Sign our petition for true representation @ The Grammy's

[Max Parthas]

2008 Grammy Winners

We as Spoken Word Poets and artists feel that the Grammys are misrepresenting the true genre of Spoken Word.
It is unthinkable that politicians are receiving awards for reading their books when so many real poets have bled and died for this art form. Yet Spoken Word Poetry is not even included.
Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barak Obama are Spoken Word artists. How is it possible that they are winning awards for a genre created and maintained by legendary artists like
*Amiri Baraka
*Nikki Giovanni
*The Last Poets
*Gil Scott-Heron
*Sonya Sanchez
and more legends than we could ever list here.
A genre being uplifted into the mainstream media by artists like
Georgia Me
Tommy Bottoms
ABYSS
Max Parthas
Saul Williams
Taylor Mali
Carlos Gomez
TAALAM ACEY
Queen Sheba
Tranzit Thawt
Poetri
Da Boogie Man
Aqiyl
Tehut 9
Malcom Jamal Warner
and so many many more.

We feel that is is not only an insult to place politicians in the forefront of this industry but it is imperative this situation be corrected without delay.
You have a long list of Spoken Word subcategories and have yet to include the primary reason it's even called such. Because of "Spoken Word Poetry." traced all the way back to The Harlem Renaissance.

This oversight is no longer acceptable.
The names, comments, letters and statements below represent our desire for change in the 2009 awards ceremony.

Sincerely

The Artists of The New Word Order

[LovelyBrown]

They definitely need to sub-categorize this proberly because the way it is caterogized does NOT do us justice!

[AMORE RAYNE]

I GOT YOU! WE HAVE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND STAND FOR WHAT'S RIGHT!
AMORE'

[eddie oliver]

Absolutely right

[NuEshe]

I agree...where do I ssign.

[Patricia Carragon]

good question. maybe they are using this list as the signature list.

pattie

[Max Parthas]

Exactly pattie & NuEshe. Just signing with an X on this is enough. But please. If you have an opinion you would like to contribute then by all means do so.
For those who read this reply, we want you to keep in mind this is a petition for those who are IN AGREEMENT to sign. If your opinion is that Spoken Word Poetry does not deserve or need to be represented in the Grammy nominations, then I would direct you to our other petition available at www.KissMyTommyBottoms.com or you can send an email with your contrary opinion to:[e-mail]

[Patricia Carragon]

Let the Spoken Word be heard!

Patricia Carragon

[The Speakeasy Cafe open mic Poetry RADIO show.]

We are the modern day Bards... It is time we wrote ourselves into our own history with our VOICES!!!

Cynthia Nylatay Ward

[LOS THA HOST]

WORD SIGNIN' IN ON THAT GRAMMY GIVE OUT,
IF WE CONTINUE TO LET IT HAPPEN IT WILL... PEACE
LOS THA HOST

[DAIMA SWIN]

Max,
thanks so much for inviting me to become a member of this community. Nuff respect to you and Raine.
We discussed this incentive briefly @ the Poetry Festival last weekend and of course I support the cause. Without THE WORD nothing would exist. It is up to us that have been given the gift to expose the power that lies within the THE WORD. Those of us who understand it, have been given the ability to articulate it and the authority to manipulate, maneuver, manifest through it- so let it be. I am excited because it's just a matter of time before we turn the Red Carpet into another shade.

DAIMA SWIN (birth name:Chippella)

[JourneysWisdom]

Sincerely,

We must be seen heard and represented! For without spoken word, our live's lessons, experiences, issues, and/or accomplishments are NEVER heard, therefore never healing another. After all this is why we speak, to Heal! We Must SPEAK(WRITE). As Maya Angelou revealed..................she know why the caged bird sings......and her decision to break the silence, is just one of our soul's, nurtured manifestations brought strongly to the forefront through the passion of Writing!!!

Spoken Word Must Be Represented!

JourneysWisdom (Darlene Crowley)

[soulfulpen]

I agree with this 100%
Please let me know what I can do to help support this.
God bless Max.
S.P