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story image 1 Jason Carney is a reformed skinhead who now celebrates racial and ethnic diversity. He has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and will perform Tuesday at Club Downunder. Photo courtesy of Jason Camey
SCE 'slams' studies
Student Campus Entertainment brings music and slam poetry to Club Downunder Tuesday
by Corey Janssen
April 19, 2004
With the end of the semester brings the onset of countless stress-inducing activities, mainly in the form of last minute cramming for final exams. Student Campus Entertainment (SCE) knows this and will offer one last Take A Load Off Tuesday at Club Downunder as a means of alleviating some of this strain, however temporary it is. The final SCE event of the semester will feature HBO's Def Poetry Jam's Jason Carney. Also included in the night's events will be readings by the Back Talk! Poetry Troupe, as well as music by DJ J-Will.
Jason Carney is known for his no-holds-barred style of spoken word and memorable style of slam poetry. However he was not always the literati he is today. Once a skinhead who abhorred minorities and homosexuals, and used violence as a method to display his hate, Carney made massive changes to his life and has since become an advocate of tolerance and diversity.
"Jason's poetry is emotional and in-your-face," SCE Culture and Arts chairman Dorian Rogers said. "He makes you question every stereotype you have ever had and then he helps you prepare the proper burial for them. And the best thing is, there is very little mourning afterward."
Carney's performances speak of his acceptance of all individuals as equals. Since his transformation from drug-abusing, prejudiced skinhead to accepting artist, Carney has authored a book, "Flesh Is Only Lucid Language."
He also speaks out at college campuses, high schools and youth centers. Carney's performances have frequently been called stunning and thought-provoking and he has been said to be considered a "redneck superhero."
"I know Jason (Carney) personally and it is inspiring to see a man who has changed from a racist into a racial activist," Rogers said. "Jason is the epitome of what we can all become if we refuse the lies we have been taught and accept the truth."
The other featured poetic act of the night comes from the Back Talk! Poetry Troupe. This troupe is widely considered Florida's finest conglomerate of spoken word artists. Founded in 1998, the troupe has performed at numerous poetry slam competitions, expos and seminars, among many other events.
A number of poets with membership to the troupe go on to win accolades and awards at poetry slam competitions, both local and national. More information about the group can be found at
www.blackonblackrhyme.com.
"Back Talk! is the culture that Tallahassee has (needed) for years," Rogers said. "It performs every Thursday at Mt. Zion's Calypso Caf� and is a safe haven for lovers of art who realize the importance of getting away from the monotony of a generation that doesn't like to think anymore."
The final Take A Load Off Tuesday is sponsored by the SCE, as well as numerous other student organizations. These co-sponsors include NPHC, Theta Nu Xi, Lambda Theta Alpha, Lambda Theta Phi, Lambda Tau Omega, PBM, Inc. and SISTUHS.
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