The Politics of Poetry: Protest, Perspectives and Social Commentary
Poetry has long been more than just an artistic expression — it has been a vehicle for resistance, a voice for the marginalized and a mirror to society’s triumphs and failures. In this session, we will discuss how poetry and poetic traditions have historically intersected with sociopolitical struggles, from anti-colonial resistance to contemporary critiques of power and identity. How does poetry shape political discourse? Can it still challenge the status quo in the digital age? Join us for a conversation on the enduring political power of verse — where poetics meets protest, and language becomes a force of reflection and change.
About the Speaker:
Sajal Maria Hameed is an anthropologist and art critic known for her incisive anti-imperialist analysis of cultural expression. Her work examines the intersections of art, power and identity, shedding light on how poetry, prose and musical traditions reflect — and resist — systems of domination. With a focus on the legacies of colonialism and the resilience of indigenous wisdom, Sajal sees poetics as a living archive of social consciousness. Through her writings and conversations, she critiques oppression and amplifies silenced voices, creating space for justice, liberation and radical imagination.
About the Moderator:
Rakia Maryam is a student of anthropology at Quaid-i-Azam University with a strong interest in the cultural dimensions of social problems. Passionate about the power of literature as a form of social activism, she explores how poetry and other expressive traditions reflect struggles for justice, identity and community. Her work seeks to bridge academic inquiry with grassroots voices, aiming conversations that challenge norms and encourage critical reflection.
This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.
The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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