'Spring into Words' promises freedom of expression

The Poetry Jam continues to be an open forum for students

By REBECCA MARTIN

Those seeking a way to express themselves within a creative group at Fresno State should look no further than the Poetry Jam.

What originally began as an event to be done occasionally, organizer Marylee McGough said, is now an event held the first Wednesday of every month. The semester’s first Poetry Jam show, “Spring into Words,” will be today at 7 p.m. in the Coffeehouse and Pub.

McGough, a graduate student in international relations, looks at the Poetry Jam as a positive impact on Fresno State as a community.

“It promotes public speaking and cultural diversity,” McGough said.

The Poetry Jam began with an idea from McGough and former Women’s Alliance president Jennifer Moore as a way for students to express themselves.

“I started when I was with the Student Union,” McGough said, “in honor of Kwanzaa.”

In January 2001, a group of women, including McGough and co-organizer Deborah Napolean, met to discuss the idea. The idea gained support from various people at Fresno State.

“It hit off,” McGough said. “We went campuswide, reaching out to other campus clubs.”

McGough sends flyers to a variety a people at Fresno State in hopes they will tell their students to attend. She even suggests to faculty that they give students extra credit for attending the Poetry Jam.

“The event means nothing without the students,” McGough said.

Students attending the event, McGough said, may leave feeling more creatively appreciated than they do with their friends and may be able to express themselves in ways they normally can’t.

“At the Poetry Jam, you have an opportunity to say how you feel,” McGough said. “It promotes listening and creative thoughts. It’s like a cultural think tank.”

The Poetry Jam would not be as successful, McGough said, were it not for supportive organizations at Fresno State, such as the Women’s Resource Center.

“Students who want to do something on campus must have resources,” McGough said. “The Women’s Resource Center is a wonderful place to be.”

Other sponsors for the event include the Women’s Alliance, the University Student Union, Diversity Awareness Program and Associated Students.

“We all try to be supportive of each other,” McGough said. “It’s called human development.”

The Poetry Jam is for all poets — beginners and experienced — and has an open microphone.

McGough is optimistic about the turnout for this semester’s first poetry jam, but still isn’t sure how many people will come.

“It’s real hard to say,” McGough said about the attendance at a Poetry Jam show. “If we get anywhere from 35-40 people, I’m real happy. If you can’t get in the door, I’m really happy.”