Poetry is not dead.

Proving this statement is the mission of Milton ‘Ranik’ Jackson and Kendall ‘Chosen’ Exume, known together as Poetry to the People. The duo is coming to Syracuse University as part of the ‘I Have A Dream Week’ with a performance tonight at 7 p.m. in Watson Theater.

Known by their nicknames, Ranik and Chosen are poets, performance artists and human rights advocates who present an uncensored look at contemporary issues through a more informal format: stereo poetry written in metaphorical layers. They are two voices with one message.

‘Poetry to the People as a group is not really an important thing,’ Ranik said in an e-mail. ‘But the poetry and the people are. Poetry is a form of creative expression that seems to be unpopular. Poetry to the People tries to help audiences view poetry as a force behind change, to address topics that we face in everyday life.’

The group tries to bring a unique flare to performance poetry like the poets on HBO’s spoken-word show Def Poetry.

‘The central message is that poetry can do many things,’ Ranik said. ‘It can be used as a tool to empower social movements as the poets of the 60s, like The Last Poets and Sonia Sanchez did. It can be used in relationships, to avert feelings of anger, as a therapeutic tool or as something to just have a good time with.’

When watching the group perform in video, available on their official Web site, the absence of music and pyrotechnics is reminiscent of cafe-style poetry slams.

In an excerpt from the video, the duo says in unison: ‘See, I love this poetry because nowhere in this industry does anyone try to loathe me for being proud of the fact that I put these words together strategically…’

Individually, both members earned honors for their activism and civil rights work. Chosen was recognized by Eastern Connecticut State University in 2005 with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Distinguished Service Award. Ranik has also been recognized by Eastern Connecticut State University and nominated for the Hartford (Conn.) Courant’s Tapestry Award for the promotion of diversity and understanding through his poetry.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life Diversity Committee, showcases two craftsmen trying to make a difference using spoken word as their tool. This is the group’s first time performing at the Hill, but they already have a list of notable performance places including Columbia University and Northeastern University.

‘I encourage everyone to come out and check out what we have to say,’ Ranik said. ‘You will not be disappointed.’

Published on January 23, 2008 at 12:00 pm