Politics & Poetry

Alderwoman Milele Coggs and the League of Young Voters partnered to brighten a murky campaign season with “Politics & Poetry” at City Hall last Thursday, November 1. After Council President Willie Hines opened the evening with some rhymes of his own, the space transformed from the place where you pay your taxes to a lively lyrical sanctuary. Local and state politicians and spoken word artists took on subjects like race, violence, poverty and politics through their poetry. The poets’ animated and sometimes comedic delivery, mixed with musical interludes provided by DJ Sherman, sustained a positive atmosphere despite heavy topics. “God made man before woman because you got to make a rough draft before the masterpiece” riffed Nikki Hansen AKA Queen B, a ninth grader at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, in her poem about gender inequality.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton and Alderman Nik Kovac put politics as usual aside, and each performed a unique piece. Creativity conquered all on Thursday, making “Poetry and Politics” a welcome break from the blue and red battle leading up to the election.

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