Verse & Vote

Culturingua's Verse and Vote: A Poetry Night for Civic Action

On National Voter Registration Day, Culturingua hosted its very first Verse and Vote: A Poetry Night for Civic Action. This event brought San Antonio community members together not only to celebrate our democracy, but to reinforce the power of collective voice and action. The event took place in the perfect setting—a Libyan-owned restaurant called Tripoli’s that serves some of the best Middle Eastern and North African cuisine in all of San Antonio. Over 40 people attended this event, including our District 5 City Councilwoman, Teri Castillo, and other community activists. At the event, people spoke about the significance of why we were gathered on National Voter Registration Day.

“The significance of today extends far beyond a simple calendar date. It serves as a reminder of the fundamental right that many of us hold—the right to vote. This right wasn’t always guaranteed and was hard-won through the struggles and sacrifices of countless individuals who came before us. From the suffragists of the early 20th century to the civil rights activists who fought for equality and access at the ballot box, their efforts have paved the way for the democratic freedoms we are due today.

However, the fight to keep these rights continues and in Texas, we face particular challenges. Recently, over a million people were removed from the voter rolls, making it more difficult for many to exercise their right to vote. This, coupled with the fact that Texas is the most challenging state to vote in, highlights a persistent and troubling trend: the ongoing efforts to undermine the voice of the people.

But even in the face of these obstacles, there is hope and inspiration. Our local poets tonight are a testament to the power of art and expression. They will remind us that our voices matter, our stories matter, and that speaking out on the issues we care about is not just a right but a responsibility.  Let their words tonight inspire you to take action, to stand up for what you believe in, and to make sure your voice is heard—at the polls and beyond.”

Culturingua set up a voter registration booth for the entire restaurant and offered to check voters’ registration status given the recent voter roll purges. Poets included Dr. Margaret Cantu-Sanchez, an author and professor at St. Mary’s University, Natalia Trevino, an immigrant from Mexico, first-generation college graduate, author, and award-winning poet., Mandy Lynn Lara, an educator, mother of four, and national poet representing San Antonio, Texas, and Anna De Luna and Kauthar Harrik-Sharif, strong Chicana and Arab women, passionate advocates and story tellers performed the closing scene of My Arab Fall, a multi-media play connecting the sexual assault endured by Egyptian female activists - to the plight of Latinas in the age of the #MeToo movement.