“Word Is Bond” examines the craft of hip-hop lyricism. Photo courtesy of A New View Film Series – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Butler University. 

LAUREN OFFENBACKER | STAFF REPORTER | loffenbacker@butler.edu

The Compass Center is kicking off its New View Film Series with “Word Is Bond”, a film exploring the culture, artistry and impact of hip-hop. 

Directed by Sacha Jenkins, “Word Is Bond” examines the craft of hip-hop lyricism and its power to reflect identity, community and social issues. The 87-minute film features artists including Nas, J. Cole, Rapsody, Anderson .Paak and Tech N9ne, who discuss their creative processes and the storytelling that shapes their music. Rather than focusing solely on history, the film highlights the writers themselves by weaving interviews, performances and reflections into a narrative about how rap lyrics serve as poetry, protest and personal testimony.

The New View Film Series — co-sponsored by the Compass Center, the Center for Interfaith Cooperation (CIC) and the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) — focuses on themes of interfaith dialogue, multiculturalism and social justice. Each screening is followed by a discussion led by subject experts, encouraging students to reflect, respond and learn from diverse perspectives.

Compass Center Assistant Director Aziel Nuñez said that structure is what sets New View apart from other campus programs.

“We don’t just screen a film,” Nuñez said. “Then, we have in depth, thoughtful conversation after the film, which engages the audience and exposes them to people who are subject experts [and] passionate about their subject.” 

This year’s series emphasizes inclusivity and amplifying underrepresented voices. “Word Is Bond” was suggested by Professor Derek Reid of JCA and championed by Professor Manon Voice, a hip-hop scholar who will help guide the post-film discussion.

Junior strategic communication major Grace Friedberg is excited about the community that the New View Film Series will foster.

“I do all of the social media marketing and make the assets for our events,” Friedberg said. “I’m not required to be at the event, but I’ll be at the event, and I will be bringing friends, because I think it’s really fun to have everybody on campus see this and support.”

The evening will begin with a high-energy pre-show featuring Butler’s hip-hop ensemble and Indianapolis’s DJ Bay. Organizers say the live performances are meant to set the tone for the night and highlight collaboration across campus. 

“I hope that the post-film discussion is also very engaging … because everything’s better when we hear all of the voices,” Friedberg said. 

Compass Center Director Marguerite Stanciu said partnerships with CIC and JCA have strengthened the series’ reach and quality.

“We show films that not a lot of people might typically have access to, and then we bring in subject experts for post-film conversations,” Stanciu said. 

The New View Film Series began nearly a decade ago through a collaboration with the CIC. In recent years, JCA joined as a sponsor, expanding programming and introducing new artistic perspectives. Stanciu said the additions have made the series more dynamic.

“The addition of JCA into the mix has also helped us think more broadly about this series,” Stanciu said. 

Although the Compass Center is often associated with interfaith dialogue, Friedberg emphasized the series is open to everyone.

“[The Compass Center] is for both religious and secular communities,” Friedberg said. “Everyone is invited to this.”

The evening will close with refreshments and informal conversation among attendees. Students can also earn a BCR credit. While snacks, dialogue and the chance to connect are part of the experience, the deeper goal is to create space for meaningful conversation across communities.

“Anytime our students have a chance to interact with people in a thoughtful way and feel that they can actually have the tiny space to ask questions and to express their ideas, I think that’s really valuable,” Stanciu said.  

For Friedberg, promoting the event has been both professional training and personal growth.

“I don’t know too much about hip-hop, but I know that the lyrics in it always have a different meaning than what you think they’re going to have,” Friedberg said. 

The combination of live performance, documentary and discussion will give Butler students more than just an evening’s entertainment. The night is bound to be full of life and knowledge.

The screening will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Edison-Duckwall Recital Hall on Sept. 24. The event is free and open to students, faculty and the wider Indianapolis community.