Member-only story

Nuyorican Poetry: From the Sixties to Slam Contemporary North American Poetry

Jules Verne

·16.7k Followers· Follow

Published in In Visible Movement: Nuyorican Poetry From The Sixties To Slam (Contemporary North American Poetry)

5 min read

70 View Claps

16 Respond

Save

Listen

Nuyorican poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of poetry that emerged in the 1960s among Puerto Rican poets in New York City. The term "Nuyorican" is a portmanteau of "New York" and "Puerto Rican," and it reflects the unique cultural identity of these poets, who were born and raised in the United States but maintained strong ties to their Puerto Rican heritage.

In Visible Movement: Nuyorican Poetry from the Sixties to Slam (Contemporary North American Poetry)

by Ken Wheaton

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2157 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	230 pages

Nuyorican poetry is characterized by its use of Spanglish, its focus on urban life, and its exploration of themes of identity, race, and culture. It is a powerful and expressive form of poetry that has had a significant impact on American literature.

Origins of Nuyorican Poetry

The roots of Nuyorican poetry can be traced back to the 1950s, when a group of Puerto Rican poets began meeting in Greenwich Village to share their work. These poets, including Piri Thomas, Miguel Algarín, and Sandra María Esteves, were inspired by the Beat poets and the Harlem Renaissance, and they sought to create a new kind of poetry that reflected their own unique experiences.

In 1973, Miguel Algarín founded the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The cafe quickly became a hub for Nuyorican poets, and it provided a space for them to perform their work, share ideas, and build a community.

Themes of Nuyorican Poetry

Nuyorican poetry is a diverse and multifaceted genre, but there are certain themes that recur throughout the work of Nuyorican poets. These themes include:

* Identity: Nuyorican poets explore their own personal and cultural identities, often through the lens of race, ethnicity, and gender. They question what it means to be Puerto Rican, American, or both, and they challenge traditional notions of identity. * Urban life: Nuyorican poetry is rooted in the urban experience of New York City. Poets write about the city's streets, its people, and its culture. They celebrate the city's diversity and energy, but they also expose its poverty, violence, and inequality. * Culture: Nuyorican poets draw on their Puerto Rican heritage to create a unique and vibrant poetic language. They use Spanglish, borrow from traditional Puerto Rican folklore, and explore the cultural traditions of their ancestors.

Impact of Nuyorican Poetry

Nuyorican poetry has had a significant impact on American literature. It has helped to expand the definition of American poetry, and it has inspired a new generation of poets who are exploring their own cultural identities and experiences.

Nuyorican poets have also been active in the slam poetry movement, and they have helped to bring slam poetry to a wider audience. Slam poetry is a competitive form of poetry that is performed in front of a live audience. Poets compete for prizes and the chance to advance to the next round of competition.

Slam poetry has become a popular way for poets to share their work and connect with audiences. It has also helped to break down barriers between different genres of poetry and has created a more inclusive and welcoming space for poets of all backgrounds.

Nuyorican poetry is a powerful and expressive form of poetry that has had a significant impact on American literature. It is a poetry of identity, urban life, and culture, and it is a poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers today.

In Visible Movement: Nuyorican Poetry from the Sixties to Slam (Contemporary North American Poetry)

by Ken Wheaton

4.5 out of 5