Consider the roles played by creative writers as advocates, witnesses, organizers, eco-champions, and defenders of marginalized communities. At the intersections of environmental, social, racial, and gender justice, these writers, poets, and musicians bring light to relevant themes in their work, readings, awards, contests, and public protest. From the early Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau in Walden to Rachel Carson‘s Silent Spring, to the Native American stories of Louise Erdrich, there is a proud tradition and growing body of activist-writers. Peruse these collected poets and writers who address broad societal issues. Then, read excerpts or synopses, as provided, and let three (3) of these artists speak to you through their passion for speaking out!
Poems of Protest, Resistance, and Empowerment | Poetry Foundation
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Select up to three (3) voices (vocal artists, poets, fiction/non-fiction writers) for your reflection in this Discussion on the creative voice as public conscience. Respond here in 8-10 sentences on the writers whose work you read and speculate on the impacts of their writing on humankind in the quest to grapple with contentious societal justice (SJ), environmental justice (EJ), or other intersecting issues that require the artistic imagination, creative problem-solving, and collaborative solutions.
Note: For this assignment, if you have a favorite performer or artist who elevates pressing issues, you may use that person as one of your three selected writers, artists, or performers for this Discussion.