Culture is an interesting, beautiful, contradictory thing. Music, fashion, ideas: they can be oppressive or expressive or both. Michael Cirelli breaks it down in this poem from his book "Lobster with Ol' Dirty Bastard," which looks at culture from every side of the dinner table. Dig in!

THE SPOKEN WORD ARCHIVE

“I’m always interested in the path of corruption,” says the Oscar-winning director about his latest film, Casino Jack.read more

The film got made because it did not rock anyone’s world or challenge any racial or gender stereotypes. The only good sex with skin was straight.read more

What is hip-hop? Is it the epitome of hyper-masculine, hyper-materialistic pop culture? Or is it the evolution of an underground culture of resistance that is now more than just music, but informs education, politics, and everyday life? Or maybe both? Danny Hoch makes his side clear in this piece, a much-needed Public Service Announcement for the hip-hop generation.

THE SPOKEN WORD ARCHIVE

The band members have evolved from one-time punk jesters to creative activists. They have become tough-minded advocates for democracy.read more

He tweaked the Academy for being a “commie and homo-loving” crowd, thereby taking the sting out of those epithets.read more

Like others before it, this was a voyeuristic look at the Third World’s poor and vulnerable. There was no sense of history, no glimpse of peoples’ struggles and really no dignity.read more

The Progies are the “un-Oscars” annually awarded by the James Agee Cinema Circle – an international group of left movie critics and historians -- for the Best Progressive Films and Filmmakers of conscience and consciousness. The envelopes please.read more

I rise to defend Elizabeth Alexander’s inaugural poem.

Members of the vanguard of modern poetry have thrown their barbs, labeling it “perfunctory” and “bureaucratic” and full of cliches.read more

The PROGIE NOMINEES ARE
For best picture: "Milk," "Che," "Battle in Seattle," "The Visitor," "Waltz with Bashir," and "Wendy and Lucy." For best actor...read more