Sean Baucom Performs Spoken Word at Soirée
On Thursday, June 24, the attendees of the YWCA-NYC Sixth Annual Summer Soirée were treated to a powerful spoken-word performance by Sean Baucom, student at the YW’s After School Program at Independence High School in Hell’s Kitchen. This special presentation showcased Sean’s remarkable talent, which is a testament to the literacy, fine arts and leadership skills he has honed at Independence throughout the program’s two-year existence. The text of Sean’s performance appears below:
YOUNG WOMAN
ARE THE X FACTORS
THE MUSIC
THE HISTORY
THE REBIRTH
THE GO HARD OF OUR FUTURES
WEIGHTLESS AGAINST THE WIND
BEND SOLID IN THE DANCE
BRING THE RAIN BACK
TODAY WE CRY BLACK
WE CRY BEAUTIFUL
FINDING OUR FOREVER’S COMMON
IN THE HAND CLAP
IT’S A CELEBRATION OF A LIFE
A THIRD EYE LIGHT SHINING THROUGH CUMULUS
CAUGHT IN THE PRAYERS WRAPPED AROUND
ANKLES WAIST DEEP IN THE DIRT
TODAY IS OUR STEP UP!
OUR GRADUATION OUT THE GRAVE
LET OUR BARE FEET TREND SEND THE SOIL
OUR FOOTPRINTS WILL TURN BONES INTO ROSES
ALL OF TOMORROW WILL KNOW THAT WE WALKED HERE!
AND WE WALKED HARD
WITH BELLIES FULL OF REINCARNATED ANCESTORS
SHAKA
SHANGO
OSUN
OSAR, ALL SHACKLED TO THE SCARS OF UGANDA
BEING DRAGGED THROUGH THE STREETS OF BROOKLYN
WHERE B-BOY MEETS SWAHILI
Photos © Mike Scanlan
About Sean
Sean Baucom, AKA, Sean B. is a student at Independence High School in Hell’s Kitchen, where the YWCA of the City of New York provides after school programming for more than 100 teens. Independence is a transfer alternative school — students who enroll are non-completers from other high schools in the city.
Many students arrive at Independence High School shouldering negative experiences from their former high school, limited family support, and varied personal challenges. Students typically arrive at Independence over age, under-credited for their grade, and at significant risk of dropping out. However, thanks to the YW’s strong partnership with school administration, faculty, community stakeholders and parents, students at Independence receive targeted academic enrichment and support; college and career preparation; and the tools to make better life choices that will prepare them for their post-secondary endeavors.
At the YW’s After School program at Independence, Sean has shown great proficiency as a spoken-word performer and, in turn, has enhanced his literacy, fine arts and leadership skills that will help him go far in life. A native of Far Rockaway, he has been a part of the program since it launched in 2008. He finds his inspiration for his work in social injustice, poverty, fame, love and the great lyricists, including Ben Okri, Bob Dylan, and Talib Kweli. At the tender age of 19, he is already a veteran of the New York City spoken word circuit.
July 6, 2010