Alliance: Rockin' the Mic Against Rape
Rockin' the Mic Against Rape
- a creative space where we meet
- a cultural happening where we speak the truth
- a sanctuary where we fortify our conviction that
NOT IN OUR CITY activists organized the first Rockin the Mic Against Rape event at Joe's Pub nightclub in [1] June, 2006. This night of poetry and music launched what we hope will become a tradition of "creative speak outs."
The evening opened elegantly with Malcolm X's daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, the event host. Ilyasah, who recounts surviving sexual assault in her book, [2] Growing Up X, introduced our featured headliner, [3] Toni Blackman.
Toni is an accomplished spoken word poet of the "free style" improvisational school. She also created an organization to empower other women at the mike, the Freestyle Union. That night, she melded poetry and music into a powerful night of hope and rage for the rape crisis community. [4] Check out the pictures.
Everyone had such a good time that we decided to do it again.
So in September, Rockin the Mic Against Rape held a Night of Sound and Fury at the Bowery Poetry Club [link to Bowery Poetry Club flier]. Performance artist [5] Piper Anderson, hosted an open mic of over 8 amazing spoken word artists and poets! [6] Check out the amazing people who performed.
So many people came to speak out that time ran out before everyone got the chance to take the stage, so plans are underway for the next Rockin' the Mic Against Rape! Join NOT IN OUR CITY to help organize one in your community.
[1]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/media/nioc/postcard.pdf
[2]: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/growingupx/
[3]: http://www.myspace.com/toniblackmanmusic
[4]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/album_11.html
[5]: http://www.piperanderson.com/
[6]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/album_12.html
Copyright © 2000-2008 by The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault