by Erica Easter, Staff Reporter

November 30, 2005

On Wednesday, November 16, spoken word artist Kenny Carnes came to Regis to perform his one-man show entitled, "War, Peace, and the Anatomy of Being Human." The solo act focused on the experiences of veterans and active duty soldiers by using wartime narratives through the perspective of those in the military.

Carnes is a Providence College ROTC alum, and was stationed in the 1st Cavalry Division Attack Helicopter Battalion in Ft. Hood, Texas. To create his performance, he researched war correspondence from World War II, Vietnam and Iraq wars and those that experienced 9/11. By speaking in prose and poetic monologues, Carnes gave voices to many separate and distinct characters ranging from a 9/11 widower, a battlefield medic, a homeless veteran, corporate CEO and the fictional Sgt. Freeman.

The monologues revealed the harrowing, tragic consequences of war: the wrenching loneliness of survivors, the chaos and sheer human obliteration of modern combat, the discord between the platitudes of war-makers the disillusionment of war fighters, and the general apathy the American public and media express towards the plight of former and active soldiers.

"By hearing personal stories of people who have been affected firsthand," commented RUSGA director of Social Justice, Kristi Schaefer, "it forced people to question their personal role in what is happening so far away."

"The idea was to develop a discussion that was thought provoking and challenging," said Dave Law, director of Student Activities. "We get a lot of dialogues, panels, movies, etc., but this gave us a different way to look at the topic."

Law encouraged students to attend this event because "[war] is a timely issue that is hard to understand at times, but this thematic performance enriched understanding." Schaefer also added, "I thought it was crucial that students attend this event because Ken Carnes has a gift for showing the human side of such complex issues like the death penalty and war."

The event was sponsored by CHOICES, Student Activities, Residence Life, and the Social Justice Committee.

Phillip Sparer also contributed to this article.