is a product of and a call to action against the neoliberal era, highlighting the need for alternative forms of expression and empowerment in the face of systemic injustices.

In conclusion, Speaking Truths offers a compelling exploration of the role of spoken word poetry in shaping contemporary social justice activism. Through the stories of these young adults and their powerful poetry, Chepp sheds light on the ways in which spoken word can be used as a tool for empathy, understanding, and change. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of social justice studies and a testament to the resilience and creativity of young people in the fight for a more just world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978801103