In fall of 2015, it only took a few students to recognize a community outlet was missing at Kean University and fill it.

Poetry, with its intricately laced words and meanings, was that outlet. And the solution to this void on campus was Prisoners of Words (P.O.W.). Once P.O.W. dotted its i’s and crossed its t’s, the poetry-driven organization was offered to students on campus.

“We [Prisoners of Words (P.O.W.)] saw that Kean [University] did not have a specific entity that catered strictly to the poet that is inside each and every one of us,” explained Shawn Lawson, Jr., President and Founder of P.O.W. and psychology major with a minor in sociology. “We wanted to create a space in which judgment was left at the door and individuals were able to express themselves…while we provide [the] avenues and the comfort to do so.”

In its description on Cougar Link, it is stated that P.O.W.'s "mission is to rid stress and raise consciousness." While this may seem like a large undertaking for the relatively new organization, P.O.W. is confident in accomplishing the task.

“We strive [for] people to break out of their shell society has casted upon them and open their minds to the diversity of problems and mind states that their peers may have,” Lawson said. “During our meetings we encourage vulnerability and transparency so that as a community we are able to defuse stressful situations and problems someone be experiencing. We [P.O.W.] are [here] to help.”

Ultimately, P.O.W. wants to pave the way for expression. Expression of its members, other students, and the community at large.

“The world is a horrid but beautiful place and we try [to] shine light to areas that can be considered dark. Depression, police brutality, racial profiling and stereotyping, [and] global warming, among many others,” Lawson commented.

In all areas of daily life—school, work, social—people are constantly being criticized for either not expressing themselves or expressing themselves in the wrong manner. P.O.W. is meant to be a safe haven for expression, for thoughts to be explored.

College, and the student clubs and organizations within it, is meant to be a place for individuals to gain something, whether it be beneficial for society, an individual or both.

Through P.O.W., Lawson hopes individuals will “[get] over fears, specifically stage freight and speaking in front of others. We all started scared to share a syllable because of uneasiness and the perception of what the audience might think. We want people to get out of their heads and embody themselves, letting their words and story spill out of their mouths.”

Even though the organization is young and only has one semester under its belt, P.O.W. has hosted three events along with co-hosted some.

A unique event of P.O.W. was its only bake sale to date.

 “[W]e hosted a bake sale in which we titled Hi-KU—a play on the form of poetry “Haiku”. With every donation, our members created a personalized haiku catering to whatever subject the donator gave us.”

Perhaps the most successful event P.O.W. brought to the Kean community was The Night Show, which was co-hosted with Latin Sorority Lambda Theta Alpha.

“We filled up the entire Cougar’s Den! Plus, standees! We put on a showcase featuring Kean [University]’s very students as well as talents from across the states, including New York, performing anything from monologues, poetry/spoken word, rapping and singing,” Lawson said. “The turnout was beyond graceful and a blessing.”

P.O.W. isn’t stopping there with its innovative events that gain traction with students.

“April is National Poetry Month! So, the week of [April] 15 we have a couple of events, including a writing workshop where we will be teaching forms of poetry and a poetry slam for the students to compete in,” Lawson shared.

P.O.W. membership, as Lawson said, is a “Really simple procedure: either come to our meetings every Thursday [at] 3:30 [p.m.] in the Cougars Den or go on Cougar Link and look us up...We are open for any suggestions or comments for you to add to how we can improve as a unit.”

Being a member constitutes freedom of expression while self-recognition is developed.

“We create a space for you to be who you truly are, not the mask you might put on to get throughout the day. Maybelline or Cover Girl couldn’t create the foundation we build. We want to build with you.”