Students speak their truth in poetry about where they live

Workshop explores impact of housing discrimination, gentrification

March 5, 2019

How can a poem express an awareness of where you live? Ottawa Hills High School students found out at a recent housing workshop led by The Diatribe, an educational performing-arts group, and the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan. In a nine-week program, “Writing to Right Wrongs,” students learned how historic housing discrimination patterns and gentrification affect where people live, how place of residence affects others’ perceptions, and responded with spoken-word poems. Students were encouraged to enter the Fair Housing Poetry Contest, which awards $200 and a Diatribe mentorship to the top two entries. Entries are due by Thursday, March 7 to info@thediatribe.org.

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Brett Atwood

Brett Atwood has worked in broadcast television for nearly six years. Having graduated with a bachelor's degree in TV Production from Ferris State University, he continues to produce promotional and lifestyle content for WOOD TV8, in addition to owning his own freelance video business, Be Heard Productions. Brett has a great love for telling compelling stories in a creative format. He is excited to use his talents in sharing what's happening within our local schools.