A Night of Spoken Word, a convocation event starring sophomore Demi McCoy, tackled life’s questions and how to present those struggles back into the hands of God. Monday night’s student performances addressed self-esteem, goals, stress and loneliness through song and poetry.
McCoy, Religion major, described the spiritual high that often comes after a night of praise and fellowship, but she warned the audience with her last poem, “Weary Spirit In Me,” that the walk with God is not just about the high and the next few hours or days after an inspirational event. McCoy said the walk with God is constant and always has room to grow, and the most important part about the event is “God. The Love of God.”
The night consisted of students reciting poems, playing instruments and performing a cappella. The Fireside Room was filled with excited people cheering on the performers as each one shared their testimonies through their specific art.
Senior Jamye Grant opened the evening with her poem “& I ate,” which described an inner spiritual battle. Grant gave comparisons between a Christian’s battle and “spiritual holocaust.”
After freshman Nuriel Garrett sang along with her guitar and reminded the audience that “if they hate you, it’s all right.” The care-free song led into McCoy’s first piece titled “Maybe I Could.” This poem intended to inspire the listeners to stay true to who they are and to not be pressured into being what others want them to be like. “People tell me who I could be,” McCoy said, using this poem to describe her testimony of struggling with knowing that she can change into what others want her to be.
McCoy’s next poem, “The Eye of a Needle” brought the audience to their feet. The poem posed the question of career versus faith, the constant battle between belief and worldly success. McCoy addressed the things students are often told such as “time is money” and that careers should come first so that they can support themselves and their future families. However, she later spoke against this idea. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, so it’s time I let go of my financial worries and let God lead in the right direction,” McCoy said.
The audience was further entertained by sophomores Nate Tinner and Rmani Crawford’s duet “Send Me.” Their performance spoke to the those that were blessed enough to have strength in their lives to speak up for the weak.
The last few poems by McCoy and an a capella song sung by Marie Thomas encouraged the audience in. These poems, “Bullseye,” “Trust In God,” “Your Reflection” and “I am Women” were all very different poems in terms of rhythm and emotions. Thomas’ song, “Beauty, Recognition” reminded listeners that they are beautiful but also warned the beautiful to be humble. McCoy said “Bullseye” was inspired by the testimonies of friends.
“Trust in God” directly connected with many listeners. It was inspired by McCoy’s experience last May, when she was driving and saw a homeless man holding a sign saying “Trust In God.”
“I was trying to figure out the future,” McCoy said. “God is always going to be with me.”
She told students in the audience that God will write a resume they could never dream of.
McCoy’s new CD, “Maybe I Could” is on sale for $10 on iTunes. The CD includes many of her spoken word poems, many of which were performed at the convocation event. All proceeds go towards the funds for her trip to Africa this coming summer.
