“To This Day”
By: Shane Koyczan

“To This Day” is a spoken word poem written by Shane Koyczan. The poem talks about Koyczan experience in the past, specifically about bullying he and others received during their lives and its deep long-term impact. He was abandoned by his parents and brought up by his grandmother. He was bullied at school and was given the name “Pork Chop”. In the poem, he also states the ambitions he wanted to be when he grows up or simply, his dreams. When his dream being a professional wrestler didn’t take place he diverted into poetry. Later on the poem, he talks about how he stands up for himself. He talks about that he is not the only one being called by names but other people as well and it is continuing at present. He talks about that there is beauty in each of us and that we should not to give up.

The theme that I realized in the spoken poem is that you have to embrace yourself no matter how bad it can get. I also realized that ever since incidents like these happens, we see it affecting our lives today and how it can change our lives. I also learned how standing up for one’s self doesn’t mean to be violent or to hurt others. I learned the importance of standing up for one’s self. I also learned that bullying has a life-long impact on self-esteem. We somehow must become what we are not, sacrificing what we are to inherit the masquerade of what we will be. I also learned to love myself despite the ease with which I lean toward the opposite. And lastly, I realized that each and every one of us has beauty within us, and if we get see it, get a better and little closer and stare a little longer.

The poem is spoken to others who have been bullied and inspires hope and encouragement in them, but is also spoken to bullies who may gain empathy from hearing and seeing this heartfelt spoken word animation. We should stop bullying, because its effect has a very big impact on one’s life. I can integrate the things I learned in this spoken poem by not using violence or bullying to defend myself from others. I can also integrate this by spreading this poem’s awareness so that many can reflect and can have comfort. If all people will be one with this we can stop bullying and overcome the bullies. Stop Bullying!