Words are change

Poetry comprises words, but it can also create action and, even, change. Poets Francisco X. Alarcón and Graciela B. Ramírez will read Sunday, February 1, at theAvid Reader as part of the Mosaic of Voices series. Alarcón grew up in Mexico and now teaches at UC Davis. In addition to writing numerous books, he's also an activist—recent work includes the Facebook page “Poets Responding to SB 1070,” which uses poetry to raise awareness of the Arizona law that targets immigrants. Ramírez is a renowned local poet who taught Spanish and Ethnic Studies at Sacramento State University. Hosted by Nancy Aide Gonzales, the series connects poets and scholars with the community, as part of a bigger effort to turn words into action.