Poetry at the White House – An Evening of Hip-Hop

Posted by Linda Sue Grimes May 22, 2009

The Obamas seem to like a little hip-hop versification with their hip-hop. This misnamed event lacked even the pretense in featuring poetry, much less a pretense of diversity .

On May 12, 2009, in the East room, the White House supposedly hosted a poetry event—“an evening of poetry, music and the spoken word.” Introducing the affair, President Barack Obama announced, "We're here tonight not just to enjoy the works of these artists, but also to highlight the importance of the arts in our life and in our nation.” The president dabbled in some poetry writing in college. His poetic efforts include “Pop” and “Underground.” While failing to rise to the level of poetry, Obama’s efforts do rise above doggerel to the versification level.

And then First Lady Michelle Obama told the selected audience, "enjoy, have fun, and be loose.” She also added that she intends to make the White House "a place where all voices can be heard." Well, maybe not really “all voices.” According to the New York Times’ Mike Hale, “All of the performers were either of color or married to Michael Chabon or Michael Chabon himself.”

The forty-five minute event featured nine performers, of which only three fit, albeit uncomfortably, in the category of “poetry”—Chicago poetry slam champion Mayda del Valle, Joshua Brandon Bennett, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, all of whose works represent hip-hop versifying. The remaining performances featured two jazz musicians, an actor, a novelist, an essayist, and a hip-hop musician.

Jamaica Orosio’s rap inspired, verse, no doubt, reminded the Obamas of sitting in church listening to their pastor for twenty years as the good reverend Jeremiah “God damn America” Wright pummeled the image of the country that the Obamas now serve as First Family.