#UofTGrad18: UTM Grad Wali Shah on giving back

TL;DR

A young man shares his journey of using poetry to inspire and make a difference in the community.

Transcript

I just wanted to perform, you know? Like any opportunity, any open mic, whatever, I just wanted to perform. I didn't know I was doing advocacy work, I had no idea what it was. I was performing. Home. What does home mean to us? Home is Canada. Home is Toronto. Home is right here. But what does home mean to us? When I was younger, at 15 years old I g... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Spoken word poetry can unintentionally lead to advocacy work and making a positive difference in the community.
• 🙈 Teachers play a significant role in shaping students' interests and passions, as seen in the speaker's experience.
• 🖤 Representation matters, especially for marginalized youth who may lack relatable role models.
• 😑 Poetry can serve as a powerful outlet for expressing emotions and thoughts.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Addressing issues like identity, mental health, and masculinity through spoken word poetry can have a profound impact on young audiences.
• ⚖️ Balancing multiple responsibilities while pursuing one's passion requires resilience and dedication.
• ❓ Sharing personal stories through poetry can create connections and foster a sense of community.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's high school teacher influence his journey into spoken word poetry?

The speaker's teacher introduced him to a book of poetry by Tupac Shakur, which sparked his interest and passion for spoken word poetry, leading him to use this art form as a means of giving back to the community.

Q: What challenges did the speaker face while juggling work, school, and his passion for poetry?

The speaker faced the struggles of managing multiple responsibilities, such as work and school, while pursuing his passion for poetry at a train station platform, highlighting the perseverance needed to navigate through those challenges.

Q: Why does the speaker believe it is important to be a role model for marginalized youth?

The speaker, being Pakistani and a young Muslim, understands the importance of representation and aims to be a beacon of light for kids who may not have a relatable role model, addressing identity issues, mental health crises, and the need for positive male role models.

Q: How does poetry serve as an outlet for the speaker?

Poetry serves as the speaker's outlet for expressing his emotions, thoughts, and experiences, allowing him to channel his feelings into creative expression and inspiring others through his words.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, a young poet, discusses how he stumbled into advocacy work through performing poetry without realizing it.

• He recounts how a teacher introduced him to spoken word poetry, which changed his path and inspired him to give back.

• Through his performance and poetry, he aims to be a role model for marginalized youth and address issues like identity, mental health, and masculinity.