ENTERTAINMENT comes in many forms, and this week’s personality brings entertainment to any audience, through the eloquent words that roll off her tongue.

Renata Burnette, 22, who hails from Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, is a poet and activist who says she possesses the energy of a thousand Eartha Kitts.

She is widely known for her exceptional spoken word pieces, having performed at several forums across the country. She even held her own event a few weeks back, dubbed ‘Shea Butter’, and showcased her exceptional skill set.

Not only are people entertained by her talent, but the words she speaks impact lives and stir positive change, because of their consciousness and relatability.

However, though known as a poet, Burnette said that her passion really is activism.

“Many people believe that poetry is my passion, but it really isn’t. Being an activist propelled my writing skills. Fighting for what I believe in, like women empowerment, human rights, mental health, speaking against injustice and inequality. Poetry has given me a platform to stand up for what I believe in, and by extension be a voice for the voiceless,” the young woman told ‘the Buzz Magazine’.

She said that her writing and activism are inspired by pain, injustice, and the need for someone who simply wants what is best for the future generation.

Her discovery for this passion, she said, was made some years ago when she commanded the attention of a room filled with women after speaking about her absentee father.

“A pin could have dropped, and it would have echoed. They connected to my message and they related to my pain… Someone even said, ‘That’s what I didn’t know how to say. Thank you for sharing your pain with us, I understood every word.’ And that gave me all the conformation I needed that not only did I like doing what I was doing, but I was breathing poetry and activism. I didn’t know how not to,” Burnette said.

Although she knows her passion, the young woman said she is not yet sure what she aspires to be. However, she knows that she wants to change the world through her poetry and the knowledge she will acquire over the years.

“But right now, I’m just aspiring to be the best version of myself,” Renata said.
Her message to young people is to strive to be themselves, and not anyone else, because emulating others will not create an impact.

“Everyone’s unique, and that will always make us different. Don’t try to match your pain or struggle to anyone else’s. That’s not how this works. Put in the time; sit in that feeling, but don’t allow it to consume you… Then you write what you feel. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be you. And if the world can’t deal with it, that’s their business, ‘cause the truth is the truth, even when we don’t want to hear it,” the activist said.