For the 3rd time in the past 21 months, a video of me performing one of my poems has topped 1,000,000 views.
That number is beyond my comprehension, especially in the context of poetry: one million.
I never dreamed of that kind of exposure for my work when I sat down to write any of these three poems (“What Latino Looks Like,” “Where are you really from?,” & “What is Genocide?”).
What makes this staggering run of viral videos even more special is that all three performances were filmed live at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe – the legendary venue where I cut my teeth as a teenager and fell hard for that poetry made to burn up a stage. The Nuyo, no matter what, will always be my poetic home.
Thank you to the folks at Upworthy for giving my work a platform of such magnitude. And, of course, endless gratitude to each and every person who has shared and liked my “What is Genocide?” video. I’m humbled and honored beyond belief by the outpouring of support.
There is so much work left to be done.
#ICYMI: https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1830907430283440/
#WhatIsGenocide? #genocidepoem
