They laid their words down: The Collective visits Elon
Nuri Abdur-Rauf / Copy Editor
Students got the opportunity to hear some perceptive and
intuitive thoughts from very talented artists hailing from
the Triad area Sunday evening in the Zone.
Members of spoken word group The Collective appeared to
share their works with students in an event hosted and
organized by the Black Cultural Society.
Although the weather was dismal, it did not stop students
from coming out. Trudging through the swiftly falling
snow/sleet/rain mix, students gathered in the Zone to hear
what they hoped would be some talented artists.
Things got off to a comfortable start, with people sitting
around, thawing out, eating and having friendly
conversations.
The Collective’s host and Elon alumna from the class
of 2001 Christina Ryals, gave her perspective on spoken word
and how it has played into her life while talking with a
group of students and reminiscing on her college days.
“Please believe I had no intention of becoming a
part-time teacher and starving artist,” Ryals said.
“It’s such an awesome time to be alive. I may be
living hand-to-mouth, but I’m happy.”
This exuberant attitude was felt by all The Collective
artists in attendance, and couldn’t help but spill over
into the student audience.
Even as they arrived late due to the increasing snow and
difficult directions to campus, each artist walked in with a
smile and greetings.
Students gathered into a semi-circle and got cozy in the
Zone’s plush couches and chairs. Ryals welcomed all who
had gathered and stepped onto the stage for an introductory
poem.
“There’s power in the spoken word. Not just
poetry, but everything that comes out of your mouth,”
said Ryals.
She then beckoned the viewers closer, asking them to pull
their chairs closer to the stage to be more connected to the
poets, saying “We’re all family.” And they
did.
After a basic overview of The Collective and its purpose,
Ryals began the introductions of her fellow members, bringing
each front and center, ushered by rousing applause and love
from the audience.
First Josephus took the stage, followed by Mekkah, then Tina
and finally D. Noble.
“I’ve learned you have to mumble before you can
talk,” Josephus shared. “You have to crawl before
you walk.”
Senior Melissa Jordan, organizer of the event and BCS
treasurer, introduced one of her lifelong friends and spoken
word artist, Jason Reynolds, who also shared.
“If the sky is really the limit, then what happens
when it rains?” Reynolds said.
Each time, the audience was greeted by words put together
into phrases put together into thoughts, all deep and
reflective. Even the microphone was eliminated after the
first performer. It simply was just overpowered by the
passion coming from the mouths of the artists.
They spoke words of faith, purpose in life, love, rhythm,
breakups, war and the black family. They talked about
breakups and how ideas are formed.
“Finding freedom, for me,” D. Noble said,
“was like being in that proverbial haystack trying to
find a needle.”
As if the words weren’t reason enough to incite random
screams of agreement and outbursts by audience members, the
artists used body language, sound effects, inflection and
emphasis to make their words felt.
Soon, the audience grew from 15 gathered in an intimate half
circle to nearly 40; some standing, some sitting in booths
along the walls, some standing in the doorway just passing
by.
Due to the weather, the open mic portion at the end of the
show was eliminated. Needless to say, everyone in attendance
left with a little bit of extra warmth to face the cold.
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