National Poetry Slam Finals - "Unforgettable" G. Yamazawa, Liz Acevedo, and Pages Matam

[@MegansCloudyMorning]

"my name wasn't given to me, it was given to the rest of the country" I had to pause the video and take a moment to appreciate this line

[@shaepricesp]

Had this epiphany at 18 and its the reason why I didn't change my name like I had always planned on. I'll be showing this poem to my students before I say the role on the first day of class from now on.

[@benliow7340]

this sound quality is seriously such a struggle to understand

[@iluvhoney710]

I think it's just the echoing mic and the clapping people.. so annoying

[@IbokRock811]

Of course the poem is absolutely amazing, but coming from another slam poet, the fact that they timed it at EXACTLY 3 minutes and 10 seconds, I'm just in awe that is truly incredible.

[@sarahblanchard4309]

goosebumps.

[@juanestebandiazdavila1348]

el orto , que le pasa pirobo

[@janicerobinson2225]

Just as powerful today as it was years ago when I first heard it been a fan of them all since glad to reconnect to this work.

[@laniyahbarrett3860]

They also performed this poem on Button Poetry. Just type in Unforgettable Poem, it should pull up so you can watch it without hearing the echoing and loud clapping in this one.

[@lexiexcooper]

I literally paused the video and clapped like a fucking seal. This is fantastic.

[@TCI5575]

Oh thanks goodness I wasn't the only one. I paused it several times so that I could take a moment

[@tamarpelkinson3518]

Bad sound quality, but still really like it, they are good :)

[@MoGravy90]

that blew me away! so truthful and powerful! i love it

[@spokenloudly_1583]

Yes! Absolutely amazing !

[@huni26]

love this. very powerful

[@chiedumn7052]

i wish the audience could shut the hell up, so i could hear the words. Awesome poem.

[@ivangartenhaus4276]

+Chiedum N Yeah, I wish the quality of sound was better.

[@Knottylilpoet]

+Ivan Gartenhaus there is another version of this when they did it at a smaller slam. It's less people so you can hear them. Just look up beltway poetry

[@ivangartenhaus4276]

TashaUnspoKen Archie OK thanks

[@ladynikki521]

Absolutely loved it

[@ceny1196]

Beautiful but the audience is not supposed to clap as they perform it makes it difficult to get into the work and hear

[@emmalejenkins8468]

The poets themselves encourage this. It shows them that people are listening to them and there is nothing more satisfying than hearing the audience respond to their words.

[@Teddy_De_Melo]

emmalejenkins No the audience are supposed to click their fingers it’s quieter and doesn’t interrupt the performance but still shows support

[@TheCalijoe123]

This was amazing !!! Great great job to you guys! no matter what name you have your words will always make you unique

[@treesrNB]

such powerful words.

[@sarvitalks7522]

this made me love my name

[@viwemtati6979]

I LOVED THAT

[@LoveLAWC]

Very well said!! Bravo!!

[@poppyyppop]

I have chills

[@mariaortega3430]

Perfect.

[@eelaiap]

this is beautiful omg

[@deepadatta4992]

speechless!!!!

[@kayladucote1982]

"a name easily washed down with milk." that got to me

[@winnietheblue3633]

+Kayla Ducote yeah white people suck or something, genius

[@theintrovertuploader3117]

i really like this, good job!

[@ammish_ofori]

Unforgettable!

[@sebastiannoriega8245]

How you doin my black brotha?

[@frankiejackson5278]

so powerful

[@GraceAbimbola7]

Wow!!!

[@iigotbored]

I'd love to give my child a name that's unforgettable. Although mine isn't incredibly mainstream (my last is from New Zealand and my first just sounded pretty to my parents)

[@SRoseBlog]

this was amazing

[@shamanin-training8039]

The name that was imposed upon me at birth was so damned horrific, I had to get it changed. Doing so marked the end of all hope I had for having a semi-functional relationship with my mother. I have no regrets. If I'm ever blessed with kids, the names I give them will exist as a blessing, a prayer and a reminder that I love them. Their names will be *gifts*, not burdens.

[@Serendipity0727]

amazing

[@noahzev]

Aye the Asian dude visited my creative writing class this past year. He's awesome asf.

[@peternewturkey]

THIS IS SO GOOD

[@noblenyoni9660]

wow👏

[@AmiraStrawter]

great performance, but this video serves as evidence that snaps are best used in poetry appreciation

[@karenkungietorres]

Is there any way I can get the text for this slam? I am having my students do a name re-taking ceremony for my Chicano Literature class. I want to be sure they get you whole, entire, amazing message!

[@TheZeedler]

That was absolutely fantastic. I'm going to change my name. Thank you to the writers.

[@md.shahin1102]

Wow

[@MsBeautifulPearl]

I just got chills when Pages started speaking in French/Cameron mother language (if am not wrong)

[@whealznelson1738]

this is what slam is like ok

[@a_true_dreamer4860]

Cameroonians represent!

[@awoFalase]

Ya'll better say that

[@meriamm1770]

This is so interesting and truuuuuuu!!

[@PeskyVrmt]

Awe man, the sound is off.

[@JehuDagohoy]

[@ziayrehawkins2010]

I kinda get this because my name is Zi'Ayre and people are always like wow that's a beautiful name that's different

[@ethanhopping7262]

"In other countries your last name comes first because there's an emphasis on family, but in America your nickname comes first cause there's an emphasis on accessibility." This isn't true, your nickname comes first because there's an emphasis on the individual. Our whole culture is built on proving yourself as an individual, for a poem about culture, they really don't understand the one of the country they live in.

[@Andresfin]

I so agree I am Hispanic but my name is Natasha that's Russian

[@winnietheblue3633]

+natasha crowder what a struggle

[@hannahmoffett4766]

Feeling really self conscious about my name 😂😂😂

[@jcampos8241]

Bill Cosby should listen to this.... oh wait, he's in jail.

[@nikifarruggio930]

Sooo we combat assimilation / our dislike of having an Anglo name with racism? first poetry slam I've shaken my head at... Not the route to go... only causes more dissension.

[@tundedioszegi7680]

Niki Farruggio Culture is for whoever wants to be a part of it: may it be keeping traditions or wanting to join a different nations tradition. Either way we should have the freedom to do what we like. For some it is sports, for some it is traditions.

[@kendallgwaltney4882]

I wish I could actually understand this. it sounds very powerful.