Politics. On Point.

You're a poet, and you know it. You know you’re a bonafied poet when you’re invited to the White House to recite your work in front of the First Lady of the United States and your peers. First Lady Michelle Obama recognizes the 2016 Class of National Student Poet with poetic snaps. (Photo/CD Brown). The 2016 class of the National Student Poets Program (NSPP) bought their imagery of the world, culture and poetic stylings to the White House Thursday were they were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama was noticeably brought to tears as she reflected on the brilliance of this year’s ‘Poetic Five’. “If you ever wonder if what we do makes a difference, it does", she said.  This year’s class consisted of a diverse group of tenth and eleven graders representing the mid, south, north, and western regions of the United States. WATCH Alumni: 2015 Class of National Student Poets Maya Eashwaran of Georgia reflected in her poem, Linquistics , ...

America lost the greatest social and political activist of our time, Gil Scott-Heron, last Friday, May 27.  He was 62. Such an icon is worth mentioning by the current Administration if only for Scott's brilliant poetry, genius, intelligence, insight, and lyrical ability to express through song what America's people have and still are, going through. In this piece, Did You Hear What They Said , Scott speaks to war and the men (in this case) who have died in the U.S. military. The images in the video production portray a very grim, but poignant reminder of the conditions of U.S. veterans returning home from war. "Did you hear what they said", sings Heron.   "They said another brother's dead.  They said he's dead, but he can't be buried.  They said he's dead, but he can't be buried. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon.  This can't be real.  Did you hear about his mother and how she cried?  They said because her only son was dead." ...