With wordplay, rhythm, and rhymes, Jaguars proved that other poets were Not Like Them at the sixth annual John B. Cade Poetry Slam on Thursday, October 17.
The Dean of Libraries, Dr. Dawn Kight kicked off the event with a warming smile and welcoming statement to the diverse crowd of students, alumni, and Baton Rouge community members. Dr. Donovan Segura, Associate Vice Chancellor of the Agriculture Center, entertained the crowd as MC. Despite his flamboyant personality and keen sense of humor, Dr. Segura takes the poetry slam very seriously.
This is his fourth year hosting the poetry slam and says he keeps coming back because he has, “a great appreciation for the creative minds our students have”. Dr, Segura explains that events like the poetry slam are “critically important” because “it gives students an opportunity to really express themselves outside the classroom.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
A multitude of poems were performed touching on diverse topics such as matriculating through grief, dealing with societal pressures, and violence in the community. Using words as their weapons, poets battled through three rounds for prizes and bragging rights.
Ultimately, one poet’s raw emotions and metaphorical rich stanzas won over the judges- thirty-seven year old Trell Walker. This Scotlandville native uses poetry as both a preservation and reflection of life,
“It’s not just my words, it’s what I see, who I come in contact with- to tell our story”.
Started as a teenager, Trell says, “growing up […] dealing with anger, writing was a therapy”. To this first place winner, poetry is a way of life and has helped him, “alleviate and approach situations differently”. That Thursday afternoon, Mr. Walker took home two tickets to the Bayou Classic and beared the fruit of his creativity.
Both Trell and Dr. Segura agree that the John B. Cade Poetry slam is an event beyond entertainment- it is a crucial platform to promote artistry and expression.
