Uncensored, Unfiltered, Unapologetic, Oversharing

Our trustees and key volunteers held an ‘away morning’ on zoom in March and we were privileged to hear powerful poetry performed in person by Priss Nash.

Priss describes herself as ‘uncensored, unfiltered, unapologetic and oversharing’. She is a poet, rapper, musician and model who ‘aims to break stereotypes, make audiences question their own biases, decolonise minds and celebrate Black joy’. She performed a number of her poems live for us.

As a group, we shared our responses to her words and performances and the issues raised. People commented on how they found her words ‘raw’, ‘confronting’, ‘unflinching’, ‘hard-hitting’, ‘shocking’ and ‘uncomfortable’ but also ‘eloquent’ and ‘even beautiful’. We talked about how there can often be a tendency to make difficult things palatable and bearable but that it is important to listen and give attention to unfiltered, challenging realities. We reflected on how poetry can convey emotions and describe experiences which we might otherwise struggle to articulate or understand. Priss achieves ‘clarity’ and ‘brilliance’ with her use of words.

Priss explained that she draws directly on her lived experiences and finds that through her poetry she can express and expose her vulnerabilities in a way that feels strong and powerful. Priss reflected on how poetry has helped her from a very young age. Priss commented on the difficulties faced by those seeking therapy who face long waiting lists or are only offered a certain number of sessions. At WLAC we recognise these issues. We aim to see potential clients within two weeks of their referral and we do not set limits on the number of sessions or time period over which we offer support. We have some clients who have been supported by WLAC therapists over several years as and when they have needed our help.

As a team, we will consider sharing Priss’s poetry with some of our clients who might find them helpful to acknowledging, recognising and discussing feelings that they are experiencing in their own lives. We know that many of our clients have experienced racialised trauma. We also know that they may not feel able to talk about it, particularly as our therapists may not share these experiences. Poetry may offer a way to help open up the conversation.

You can watch Priss Nash on YouTube: AFLO. the Poet and Priss Nash - Wake Up
Winner of Kinshale Shark Award - Best Short Film Under 5 Minutes 2021
Trigger Warning: contains clips depicting acts of racism, police brutality and loss of Black life.

You can support Priss Nash here.