The Performance of Feminist and Decolonial Critique: Spoken Word Poetry as an Affirmative and Popular Practice in the Public Space

Abstract

Combining contemporary debates on critical theory within the humanities with a feminist and decolonial perspective on performance as an critical art practice, this thesis uses current US spoken word artists as case studies in examining the potentiality that performance has for invigorating the theory and methodology of critique. By discussing the spoken word artist as a critical actor who utilises storymaking, language reclamation and personal narrative for feminist and/or decolonial critical purposes, as well as the relationship that the art form has with the public space, spectatorship and the affective role of the audience, this thesis presents spoken word poetry as an affirmative and popular approach to critique for feminism and decolonialism.