SLAM

The power of poetry has been explored in Black films such as Jason's Lyric and Love Jones; however, the role poetry plays in Slam is vastly different. In Slam, the main character Ray's mastery of poetry makes him a catalyst for change. The other characters admire Ray and at first, his non violent approach bewilders them.  The message of the movie is clear. Intellect transcends violence and can help decrease violence. Ray is able to change the mindset of the characters and make them realize that their violence is a never ending cycle.

A strong point of the movie is that there are no clear solutions at the end of the movie. The fate of Ray is unclear at the end of the movie. He has to return to jail but the audience does not know whether or not he will plead guilty and serve a lengthier sentence. The fact that the film does not have a happy ending is important. For the Black men in the jail system in D.C and throughout America, there are no easy solutions. The film shows that there is hope for things to change, but makes it clear that there is no easy fix.

Also, the film furthers the idea that people in tumultuous urban settings need the outlet of poetry. Poetry and rap are linked in the film as one in the same. In the film, Ray raps and recites poetry. In Slam poetry serves as more than a means to catch the attention of a love interest. It serves as a way for the main character to maintain his sanity. In the film, when Ray's love interest compares her past to his present circumstance it doesn't make much sense. She was addicted to drugs and  sold her body for drugs. Ray says, "Who was selling it to you?" and she says, "Right, who was selling it to me!" They are pretty much saying that he is a major part of the issue in their community. This did not make sense to me because Ray was selling weed. Weed has in no way ravished the Black community in the way that crack cocaine has. Ultimately, Slam is a powerful film that is so true to life that it seems like it is based on a true story.