Poetry Society (PS) hosted the 15th annual poetry event, The Color of Drums (TCOD), in Pease Auditorium, as a part of the campus wide celebration of Martin Luther King Day, Jan.13. The show was composed of multiple skits performed by Poetry Society relating to topics found in today’s society revolving around the theme, "The American Day Dream".
TCOD is where poetry and acting collide onstage. The show started with a mix of inspirational and uplifting music courtesy of a live DJ. Each member of Poetry Society lined-up onstage hand-in-hand shouting, “No justice, no peace.” Followed by each person reciting a line relating to justice and peace in society today before exiting the stage.
The show had a host and co-host that provided comedy and eased the transition between acts. The host started by thanking God and everyone in attendance. He then read a short monologue about oppression and an injustice society.
The skits performed were: Language of the Unheard, Silent Matters, A Threat to Justice Everywhere, A House Divided, A Burden to Bare, and Nothing to Lose.
Language of the Unheard was about two roommates who got into a heated disagreement over the news of yet another white police officer killing a black man.
“My black is electric and cannot be harnessed by this white syste,.” said a ne poet he expressed his view.
Silent Matters was about women in prison and male correction officers that take advantage of them.
A Threat to Justice Everywhere was about a wife who had suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in the military and how her PTSD affects her everyday life and relationships.
A House Divided was about a police chief, two officers, and the incidents of racist vandalism that have occurred on campus.
A Burden to Bare was about how a young woman was taken into a sex trafficking ring with several other girls.
Nothing to Lose was about a girl with multiple personality disorder who robbed a bank with the other personalities living in her brain.
Diversion Dance Troupe also performed at TCOD in addition to a collection of poems being performed by an alumni poet.
“I thought it was really cool how they acted out their poems and how they brought light to problems in the black student community,” said Kyra Garrison, EMU student.
