By Carly Maitlen
Entertainment Editor

They are from many different majors, cultures and walks of life. Although their personalities and backgrounds differ, one component of their individual lives runs the same — the desire to express themselves through writing.

The Haraka Writers is a student group that meets in the Black Cultural Center throughout the semester to practice writing and performing their writings.

Yvette Brown, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, has been involved with Haraka since 1995.

"It was a form to express myself and we are the only writing group on campus," said Brown. "I write poetry, essays … I do the whole gamut of writing."

Brown's involvement with Haraka has benefited her in her majors: professional writing and creative writing.

"You get a new perspective on things because everyone has a different opinion," she said. "If you go to one of our meetings and ask a question, everyone will give you a different opinion."

The group has an artist—in—residence, Sporty King. He was hired last year after his appearance as a guest speaker. At the time, there happened to be an opening for the job, and after he was interviewed, they hired him.

"My role is, number one, to be a coach because my professional business is motivational speaking," said King. "What I do is help them focus on their speaking style to help them get their message across in a more efficient way."

King is not only a motivational speaker and the artist—in—residence, but he is also a poet.

"I'm not telling them about something that I don't know," said King.

The group is known primarily for its poetry; however, it also does a number of other kinds of writings, including essays, short stories and skits.

"We do everything, literally. We give the people what they come to see us for, which is poetry," said Brown.

By being the only group of its kind at Purdue, students can gain a lot from their experiences with the group.

"Purdue is not a literary arts school," King said. "This is extracurricular. This is their craft that they do on their own." He said other universities might not be taking advantage of their multitalented students.

King said that by writing, performing and working as a group, students are learning valuable skills, such as public speaking and communication, that they will use long after graduation.

"These are lifeskills that you are going to use when you graduate," he said. "It's a skill as well as something you can do as a hobby."

The writers cover just about any topic imaginable. Brown said Haraka does three main performances: poetry and punch in October, love poems around Valentine's Day and Haraka Fest, which takes place tonight.

Christian Turner, a junior in the School of Technology, joined to improve his poetry.

"I joined because I wanted people to hear my poetry and it has inspired me to write more," said Turner. "It's about learning the inner connections of poetry."

Temesgen Strickland, a junior in the School of Management, said Haraka serves as an emotional outlet.

"It’s really like a form of therapy," Strickland said. "I come here and I feel relaxed around people who are on the same mind—waves."

Others agreed with Strickland.

Yashekia Felder, a graduate student, was also searching for a release when she found Haraka.

"I needed a place to come and express myself and talk about things that normally wouldn't come out.

"I enjoy it. I'm a lot more stress—free because I talk about everything that's on my mind," said Felder.

The Haraka Writers will be performing at 8 p.m. tonight in the multipurpose room at the Black Cultural Center.

"(Tonight's) performance is more of a topical one," said King. The group has decided it needs to speak out against social injustice, he said. He said the writings range from topics of police shootings to kids with guns to relationships, "anywhere there is disharmony."

There are three rounds in the performance with three poets in each round. Each poet has written between two and three pieces to present. However, not everyone has to participate if they don’t feel moved by the topic.

"I don't force anybody to write because you can’t force passion," he said.

King has a specific nickname for the students in Haraka Writers. He calls them "The Young Prophets."

"I believe that what they say in their poetry is prophecy," said King. He said it takes a lot for a person to stand up and be brave enough to present their writings, which are direct reflections on a person's life, personality and feelings.

King also believes that through what they write, the Haraka Writers are educating those who are listening.

"Whenever you educate someone, it is a prophecy," he said. "When you force someone to use your name in a conversation or the information you have put out, you are a prophet."

Other than the three main performances each year, Haraka goes into the community at local elementary schools, high schools and local libraries to perform their talent.

"It’s not just encouraging to elementary education students, it's necessary," said King. He said that elementary school and high school kids connect better with college students because they are closer in age than teachers and parents.

He said even if a teacher is young and just out of college, the students still view them as old and therefore are not in touch with them. Some students who want to go to college — but not necessarily to become teachers — are then exposed to other college opportunities.

"Everybody's got to show … the people at the level behind you what's attainable," said King. "Everybody needs a variety of role models."

He said that when the Haraka Writers go to a school and show the kids that it is all right to write poetry and express your feelings, they may be more willing to express this in themselves.

"You never know how you are going to touch somebody's life," said King.

There is a callout for Haraka Writers at the beginning of each semester, but that doesn't mean it is too late to join if you missed it. King said sometimes people join the group mid-semester and they are often transfer students from other universities.

"People can come to rehearsals and read and not be part of performances," said King, although not many people go this route.