OTEP - HBO DEF POETRY - DEDICATED TO MY ENEMY

[@6DireWolf9]

The audience didn't know what to do with itself. I LOVED it.

[@4100Tasha]

This was the first time I had ever seen Otep. And I fell in love immediately. Poetry is the perfume of the soul.

[@panickedantics7761]

I saw this episode when it was on HBO. I used to watch Def Poetry with my mom lol And we were just blown away by this.

[@mikeyd5538]

I've been rockin Otep for years but never saw this until now. Makes you wanna give her a huge hug hearing this. Brings tears to my eyes

[@operationada]

this poem had a significant impact on me when i was younger and it's something I've built some of my values on. the line "they want me to be a breeder, not a thinker, not a leader" is one that always stuck the most because it's true.

[@PneumaNoose]

Fkn same. Every time I hear a man say, “but it’s the baby that matters”, that’s the line I think of. Nah, I was a baby once too. So why does my life suddenly mean nothing when I’m a woman instead of the obedient little girl? Or why am I suddenly just an incubator when I’m growing life inside my miraculous body? I’m not pro abortion, but damnit am I ever pro choice. I didn’t ask to create life, and I’ve done everything in my power to never become pregnant. I’m almost 37 so in 25 years of sexual activity, I’ve never had even ONE pregnancy despite the thousands of chances. But should my efforts had ever failed, my life shouldn’t cease to matter because a piss stick turned pink. I will NOT just do as I’m told. I WILL think for myself. I WILL apply my worth.

[@operationada]

@@PneumaNoose ​ Hell yeah, I'm with you on this. The other thing people never like to talk about is that some people aren't fit to be parents. Isn't it more responsible to not want a kid because you're worried you might be unfit rather than blindly assume you'll be "awesome?" Most parents aren't lol. You'd think a decision like this would be respected, given the fact that you've taken the time to actually contemplate it but nope. Instead people ridicule those who don't want kids because it goes against "social norms." Mostly it bruises their own egos and that's why they project all this hate but even knowing this, doesn't make it easier to talk about. Even if I know that it's mostly the other person's issue with themselves, it still feels like shit being treated like shit for essentially, trying to do the right thing. What a world we live in, right?!

[@PneumaNoose]

@@operationada omg YES! Fkn EXACTLY!!! I’ve ALWAYS known I never wanted to be a mother. I like kids and I love my niece and nephew, but I’m better at being a mom to animals than humans. And I have medical crap that was passed down to me that makes my quality of life very poor sometimes and the absolute fkn last thing I’m gonna do is pass my own BS to an innocent child who never asked for these problems. In our current overpopulated world, having children at this point is PURELY SELFISH. There is so much existing life on the planet already that people could be parents to but no, they want a version of themselves. It’s so narcissistic and selfish in my opinion. And yet when I want to save a child from an uncertain future where I KNOW I’d give up for adoption should I ever be forced to give birth, I’d much rather abort immediately upon finding out I’m pregnant-ESPECIALLY if that pregnancy resulted from a bad situation. Even if I was some irresponsible person risking pregnancy left and right, that fetus cannot survive outside my body. Therefore, my life should be the life that comes first, an existing life. It’s just logical in my opinion. And the fact that abortion in my state is now illegal once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, I just wonder who’s gonna be taking care of all these babies when Texas is one of the hardest states to get healthcare in. We lead the country in people without health coverage of any kind. It’s all selfish ego, exactly like you said. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Oh, and I love how people assume that any woman who gets pregnant is healthy and capable of carrying a child. Schizophrenic women get pregnant, too. So what happens when she feels the baby kick and she thinks it’s the aliens who talk to her in her sleep when she’s in a psychotic episode? Women with endometriosis get pregnant, too. Women with crippling chronic pain, too. These lawmakers only see what’s in their own bubble-which is usually a rich white bubble where they don’t face adversity of any kind. It’s absolutely sickening to know that my body is no longer my own where I live. Absolutely sickening.

[@zachlovescats95]

Yo that was real@@PneumaNoose

[@PneumaNoose]

@@zachlovescats95 thank you 🙏🏻

[@scottfox2641]

That's really cool Mos Def showed her respect 2 amazing artists

[@Retroalicemichael]

She is an amazing human. I love her

[@lollirotkitty]

Just what I needed to see right now! I write poetry, but I still have trouble speaking in front of crowds and I have to read a poem tomorrow at school. I love how deep and raw your writing is and you inspire me! Thanks

[@djdj2231]

How did it go for you?

[@thehits1336]

A month ago, my baby girl was born. I had no idea the mother was pregnant , her boyfriend is abusive and my baby girl was born The same way. 4lb. 7 months along. I found this video by chance as I just started listening to otep a month ago.. I had no idea. definitely has some message. Thanks

[@PhillyAnthonyD]

Congratulations!

[@allesrachtsichirgendwannlu1893]

This show was amazing. To think of what she turned into..... Now that..... Is a gem

[@desastermaster2010]

I came across the music and I was impressed....Then I listend to an interview and I kinda thought,yeah, she s somebody special....But this here blew me right away! Great poetry, great presence! Great job!

[@savagesweetheart90]

Otep seeing you talking on talking about your experiences on RAINN on youtube I found the strength to talk to them and someone about my suffering from my ex fiancee being raped and beaten I thank you for your strength and you helped me survive

[@unknownparabola8650]

This turned me onto otep. The first time I saw her on stage blew me away. Taught me I can be strong metal head in a male dominated world.

[@neverwasever]

This is by far my favorite poem that I have encountered so far very raw thank you

[@guardian42o]

Your words speak more Truth than many comprehend. You truly intrigue my thought process!

[@bnsmith27]

Fucking love it! And I love you Otep. Don't stop being amazing

[@sonshine0000]

I cant believe i actually attempted to recite this to Otep, haha I couldn't get past the first few lines i was so nervous :( haha so amazing

[@Euthanasia89]

Here, ladies and gentlemen, you see a strong woman. You see a woman whose strength defied the expected outcome of death by being born (versus the miscarriage from her father's actions and the pre-mature birth). And now, as a grown woman, her strength continues to show: "They want me to be a breeder, not a thinker, not a leader...but I will fail them." She chooses to free herself from the imprisoning expectations of society. Her message: Only you possess the power to determine your life's course.

[@brianellinger6622]

the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world that he didn't exist... sometime true math and knowledge more ignorance than bliss

[@ehqheredia]

I am your fan. Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@sunofken7097]

This will always be everything ✊🏾

[@onesynystermofo]

Run For Cover: The First Steps. Sidenote: This is exactly why you're fucking amazing. Don't ever stop making beautiful music.

[@morningstar1800]

:) this was my recording on VHS that i post to youtube several years ago.

[@greymajickjedi]

That is ONE OF HER SUPER POWERS! :D \m/

[@dee72204]

wow you are my inspiration

[@sageherringshaw4535]

... Word! ❤

[@LAkadian]

Beautiful.

[@robertaskew293]

A bifurcated tounge reflects a bifurcated mind, I made a mistake...mr glitch..

[@VictorOr-q7r]

OTEP RULEZZZZ

[@RFNkev]

i love her

[@TJ-ud9sw]

I love it!

[@jaypage4778]

Brilliant !!!

[@MirandaLawless]

Can you upload your first appearance? Pretty pleases?

[@RFNkev]

OTEP = BOSS

[@neverwasever]

Ω÷ฯpeace comes in the form of blackened silence violently ripped back to reality to the Kraylon tapestry of Ash memory the folded Leaf inspiring musical laughter echoing back is an omnipresent Voice who wasn't there

[@robertaskew293]

Where is angel at?

[@LnPPersonified]

I'm so in love with her. Strong women, you are amazing.

[@josephrodriguez9895]

I remember this. I was on her friend's list years ago and we got into a verbal dispute. I think we blocked each other. Don't remember but pretty funny shit. Still think she's pretty AF

[@bladecrow7599]

Best regards from ⚔️-l-KRAUL-l-⚔️❤️ my favorite girl in the whole Universe

[@ForLorNVuLgaR]

thumbs up if you heard about this in the Garza podcast

[@AshtonAmstutz]

Inspiring AF

[@Martinzodiac]

I luv things about her

[@MrLorenaJS]

Goddamn this was so real that it was hard to watch

[@Canadian789119]

Was that MosDef?

[@Oliviagebelcook]

yes

[@greymajickjedi]

omg i

[@Shepherdblaster]

That is why I love strong women, my biggest turn on right there.

[@nayrahession8069]

ok but did you listen to her poetry that she preformed?

[@AO-pn2uo]

She's not going to have sex with you, bro.

[@florianflorian3735]

🤓❤️🤓☠️

[@felipelovecraft1767]

I miss her long hair.

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

I know! Barely recognized her when I seen Otep a few years ago.

[@greymajickjedi]

?_?

[@officiallylauralegendary]

She's not a comfortable conformist

[@UNXJUNK1E]

SPEAK out of turn.