Some of the state's best high school poets competed for the state championship, with eighteen students from across the state took part in the 'Poetry Out Loud' contest. They were judged by a panel on seven criteria, including physical presence and level of difficulty. The champion, Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan, was named after three rounds of poems.
Jackson-Nisan is a senior at MTS Technology High School in Minneapolis. In her final round, she read a poem called "Booker T and W-E-B" by Dudley Randall.
Transcripts
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SPEAKER: "It seems to me," said Booker T. "It shows a mighty lot of cheek to study chemistry or Greek when Mr. Charles needs a hand to hold the cotton on his land. And when Ms. Anne looks for a cook, why stick your nose inside a book?
"I don't agree," said WEB, "if I should have the drive to seek knowledge of chemistry or Greek, I'll do it. Charles and Miss can look another place for hand to cook. Some men rejoice in skill of hand and some in cultivating land. But there are others who maintain the right to cultivate the brain."
"It seems to me," said Booker T, "that all you folks have missed the boat, who shout about the right to vote and spend vain days and sleepless nights in uproar over civil rights. Just keep your mouth shut. Do not grouse, but work, and save, and buy a house."
"I don't agree," said WEB, "for what can property avail if dignity and justice fail? "Unless you help to make the laws, they'll steal your house with trumped up claws. A rope is tight, a fire is hot no matter how much cash you've got. Speak soft and try your little plan. But as for me, I'll be a man. It seems to me," said Booker T. "I don't agree, said WEB." Thank you.
[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]