How Canadian Poetry is Changing the World: The Rupi Kaur Effect
How Canadian Poetry is Changing the World: The Rupi Kaur Effect
The Canadian poet who takes on all subjects with resiliency and grace; empowering a generation of women
Let’s Talk About Rupi Kaur
When you think of Canadian innovators, poets don’t always jump to mind. But Rupi Kaur is changing all of that.
She’s turning the literary world upside down and reshaping how we see poetry.
Her journey, though? Not your typical immigrant success story. Far from it.
The Early Struggles
Kaur was born in Punjab, India in 1992, and moved to Brampton, Ontario at the age of three.
Her early life wasn’t easy:
Childhood trauma: She faced sexual abuse and bullying.
Racism and poverty: Her family struggled to make ends meet.
Cultural taboos: She navigated life facing silence around topics like menstruation, domestic violence, and the objectification of women.
Instead of being defeated by these experiences, Kaur used them to fuel her art.
The Poetry Revolution: Instapoetry
Kaur began performing poetry in 2009, but things really took off when she started posting on Instagram.
In 2014, she self-published Milk and Honey while still a university student.
Her style? Completely new. She didn’t follow the rules. Kaur’s Instapoetry is
Short, punchy verses.
Paired with simple illustrations.
Raw, emotional, and stripped of the fluff you find in traditional poetry.
Here’s a sample from Milk and Honey:
“i want to apologize to all the women i have called beautiful before i’ve called them intelligent or brave…” - Rupi Kaur
She’s not just writing for beauty—she’s calling for a deeper respect for women, beyond appearances.
Tackling Tough Topics
Kaur didn’t just stop at feminism.
She dives into issues that are still considered taboo in many circles:
Sexual abuse
Body image
Menstruation
Racism
In The Sun and Her Flowers, she wrote:
“i stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can i do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther.” - Rupi Kaur
Kaur’s words resonate with women who have felt silenced or ignored.
Global Impact
Kaur’s poetry exploded in Canada and then onto the global stage.
Her books have been translated into over 40 languages, and she’s sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
That’s more than just success—that’s a cultural shift.
Her work has:
Inspired a generation of young poets, especially women of colour.
Brought poetry back into the mainstream.
Given a voice to the voiceless.
Shed light on the dark corners of our society that have been easier to ignore than to acknowledge and address.
But what makes Kaur’s success significant for today’s discussion is that it’s quintessentially Canadian:
Her story blends her Punjabi Sikh heritage with her Canadian upbringing.
Her self-publishing journey mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit Canadians take pride in.
Her story is about uncovering truths and having challenging conversations about trauma and its long-lasting impacts on individuals and groups of people.
Critics and Controversy
Of course, not everyone loves Instapoetry.
Critics have called it simplistic, saying it lacks depth. But love her or hate her, you can’t ignore her.
What makes Kaur stand out is her vulnerability. In her TED Talk, she opened up about struggles like self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
“I was a child when I learned that monsters don’t sleep under your bed. They live inside your head.” - Rupi Kaur
There is no way I can even attempt to explain the power and grace of Rupi Kaur’s Ted Talk - I'm Taking My Body Back.
Listening to her words and how she uses them is the only way to experience her story.
A story that she wrote for herself as a way to cope. But she now shares to help others find their words, tell their stories, and cope with their own trauma.
A Voice for the Voiceless
In Home Body, she writes:
“what is the greatest lesson a woman should learn that since day one she’s already had everything she needs within herself it’s the world that convinced her she did not.” - Rupi Kaur
Her work is more than just poetry—it’s about healing and empowerment.
Canada on the World Stage
Let’s not forget that Kaur’s success also puts Canadian literature on the global map.
She shows the world that our stories matter. That diversity, resilience, and multiculturalism are things we’re proud of.
Kaur’s poetry sparks conversations about:
Mental health.
Body image.
Cultural identity.
Power and patriarchy.
And her openness has helped others share their own stories and seek help.
Her success is proof of what happens when we give voice to different experiences and embrace diversity.
So, Is Rupi Kaur Changing the World?
Heck yes.
She’s brought conversations out of the shadows and into the light.
She inspires hope and returns the power over one’s body to where it rightfully belongs.
She’s taken poetry out of dusty textbooks and put it in the hands of millions—on Instagram, on bookshelves, and in the global consciousness.
Whether you’re a fan of her style or not, there’s no denying her impact. She embodies the best traits of an innovative spirit.
Next time someone tells you poetry is dead, just point them to Rupi Kaur. She’s not just writing verses; she’s rewriting the rules.
Or point them to the countless others she’s inspired to use art and social media to cope with their trauma and to find their own voices.
If you’re unfamiliar with her work, start with her Instagram account.
Have a rad rest of your day!
Here's a list of sources and links used for researching this article:
Webology article: "Deconstruction Of 'The Woman' In Rupi Kaur's Poetry: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis"
https://www.webology.org/data-cms/articles/20220718061035pmwebology%2018%20(5)%20-%20237.pdfUniversity of Tartu thesis: "Feminist Ideas in milk and honey by Social Media Poet Rupi Kaur"
https://dspace.ut.ee/server/api/core/bitstreams/a25dbefc-c4e2-40bd-b50c-5f10988716ed/contentLewis Howes podcast interview: "Rupi Kaur Opens Up: 'I Felt Invisible' How To Transcend Trauma & Find Your Self Worth"
https://lewishowes.com/podcast/rupi-kaur-opens-up-i-felt-invisible-how-to-transcend-trauma-find-your-self-worth/Vogue Portugal interview: "Rupi Kaur: 'When we connect, we feel less alone'"
https://www.vogue.pt/rupi-kaur-interviewPoem Analysis biography: "Rupi Kaur: The Voice of a Generation"
https://poemanalysis.com/rupi-kaur/biography/Poetry Foundation profile: "Rupi Kaur"
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/rupi-kaurColorado State University article: "National Poetry Month: Rupi Kaur"
https://english.colostate.edu/news/npm-rupi-kaur/Wikipedia article: "Rupi Kaur"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupi_Kaur