On Feb. 26, students filled a room on the third floor of Franklin F. Moore Library to explore books that have been banned or challenged in public schools, universities, and libraries. The event was part of a broader effort to spark discussion on the power of literature and self-expression.
One artist deeply committed to these themes is Angélica María, a Chicana poet and musician who has used poetry as a tool for empowerment since a young age. Through her work, she helps students embrace their identities and find confidence in their voices.
“When you choose art and you choose a creative life, you’re choosing to create your life,” María said.
On March 10, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) welcomed María to the NJM Room for a poetry workshop attended by over 40 students in honor of Womxn’s History Month. María, who divides her time between Los Angeles and Mexico City, has led poetry workshops at universities nationwide since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Workshop on Reclaiming Identity
María’s workshops focus on reclaiming identity and challenging harmful narratives. Some of her most well-known sessions include:
- “Say My Name” – Helping writers embrace the power of their names.
- “A Pledge to the Body” – Confronting body image struggles.
- “Speak Up & Speak Out” – Using poetry to speak out against sexual assault.
Jasmine Johnson, CDI Director, emphasized the workshop’s impact. “Whether it’s a poem, a new perspective, or remembering one of the performances, I want something to stick with students when they walk out of here,” she said.
Poetry as Resistance and Reflection
The event began with María performing a fusion of poetry and music, all centered on challenging toxic narratives. She shared four deeply personal pieces:
- “Exotic” – A lighthearted poem about metaphorically “eating a man for dinner.”
- “Ode to Eve” – A reimagining of the villainization of women in history.
- “To the Girls with Long Names” – A tribute to the women in her family.
- “They Call Me Bien Creído” – A reclaiming of the Spanish term used for confident women.
“I wanted my poems to be women-centered because it’s Womxn’s History Month,” María said. “My poetry and music are always born from women’s experiences.”
Students Share Their Own Stories
Following María’s performance, students were invited to participate in a writing workshop and open-mic session. The goal was to reclaim personal narratives—whether about names, body image, or past experiences.
As students wrote, María encouraged them, offering guidance and helping ease their stage fright. Eventually, 19 students stepped forward to read their work, sharing stories about curly hair insecurities, non-American names, body image struggles, past mistakes, and forgotten histories.
Cassie Rudolph, a junior game design major and treasurer of Rider Poets, performed a poem about her struggles with “strawberry arms”, a term she used for her skin condition.
“My arms have always been a point of insecurity,” Rudolph said. “But I’ve come to terms with it. Now I love them—I’ve trained my arms to be machines of creativity.”
Dealing with eczema, keratosis pilaris, and rosacea, Rudolph found poetry to be an outlet for her emotions. “Poetry has a unique way of allowing free thought and deep emotion. It reaches from your heart rather than your head,” she said.
The Power of Poetry in Rewriting History
For María, poetry is a way to take back power and reshape identity. As a Chicana writer, she believes in reframing history and redefining her cultural narrative.
“I feel like my history is around me all the time—I can’t ignore it,” María said. “But there are parts of my culture I want to rewrite and reclaim.”
Collaboration and Community
The CDI partnered with four student organizations for the event:
- Student Government Association
- Rider Poets
- Rider DominiRicans
- Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity
Johnson emphasized the importance of collaboration, calling student organizations the “backbone” of the university—a sentiment María echoed about women in society.
“I just feel like women are the backbone of the world,” María said. “Celebrating women is long overdue, and it’s something that can never be done enough.”
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