Coffee House Opens Door to Unity

I remember the times when I gave up and fought
When I succumbed to the jokes and taunts
Reverting to the man I once was, violent and stupid,
But I won’t let these people manipulate me
I will become the man I want to be

With these words, a young African American man vowed to resist a degrading stereotype. Not long after, a recent immigrant from Mexico read a poem, thanking her friends for standing by her through a tough time. Another young poet challenged the judgment and exclusion she faces as a bisexual student. Anyone who faltered was lifted by a swell of encouraging snaps from the audience. And everyone who took the stage was rewarded with waves of applause.

I had been nervous about this informal gathering, a “coffee house,” that my students and I planned as part of a service-learning project. That week, we plastered the walls of our high school with flyers inviting students to share their music, poetry and art. We covered lunch tables with green plastic tablecloths and topped them with battery-operated tea candles. After securing a donation from the local Starbucks, we hauled in urns of hot coffee and surrounded them with baked goods. Even after all these efforts, I worried about things that could go wrong. What if no one shows up? What if people show up, but no one performs? What if students perform, but the audience is rude or hostile?

As they often do, my students surprised me. With the lights dimmed, and an audience waiting, they rose to the occasion with talent, poise and tremendous courage. I never expected them to take on such a range of difficult topics. As one student after another rose from the audience to take the mic, I was amazed by the earnest and sincere support. Snaps, claps, and cheers of encouragement greeted every performer, regardless of their subject, status, background, or year in school. For that evening, and in that suddenly intimate setting, all my students were united by an appreciation for original art and for each other’s differences. 

A few key elements made this event a success. First, it didn’t take place in a classroom. Breaking out of those four walls made it easier for students to break out of the typical high school constraints. Unlike a talent show, however, it was a fairly informal, low-pressure affair.  Aside from a sign-up sheet on the wall, there was no set program. Our stage was just a mic and two speakers. Most important, my students were involved in the planning of the event. They felt invested in its success.

Teenagers need supportive adults in their lives. But in high school, students can grow wary of adults. We often forget that what students crave more than anything is what we can’t give them—the acceptance of their peers. And although the media provides endless examples of teenagers’ cruelty to each other, young people have an incredible capacity for kindness. An event like a coffee house can help them tap into that capacity and connect them to an invaluable resource—the support they can offer each other.

Want to plan a coffee house? Check out these poetry activities [2] and this slam poetry manual [3].

Melville is high school English, Spanish and drama teacher in Pennsylvania.