La Salle Collegian
Wednesday, March 28, 2001

Alix Olson takes the word to the stage

By Amanda Innes
Collegian Staff

It was just a couple of years ago, when I was just a tiny radical-feminist-in-training, that I was first privy to the magic and mayhem that explodes from a very special woman.

She took the stage moments before renowned poet and writer Ntozake Shange in a wide, open auditorium at NYU, peppered with queer activists and feminist punk rockers, stale with off-white walls and floating sunlit dust particles. And then she began.

In between her words, one could barely take full breaths, heaving in and out with a radical rhythm that sailed through the crowed and rocked our heads back and forth. Her tones fell with a pulse that jolts inspiration and life into the dullness and sadness of a world where isms reign.

She slammed shock waves into our brains, creating tremors with brilliant word organization, formation, creating, inventing terms and ideas to combat the hurtful creeds of only the most fortunate and privileged. She inspired us, surprised us, scared us and, mostly, just told us, explained to us, sang to us, shared with us-to say the least, this woman is a dynamic performer.

And yet, she is simply and really Alix Olson, a slam poet, spoken word artist, activist, teacher and learner from nearby Bethlehem, PA.

More than that, though, she is an amazing artist who can phrase reality in an ingenious and riveting way, she really can. More than that, she carries with her an aura of confidence, understanding and vision, she definitely does.

More than that , she is a 1999 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow, a member of the 1998 Nuyorican National Poetry Slam Team, the 1999 OutWrite National Poetry Slam Champion, and recipient of the 1998 Barbara Deming "Women in the Arts" grant and the 1998 "In Our Own Write" award. Even more, I don’t’ shy from her for here prominent local and national media appearances on CNN, " In the Life," " Dyke TV," Fox News Online, WBAI, WESU, KPIG FM, 88.1 Out FM as well as in Ms. Magazine, The Advocate, The Village Voice, French Elle, and Girlfriends.

Attention and acclaim aside the point is that Olson can slam her way to the real gosh-darn truth, and that is a really scary thing. She doesn’t let you take a second to forget about corporate domination and homogenization in " America’s on Sale!" or socialized sexism and self-hatred and hiding in " Daughter." She tangles ropes around your consciousness and pulls and tugs until you can’t evade the truth any longer.

However, Olson doesn’t just stomp all over racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and more, she rallies for her friends and lovers, including her middle school students in LEAP ( Learning through Expended Arts Program). Mumia Abu Jamal, the Labor Party and women at Riker Island, site of New York City main correctional facilities. For every one of her words that beat with pain, the next resounds with hope and revolution, for Olson is a vocal activist to say the least.

" People are see-through if you hold’em up to the light/people are enlightening if you plug’em in right."

Fortunately, her messages have been heard loud and clear. Citing Olson’s penchant for unity and positive social change, Patricia Ireland, President of National Organization for Women, said that Olson "bridges the gap between generations of feminists. Her voice is always honest, always political. She inspires and she ignites."

Thanks to the organizational antics of sophomore Jen Curley and the collaboration of the Women’s studies Program FOCUS, the Alliance, and helpful funds from the Student Activities Fee, La Salle, too will be blessed with the honesty, vigor, and intelligence of Olson and her spoken word masterpieces. Her performance on Friday, March 30th in the Music Room of the La Salle Union , marks the closing of Women’s History Month and the commencement of Anti-Hate week.

My only hope this time, friends is that I can utter even a few face-to-face words of my own to our fabulous visitor. Without a doubt though, my words won’t compare to hers, for her words are the art of change, justice, fairness, and love.