E-Newsletter

Reflections on Open-Mike
Brenna Besemer

While preparing for the open mike night, on May 3, my group developed a theme that we all felt was appropriate and welcoming to all: “Take Back the Night: Expressions of Cultural Identity.” We wanted to attract a wide audience as well as help people feel comfortable in actually participating. When we arrived at open mike, we did not realize that Spread the Word was going to maintain so much control of the process, but we were glad to be there and have a positive turn out for the event in general. When it was my turn at the mike and I read my poem, the response was wonderful, and I felt very comfortable. People were actually listening and applauded when I finished. For me it was a great experience.

There were other aspects to open mike night that were interesting to watch and observe. The host of the event was a fellow UAlbany female student, and between her and others who took to the mike, the word “Bitch” was used quite often, as well as many other words of profanity. Open mike is definitely a tool for expression, and judgment will not be passed on those who do, but it was interesting to see how people chose to express themselves and how that plays into the big picture of women's representations in society. Open mike is supposed to be liberating, but what does it mean to partake in a liberating expression while using a word like “bitch” that is so constricting and negative toward an entire gender?

Open mike is a media outlet that differs from most; it is more personal and controlled by the individual. The messages are in control of the participants who can be anyone because all are welcome. However, many of the messages mimic mainstream media and culture but are noted as funny and humorous. They are more subliminal when it is the host performing them because she is there for the purpose of moving the show along. Open mike nights can definitely counter mainstream media messages as well as perpetuate and support them.

This was the most interesting thing that I took away from this project: not to assume that there is any arena that is free from societal ideals, values, or messages about our gender roles. The media has taken so much control of society that people take it with them wherever they go; and when they are not paying attention, the same words and actions slip right out. We become products and advertisements for those ideals and messages that our media tell us are important.