on slam and safe space - cross-posted from my lj

[succulentpoet]

This is for anyone who is a poet, runs a venue, or attends poetry slams semi-regularly: do you have any guidelines about maintaining the slam as a safe space?

In any open forum, there is the capacity for sexism, racism, homophobia; for oppression; for threats; etc. And while freedom of speech is paramount to the success of slam, it can also be a

Comments

It's pretty much just going to be like that...

[chaoward]

myself and a friend run one of the most well known venues in tampa bay, and have done so for altogether almost three years. down by us there are, somehow, enough venues to contain all the different shows. those who allow that on stage and have a history of that sort of thing have their show; we've got our show, and the other hosts have their own shows as well. we've not had any worse problem than an elderly essayist who i had to, as politely as one can, get the hell off the stage and drunkards who are, at least to the crowd, amusing until we finally scoot them off and out. of course, i do not by any means live in a primarily white suburbanesque atmosphere; much more the opposite is a bit more than half and the rest is fairly evenly spread. i got lucky insofar as placement.

as a venue host you do have a specific responsibility to maintain the integrity of your show and the sensibilities of your crowd. your intent is a factor in guiding the outlook and general vibe of your show: if you want to have a place where people can express themselves without fear of retaliation from opposing viewpoints then make it that way. as asinine as it ends up sounding, and the bumper stickers just get annoying, "intolerance of ignorance is intelligence.". if someone is going to bring aggression to your stage, where it is not welcome, then you handle it and get them off. i'm a real loud guy, i can yell over absolutely anyone, and have had to do so a number of times. a lot of people think i'm an asshole, but a lot of those same people also love me for it. do not be afraid to take charge of your show and stand up for what your ultimate aspirations for the venue are. if you want a place where all manner of people will be on the same stage comfortably, where you don't have to concern yourself with racial epithets being spoken over the mic, where you know that everyone feels safe, you have to make it that way.

no one said this shit was easy, it takes years. best time to start is right the fuck now.