Poets join together across country with peace as goal

Buffalo State College held an event in conjunction with 100 Thousand Poets for Change, a global effort that took place Saturday in 550 cities, in 95 countries, all with different themes to promote change.

According to 100tpc.org, the event's official website, the organization is hoping to change the way we view those around the globe that share the same views as we do, while also promoting social and political change.

The event at Buffalo State lasted all day and took place in the Bulger Communication Center, featuring poetry readings, song, dance and music.

David Landrey, associate professor emeritus of English and the event coordinator, said when he thought about it, there was no way he couldn't be part of it.

"There has never in the history of humanity been a larger arts event," he said.

Poets, musicians and performers from the community were all invited to participate, and Landrey said there was a lot of enthusiasm, and many people committed and performed at the event.

Each location was able to choose its own theme for its event that fits within the framework of peace and sustainability. Something that the organizations founder Michael Rothenberg said is a concern across the globe and "a guiding principle for this global event."

The theme for the event here at Buffalo State was healing, and it was the only location to have this theme.

"Our city and nation and world are wounded badly by institutional cruelty," Landrey said. "If we don't begin the healing on the ground and in our arts, it will never happen."

Landrey says poets can change the heart and soul, and have the ability to change the way people think. Poetry can affect people in ways normal words can't.

According to the official press release for the event, everyone involved hoped to get people thinking more about peace and sustainability through their actions and events.

Landrey said life is more than money and power, and part of the healing is to make people realize this.

Those in power find joy in denying the rest of us what we feel, something Landrey said the event showed a lot of.

Landrey said the mainstream media often depicts only what those in power want, and ignore what "people of spirit" are doing and thinking.

"With the quality of art on display throughout the day, (it) showed that there is something inside people that cannot be denied," he said.

Landrey said there was a great turnout of speakers and listeners, and those who participated had a great time.

Student involvement was also greatly encouraged at the event. Invitations were sent out to 64 local high schools but with no response. Landrey said this won't help the cause.

"Youth must be involved for any change to occur," he said.

Matt Schmidt can be reached by e-mail at schmidt.record@live.com