Student Youssef Biaz recites poetry at White House Poetry Night

www.poetryfilmfestival.com
We showcase, celebrate poetry and discuss poetry

Student Youssef Biaz performs poetry at white house with the likes of Billy Collins, Rita Dove, rapper Common, and Jill Scott.

From a competitive field of more than 365,000 students nationwide, 16-year-old Youssef Biaz of Auburn, Alabama, won the title of 2011 Poetry Out Loud National Champion at the National Finals held in Washington, DC, on Friday, April 29. With his achievement, Biaz also received a $20,000 award and his high school, Auburn High School, received a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Poetry
• poem
• poet
• poetry
• night
• Michelle
• Obama
• Barack
• Common
• rapper
• White
• house
• reads
• recites
• performs

[jn0imagination]

proud to say that I went to high school with Youssef! Great job!

[Dancingismylife2211]

@guyNbluejeans I don't see it that way what so ever. I am currently about to start competing in this compatition, and it's a way for young people like myself to connect with poetry, and show our love of it, to really bring it to life. The fact that you would simply down him because he isn't up to your standards is wrong. He had guts to do this. He connected to this poem. And for you to critisize that is wrong. No one said that he's Shakespeare. No one could live up to that. But dont down others.

[Rotionpotion]

@guyNbluejeans I'm interested in what you mean. How do you read a good poem?

[PoetAnj]

Let me just say that Sharon Olds is one of the best contemporary poets out there today, and I'm sorry that her style did not satisfy the other commenter. The good news is that there are a variety poets with many different styles. If folks will just give poetry a chance and really listen to the messages, they will begin to feel the power in poetry and how it can capture beauty and truth, and spread some peace and understanding into this hurting world. Hats off to the young student & Ms. Olds!

[guyNbluejeans]

I made it to 1:58 before I could take no more.

This stands as an example of one of the many horrors that's going on in this country: The artificial ascension of mediocrity due to political correctness. It boggles the mind that this type of lameness is being validated this way. It sends the message out that standards, effort, taste and expectations count for nothing. Just slap some dumb crap together and refrain from laughing out loud ... and saps will tell you you're up there with Shakespeare!!