Duo brings awareness of social issues through poetry

Destinee Lopez

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Photo by: Destinee Lopez

Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman stand on stage at the Fresno City Colllege Auditorium while performing poetry.

Echoes of poetry filled the  Fresno City College auditorium Sunday evening when two poets read about world problems.

The event was hosted by Dulce Upfront and the duo, Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman, who make up the world-renowned Climbing Poetree, performed on April 24.

Garcia and Penniman used their poetry and songs to bring awareness to world problems.

The two have traveled to countries such as South Africa and Cuba, performing with artist like Alicia Keys, Nikki Giovanni, The Last Poets and Dead Prez.

Together, they brought tears to audience member’s eyes. The two social activists used their powerful words to talk about social issues such as the “Black Lives Matters” movement, women’s rights, LGBTQ and global warming.

The mix of rhythmic music and inspiring words left people in the audience in awe of the truth in their poetry.

Images behind them displayed natural disasters, human poverty and death, showing the difficulties that exist in many communities.  

“We believe that the most powerful thing we have is our creativity, imagination and our inspiration,” Garcia said. “In order to get these things activated, we have to know what is happening [in the world] to get active.”

The duo is known for exposing injustice and shining hope into the communities that they visit. Through their art, they hope to inspire for a better tomorrow.