#UofTGrad18: UTM Grad Wali Shah on giving back

TL;DR

UTM graduate Wali Shah gives back by using spoken word poetry to connect with young people and address identity, mental health, masculinity, and emotional expression. After being arrested and charged with assault at age 15, encouragement from his teachers, especially Ms. Riley and a Tupac Shakur poetry book, helped him choose a more positive path. Read on to see how representation and poetry shaped his advocacy.

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 does UTM graduate Wali Shah give back through spoken word poetry?

Wali Shah performs poetry that addresses identity, mental health, masculinity, and difficult emotions. He hopes that sharing these perspectives can reach even one young person, who may then make a positive change.

Q: What turning point changed Wali Shah's direction in life?

Shah was arrested and charged with assault when he was 15 years old. He describes that experience as a major turning point because it made him realize that he did not want to continue down that road.

Q: How did Ms. Riley introduce Wali Shah to spoken word poetry?

Ms. Riley gave Shah “The Rose That Grew From Concrete,” a book of poetry by Tupac Shakur. Because he already loved Tupac and rap, the book showed him how he could build something positive from an existing interest.

Q: When did Wali Shah decide to pursue poetry and make a difference?

After reading the poetry book Ms. Riley gave him, Shah decided that he wanted to write poetry and perform spoken word. He also resolved to give back and make a difference through that work.

Q: What challenges did Wali Shah face during his five years at U of T?

Shah describes balancing work, school, and his personal life while often relying on coffee because he had little sleep. He also recalls living on a student budget, earning minimum pay, and starting essays at the last minute.

Q: Why does Wali Shah want to be a role model for young people?

As a young Pakistani Muslim, Shah knows that some students may rarely encounter a role model with whom they identify. He wants to be a beacon of light for young people facing identity issues, mental health crises, or a lack of understanding from others.

Q: How does Wali Shah use poetry to discuss masculinity and emotions?

Shah observes that many young men do not know how to handle the emotions they experience. By speaking as another young man about masculinity and emotional struggles, he hopes to shed light on those issues and reach someone who needs that perspective.

Q: Why is poetry an important outlet for Wali Shah?

Poetry lets Shah express anger, emotion, or thoughts provoked by his classes. He says the feeling of turning those experiences into a poem convinced him that he had to keep doing it.

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.