Debating poetry with Newark author Jasmine Mans, on the new podcast ‘art & isms’: Photos, Video

On this episode of art & isms, Jasmine Mans — an internationally known poet and author from Newark, N.J. — recites and explains a poem, talks about her relationship to the city of Newark, reflects on what she learned on the speech and debate team in high school, and explains one of her most controversial poems, “Footnotes for Kanye.”

Mans is hosting free poetry workshops for teens and young adults at the Newark Public Library through Dec. 5.

Created, hosted and produced by WBGO media fellows Stephanie Avila and Mariah Matthews, the art & isms podcast features artists who use their craft to challenge the ‘isms’ in the world. “Isms,” in this context, refers to the multitudes of oppression that exist to dehumanize and remove people of their agency.  At the center of the podcast is this core belief: musicians, poets, fashion designers, and fine artists have the power to combat these ‘isms’ and promote social change through their art forms.

Jasmine Mans is an author, performer, poet, teacher, and artist. She has successfully competed in HBO’s Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices and Knicks Poetry Slam competitions. Mans released her first book, Chalk Outlines of Snow Angels in May 2012. That same year, she was chosen by Glamour Magazine, as one of their Top 10 Most Influential Woman in College. Jasmine is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where she began mentoring younger poets and teaching creative writing in the First Wave program, and Newark’s own Arts High School.

This program was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.