Verses that worry, teach and de-etiquette: the slam.
Poetry Slam, memory, non-formal education, orality, performance and social labeling.
This is a work about slam from empirical and theoretical perspectives. I begin this dissertation by describing the functioning, elements, and main rules of spoken word poetry battles. Subsequently, I conduct a historical survey of the phenomenon, covering from its origins in the United States to the present day. I also present a mapping of the presence of slam in Brazil and Latin America; I will share memories, experiences, and productions accumulated from contact and exchange with slam communities on national and international territory. In the second round and in the conclusion of this investigation, based on bibliographic research and dialogue with authors from various fields of knowledge, I dedicate myself to analyzing and reflecting on the scenic, educational, social, and political potentialities of slam, seeking to understand it as a space for teaching and learning and what I call here a ritual of social destigmatization. It is concluded that the characteristic poetic performance of slam goes beyond the simple recitation of poems; it represents a manifestation of identity, resistance, and transformation. Participants use the poetry of body and voice as a tool to challenge social norms and stereotypes, expressing their experiences and perspectives authentically and profoundly. In this way, I conclude that slam becomes a ritual of social deconstruction; for the society that once labeled someone as a possible criminal begins to see them in a different light - no longer as such a pejorative label - but rather as a poet or artist.