Poetry has been, since time immemorial, an act of resistance against oppression. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, stated, “One must resist oppression or lose one's dignity as a human being.” Poetry and art are deeply tied to human dignity, which is in turn connected to freedom. Therefore, to talk about poetry is also to talk about democracy; writing is a revolutionary act that reminds us that democracy must be defended and nurtured every day.

In this "Poetry and Resistance" workshop, we will focus on poets who chose to resist oppression through their poetry. For instance, Latin American poets who, despite the risk, wrote courageously during the military dictatorships in South America in the 70s and 80s, as well as LGBTQ+ and African American poets who have sought to reclaim their identities and cultures through poetry. And Latine poets who have reclaimed space in the U.S. by writing their experiences into the American narrative, challenging erasure, exploring hybrid identities (Spanglish, Afro-Latina), and centering community. We will also dedicate a portion of our time to do some writing. Writing prompts will be offered (optional to use them). Those who wish will also have the opportunity to share their writings and receive respectful feedback from their peers.