“If you develop an eating disorder when you are already thin to begin with, you to go the hospital. If you develop an eating disorder when you are not thin to begin with, you are a success story.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Blythe Baird and a group piece from the House Slam team. Congratulations poets!
On October 29th and 30th, representatives of Button Poetry met with representatives of TruArtSpeaks at Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe in Saint Paul for a racial equity/social justice analysis and training moderated by Gabriella Anais Deal-Márquez of Voices for Racial Justice.
Over the course of the two-day meeting, we discussed details and addressed lingering questions in regards to last year’s prospective Button Educational Initiative and the events surrounding it, and their impact on individuals and communities in the Twin Cities. We also examined racial equity and social justice, and how they can be practiced and committed to both individually and organizationally, as well as the historical and present impact of oppressive systems and white supremacy. Many productive and valuable conversations occurred, and the meeting ended on a positive and encouraging note.
We at Button are committed to navigating our space in the Twin Cities poetry communities responsibly, equitably, and transparently. We would like to recognize TruArtSpeaks’ ongoing and invaluable work in the Twin Cities, and extend our thanks and gratitude to their organization for coordinating this training and this dialogue. We would also like to thank Gabriella for facilitating. Any questions from members of the community for Button Poetry in regards to this meeting, last year’s proposed initiative, or surrounding issues can be addressed to us at buttonpoetry@gmail.com, and we will do our best to respond thoroughly and promptly.
“Character is shy yet codependent, searching for love in all the wrong men.”
Check out this sharp poem from Amber Tamblyn, performing at Art Share LA.
“It must be nice to feel so safe you have to invent new ways to put yourself in danger.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Rudy Francisco, Sara Brickman, and Joel Francois. Congratulations poets!
Make sure to check out our amazing books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
“We came to get low, to get lower, to get underneath ourselves. We came to be free for once, even if it’s just a front.”
Don’t miss this awesome, uplifting poem from members of the House Slam team, winners of this year’s National Poetry Slam.
“When I tell you that my anxiety is a camera that shows everyone I love as bones, when I tell you that panic is a stubborn phantom—she will grab onto me and not let go for months—this is the part of the story when everyone is telling you to run.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Brenna Twohy, Raven McGill, and Effy Fritz. Congratulations poets!
Make sure to check out our amazing books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
“I can never forget how much death loves my people.”
Congratulations to Emi Mahmoud, winner of this year’s Individual World Poetry Slam. Check out this excellent new video of her performing earlier this year at the National Poetry Slam, and check out this interview and article about her victory at IWPS.
“My mom’s so independent, she doesn’t even need to date you! That’s how dateable my mom is!”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Joel Francois, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and Jonathan Mendoza. Congratulations poets!
Make sure to check out our amazing books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
“Love arrives exactly when love is supposed to, and love leaves exactly when love must. When love arrives, say, “Welcome. Make yourself comfortable.” If love leaves, ask her to leave the door open behind her. Turn off the music, listen to the quiet, whisper, “Thank you for stopping by.” ”
Check out this beautiful poem from Sarah Kay & Phil Kaye, performing at Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles. Read more about the poets and their work with Project VOICE here.
And make sure to visit the Button Shop for our amazing books and t-shirts, including a new bundle package of books from Cam Awkward-Rich, Danez Smith, Sam Sax, and Hieu Minh Nguyen!
