Thanks to a few reckless spring breakers who have appeared on the news for partying despite directives to stay home, young people have gotten a bad rap during the COVID-19 pandemic. But not all of them are out risking public health. In fact, most are staying home and watching Tiger King like good Americans should. And others have been doing much more than Netflix bingeing to make good use of their time.
Thanks to Southern Word, a nonprofit that helps young people find and share their voices through poetry, spoken word and music programming, young people can make the most of sheltering in place by attending virtual creative workshops and tuning in to online events. With a focus on high schoolers and college-aged people, Southern Word’s work seems as crucial as ever to help youths navigate the ambiguous future that lies ahead as a result of this pandemic.
Last week’s “Grow Through What You Go Through” open mic, for example, provided an online platform for young adults to focus on mental health. Livestreaming on YouTube, performers took turns sharing their work, which covered topics like obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder, through poetry, spoken word and song. Hosts Rashad Tha Poet and Gabriela Gonzales responded to each piece with questions and supportive comments. Meanwhile, spectators were encouraged to interact by commenting below the video. A representative from STARS, a nonprofit that addresses social issues like bullying, also took the cyber stage to field questions about mental health and suggest resources for coping with personal struggles. Where conflict and contempt can be so common online, it was extremely refreshing to experience the vulnerability and support made possible by this program.
Although Southern Word usually hosts workshops in public spaces, such as libraries or college campuses, they have ramped up their online offerings to provide plenty of opportunities to engage with poets and mentors. With free weekly workshops focusing on fiction writing, beats and demos, live-mix sessions, DJing, music production and more, the nonprofit provides an outlet for any young person to take advantage of. Workshops are available every week, and you can check out Southern Word’s event calendar to get a full schedule.
The Scene reached out to Southern Word via email to talk about the nonprofit’s mission and its response to COVID-19:
Southern Word develops, places, and pays writers and music mentors to teach young people in schools and community organizations. With schools and community organizations closed, we struggle to do our work and reach youth. However, Southern Word is founded in innovation, starting in 2008 by implementing spoken-word youth development and education programs on a wide scale in Middle Tennessee. At the same time that COVID-19 is devastating our world, this is another challenge with opportunities. We are discovering new, amazing ways to connect with each other, serve youth, build youth community, and create platforms for youth voice. Programs are free and made possible by community support.
This support comes from a partnership with the Nashville Public Library and funding from Metro Arts Commission and Tennessee Arts Commission.
