Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Journey Literary Organization hosts Write Out Loud

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Journey Literary Organization hosted its “Write Out Loud” reading event Monday, Feb. 6, at Cup ‘n Cork in downtown Cape Girardeau. Write Out Loud started in September 2016 with the help of the President Shaibriel Mack, who was interested in giving students the opportunity to express themselves freely.

“The idea for Write Out Loud came from Journey Readings, which have always been going on, but I wanted to provide an official title that drew people in. I want people to get excited about poetry and writing and, more importantly, not being afraid to express themselves,” Mack said.

During Monday’s event, nine people shared a collection of short stories, poems and essays. One of the speakers was junior psychology major James Macklin, who was introduced to the event last semester by his friend Nysheia Alexander-Haywood after she asked if he wrote poetry.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, I do a little poetry but I never said anything to anybody,’” Macklin said.

Macklin shared a poem called “True Love.” In this poem he talked about his religion. Macklin expressed that no matter what a person goes through, where he or she come from, or where he or she has been, Jesus will love and bless them regardless.

“Basically you can’t go wrong with loving Jesus,” Macklin said.

Macklin was influenced by one of his favorite rappers Starlito in his writing.

“I like Starlito because he is like Tupac, he is really poetic,” Macklin said.

Macklin also described how Starlito brings his music to life.

“It’s like when you listen to his music you can feel the things he’s saying because the words don’t have to be big, they can be small words, but just how he says it is unique,” Macklin said.

He also shared that he hopes to come back to Write Out Loud to improve his poetry because the poetry he’s been writing was spur of the moment and wasn’t long term.

Michael Council, moderator of Write Out Loud, also a writer and considers himself to be an author. Council was given the opportunity to listen to others’ readings from his on-campus classes. He also hosted similar events in Atlanta, which is where his experience comes from.

“It’s a passion to do it and a passion to help other people express their unspoken words through Write Out Loud,” Council said.

This was Matthew Reek’s first Write Out Loud event. Reeks was making a stop from his cross-country trip to read his book at Cup ‘n Cork when the event started. Reeks shared some of his thoughts on how the speakers made him feel after listening.

“Definitely a lot of emotion, youthful, inexperienced, emerging of adult personality, honesty, brutality and human,” Reeks said.

According to Mack her organization is looking for more people to submit to Journey.

“We are looking for people that do poetry and art, especially because we are looking for new people to do the cover of our magazine,” Mack said. “There will also be prizes for the people that participate in these competitions.”

The next Write Out Loud event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 5p.m at Cup ‘n Cork.

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