Poet Dominique James, 16, is a sophomore at Walter Payton College Prep and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Youmedia Chicago.

Inspired by Lucille Clifton, Homage to My Hips explores the contradictions in Dominique’s identity she says, particularly the presence of both strength and weakness, and how they harmonize to compose the dynamic woman she is.


Though everyone knows the points are not the point – the point is the poetry – congratulations to Youmedia Chicago, who was chosen as one the four Teams advancing to the Final round of the 2011 competition which celebrated over 600 young writers.