"Rape Poem To End All Rape Poems" by Rutgers University

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• published: 21 Mar 2014
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"Rape Poem To End All Rape Poems" by the Rutgers University slam team. Poets: Justice Hehir, Lindsey Michelle Williams, Kate Thomas, and Lillie Hannon. Follow this team on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruslamteam If anyone would like to contact the team directly, please do this through the Facebook page. All poetry posted with permission. Video by Lindsey Michelle. TRANSCRIPT: A: We were in his room after the party, The lights dim. A few drinks in and everything was warm, and smoothed over. Then this moment was quickly punctured With supposedly sweet whispers that felt like barbed wire: B: "Trust me," C: "come on," D: "Don't you love me?" A: His hands pushed me back. ALL: WARNING! C: It's that time again. D: Time for another... ALL: "Rape poem". A: The audience sighs, shifts back in their seats. B: "Oh boy," you say, "these bitches are about to go off!" C: Off about "rape" and "pain" A: and "no." D: I said "no" ALL: "he didn't listen" D: And you ask, why another rape poem? ALL: Didn't I just hear, like, three of these? A: Yes. You probably did. B: Unsurprising in a country where someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes. C: What's surprising is the shit people get for telling their stories, They are all lumped into one category- ALL: "Rape poem" D: As if trauma is a trope A: Violation a cliche B: All the while everyone is rolling their eyes and asking C: Why so many damn rape poems? D: We wouldn't need so many damn "rape poems" if America had ALL: listened the first time. A: These poems are our prayers to beat the fucking odds in this country of apple pie and roofies. B: We wouldn't need so many damn rape poems if our bodies were ours' alone. C: We wouldn't need so many damn rape poems if everyone abided by what "no" meant D: We wouldn't need so many damn rape poems if Budweiser stopped selling our bodies stretched across a six-pack A: And maybe we wouldn't need so many damn rape poems if everyone would ALL: listen to this one. B: But it seems to us these lessons are yet to be learned C: Don't tell me she was sober enough to make a decision. D: Don't tell me she was asking for it. B: Don't tell me to pity him for facing consequences. C: You complain about another "rape poem" D: But this is all part of a culture. ALL: The "rape poems" will continue A: Until I can wear whatever the fuck I want and not be called a slut! B: Until I can trust my drink to someone at a party when I need to take a piss! C: Until I can walk alone on dark streets without being catcalled! D: "Who's your daddy" A: "get back over here" B: "Ow ow" C: "Damn, look at that ass" D: Until I can wear heels without being asked who I'm trying to impress! A: Until my voice speaks louder than my outfit! B: Until I'm not expected to carry pepper spray on my keychain! C: Until no really means ALL: NO! D: Until rape means crime! ALL: Until woman means human! A: The rape poems will continue until there's no damn material left.