The New Oral Tradition: Spoken Word Poetry as a Platform for Civic Engagement in the Digital Era

With the advent of social media and the digital landscape, mainstream activism is a distinguishing feature of young Americans today, referred to as millennials and Generation Z, i.e., those born between 1980 and 2012. However, this perspective overlooks the depth and authenticity of social involvement among these younger individuals, particularly through their embrace of literature and art—particularly spoken word poetry. Spoken word, rooted in oral tradition and championed by previous generations for its social impact, is finding renewed vigor among youth as a genuine means of articulating their societal concerns. This paper will examine the usage of spoken word poetry by contemporary Americans as a means of civic and political engagement. This exploration is contextualized through a modern lens, where digital platforms are amplifying voices traditionally marginalized in mainstream narratives, allowing spoken word poetry to evolve beyond its historical confines into a dynamic form of expression. This study extends the discussion to contemporary poets such as Amanda Gorman, Danez Smith, and Donald Glover who have harnessed the art form to address society’s most pressing issues. This analysis underscores the genre's burgeoning role within popular culture, evidenced by its integration into the music and public personas of artists who have traditionally not been associated with spoken word, thereby marking its reentry into the popular consciousness. At its core, the revival of spoken word among the youth, fueled by social media and digital platforms, represents a recent renovation to an old art form at different levels of pop culture. It is a testament to the enduring power of the spoken word to inspire, challenge, and mobilize. By embracing this tradition, today's generation is not merely participating in an act of revival but is actively redefining civic engagement and artistic expression.