Rarely do those who are different from others proudly put their differences on display for the world to see and judge, but that is exactly what Sister Spit is about.

To kick off PRIDE week at Sacramento State, UNIQUE, the Multi-Cultural, Pride and the Women’s Resource Centers invited Sister Spit – a spoken word troupe – to come perform April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Union Ballroom.

Sister Spit, founded by Michelle Tea and Sini Anderson in 1994, started as a San Francisco based, lesbian-feminist, spoken-word and performance art collective.

In the past, the group was known for their Ramblin’ Roadshow, where they toured the country with their spoken word pieces, and their performances at feminist events.

Ramblin’ Roadshow tours ended for Sister Spit in the early 2000s, but this spring, Sister Spit is back with new members in addition to some who have toured with Sister Spit in the past.

The performers of Sister Spit are a very diverse group who pride themselves on being revolutionary and outspoken about their beliefs and experiences.

Last week’s performers included Rhiannon Argo, Virgie Tovar, Beth Lisick, Dia Felix, Jerry Lee Abram and Chinaka Hodge.

Junior government-journalism student, Hope Roberts, said she enjoyed that each performer was so different yet relatable.

“Its nice to know that other people are experiencing what your are experiencing,” said Roberts.

With each performance came a eclectic and courageous story and special energy for the audience to feed off of.

Two particular performances seemed to hit home for the audience most.

Tovar, a fat activist and leading expert on fat discrimination and body image, hit the stage at the same moment a giant, fierce picture of Miss Piggy popped up onto the projector.

Tovar gave listeners a peak of her book “Hot and Heavy,” and told stories of her childhood and how she came to love her “fat” and use it as a weapon against anyone who has an issue with the way she looks.

“My fat is political because it seems to piss people off when I show it,” said Tovar.

Her messages were delivered with doses of comedy but with enough seriousness for people to understand and relate to her message.

Organizational communications studies major, Kaylee Hrisoulas enjoyed the messages from Tovar.

“I found the speakers very empowering. There were messages that I have sought out before in addition to new messages such as Hot and Heavy’s [Tovar’s]. I totally related to that; I feel like she was speaking to me,” said Hrisoulas.

Poet, educator playwright and screenwriter, Hodge, emceed the Sister Spit show.

She kept the audience entertained between sets and made sure each performer was properly welcomed on stage with a sea of applause and she also surprised a few when she hopped off the stage to begin her closing piece for the show.

Hodge feels it is important for Sister Spit viewers to see people like them on stage shining, allowing them to relate and shine in their own goals as well.

“Most of my writing is for black girls. I want us not only to survive but to thrive,” said Hodge. “I want us to be able to see ourselves [as] complex.”

“My favorite was [Hodge]. She wasn’t just reading off of things; she came with it and jumped off the stage [during her performance]. I could feel her power. I took away a lot from her,” said ethnic studies major Kyla Taylor.

In addition to Hodge and Tovar, every other performer from Sister Spit brought something new to the table.

Performers told hilarious stories about threesomes is Japan, clubbing in New Orleans and falling in love with your best friend, creating a well-rounded event.

 “The biggest thing I got [from the event] was [to] be you regardless. You have to decide for you,” said Taylor. “Even if there are some things they [viewers] don’t agree with, they’ll at least see different perspectives and that’s what college is about: to grow and learn more things.”

Read more about Sister Spit and their spring tour here: http://www.radarproductions.org/sister-spit-2014/

Anisca Miles can be reached at [email protected]