Words as Weapons (WAW) is a youth activism and literacy conference that brings together students from across the Bay Area to participate in a day of civic engagement, social justice and arts education.
Words as Weapons functions in tandem with our annual Bringing the Noise for Martin Luther King, Jr. event, and both celebrate the legacy of Dr. King–one through art, and the other through civic engagement. At the conference, youth participate in workshops where they will explore a yearly theme.
In 2009, with the theme of “Radical Love (and other) Letters,” youth engaged in creative writing and social justice workshops facilitated by some of the best and brightest poet mentors and youth development organizations in the Bay Area. Teachers will also have an opportunity to participate in a professional development workshop that pushes the limits of pedagogy and creativity in the classroom.
The day concludes with an open mic and arts concert featuring performances by youth attendee as well as HBO Def poets and local emcees and musicians.