La Academia Speaks! Vol. 5 Cafe Cultura Community Speaks Project #35 Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
La Academia Speaks! Vol. 5 Copyright Š 2016 by Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.
To the resilient and intelligent students in our Spoken Word elective‌Be the leaders we need! #CafeCultura #XpressYourself #TellingOurStories
Acknowledgments Thank you La Academia staff for supporting Café Cultura and our Spoken Word elective. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with your students. Special thank you to the students in our class for stepping out of your comfort zone to be powerful. Remember: “It is our responsibility and choice to express ourselves and lift our voice, together building unity, leaders in our community. This is how we tell our stooorrrryyyy!”
Foreword It is with great pleasure that Café Cultura presents our fifth volume of youth-written spoken word from La Academia at the Denver Inner City Parish. In addition to representing the beauty of our ongoing partnership, this book shows the level of insight and creativity these students possess when given the opportunity to express themselves. It was an honor to use our “Telling Our Stories” curriculum to push students to speak their truths and inspire others. We look forward to staying connected, as they develop into the leaders we need. Enjoy and share their words! For those who do not know about our organization: Café Cultura is an award-winning arts, culture, and youth development organization in Denver that promotes unity and healing among Indigenous peoples through creative expression while empowering youth to find their voice, reclaim oral and written traditions, and become leaders in their communities. Café Cultura has been providing positive, creative, and engaging community spaces for the Denver metropolitan area for more than ten years. After the passing of respected elder and veteran poet Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado, we accepted responsibility to continue using our oral and written traditions to provide opportunities for creative expression often not offered in schools or in the larger community. Café Cultura also drew inspiration from the movement connecting Indigenous people from throughout the Americas. We use creative expression to unify people representing southern Indigenous nations, known by terms such as “Chicana/o” and “Latina/o,” with those Natives of northern nations, referred to as “American Indian” or “Native American.” Café Cultura hosts one of the best open mic venues in the Denver metropolitan area, and the only space focused on family and youth. We also conduct highly engaging and culturally relevant spoken word/poetry workshops for underserved youth through-
out Colorado. CafĂŠ Cultura partners with select organizations and schools to facilitate an intensive workshop series, publish youth poetry, and organize participant showcases. In an effort to develop young leaders within our community, we also coordinate a youth leadership program for Indigenous youth. If you or your organization is interested in collaborating, feel free to contact us. For more information about our open mic events, workshops, youth leadership program, and other programs: info@cafecultura.org 720-394-6589 www.cafecultura.org
Table of Contents The Struggle Is Real by Prizma ............................................................1 Latino Justice by Keilah ........................................................................2 Feathers on a Dreamcatcher by Taylor ...............................................4 Unknown by Kayla ................................................................................5 The Beautiful City by Leiani-nalee.......................................................6 A Reminder by Anjelina ........................................................................7 Success by Yarixa ...................................................................................8 Believe In Yourself by Sophi ................................................................9 Time by Luis ........................................................................................ 10 My Pride by Joslyn .............................................................................. 11 The One Who Mix Inside of Me by Gabby .................................... 12 I Am Who I Am by Gabriel .............................................................. 13 Play Through It by Prizma ................................................................ 14 Momma by Keilah............................................................................... 15 The Sound of Music by Taylor ......................................................... 17 I Am from Patulal by Kayla ............................................................... 18 A Blank Canvas by Leiani-nalee........................................................ 20 My Best by Anjelina ............................................................................ 21 Flash by Yarixa .................................................................................... 23 A 20 Year Old Future by Joslyn ....................................................... 24 Untitled by Luis ................................................................................... 25 A Bright Future by Sophi................................................................... 26 Music by Prizma .................................................................................. 27
No Shade, Just Tea by Keilah ............................................................ 28 The Man In My Dream by Taylor..................................................... 29 Perfect Place by Leiani-nalee ............................................................. 30 Disney by Kayla ................................................................................... 31
The Struggle Is Real by Prizma I am from the struggles for civil rights. I come from the ones they call aliens, immigrants, and wetbacks. I am more than all stereotypes can claim. The judgements, racial comments, and inequality make me stronger as I grow. Tus palabras no me duelen. MÊxico vive en mi corazón como nunca te imaginaras. The color of my skin should not matter to you. Every color is beautiful. Every human is equal. Why is racism still alive? My family, my people, is what keeps us united. We, the people of color, unite and hold each other’s hands, to heal, to help, and to not stand alone. Our background makes us who we are and we are never going to stop being ourselves. But as we grow, we create a new world with the beauty within.
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Latino Justice by Keilah “As of today, an estimated 94 Latinos have been killed by police in 2016 alone, making up 16 percent of the 585 police involved in killings this year.” Wow. Just to hear this brings tears to my eyes. Imagine how each family feels. They did not get a chance to say goodbye. Anastasio Hernandez-Rojas, Manual Angel Diaz, Joel Acevedo, Anthony Nuñez, and Raul Saaveda-Vargas. This is not even close to being the full list. Wouldn’t it be sad if you could not give a loved one one last kiss? Wouldn’t you want to live life like a bliss? What would you do? What would you do if your kid is being brought down because his or her skin is brown? Wouldn’t you frown because you feel like you aren’t right, or because you are not white? Wouldn’t you want to fight for your rights? See now, this is why I write. I am not trying to take the light from Black Lives Matter RIP Treyvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Freddie Grey. I am just trying to make a statement.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Latinos’ justice just barely came out of your basement. I do not have patience, because I am not a doctor. I just want it to be known. Did you see Manuel Diaz’s face shown on TV? How do you think his family felt? Wouldn’t you just want to be living happily ever after, living a life full of laughter, living full as can be in the living room? His mom has to scan through memories of him watching Loony Toons, tearing up while thinking about him. He lost his life because our walk, slang, and skin scared the police. When will there be justice for Latinos?
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Feathers on a Dreamcatcher by Taylor I am a dream catcher. catching the bad dreams of my loved ones and turning them into a strong and content feeling. It is the sun to my roots. I am, Spaniard, Indian, Mexican, and American. I am also the feathers that lay on the most traditional aspect this is important to my culture. I know for a fact that people disrespect it or disown it. But to me, it is life. When I was a baby, my beloved grandma would place a dreamcatcher under my pillow or above my bed. I am a dreamcatcher my people decide to use to show our true meaning in life and what our culture is about.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Unknown by Kayla Imagine a world where all books were covered and all you could see was the outside. Imagine if you could not read any page without earning the book’s trust and open your mind to understand it. Would you even bother with trying to read it? Would you try to expose the pages before you try to understand it? But if you do that, you will not understand the book and read all it has to say. You will miss all the adventures it wants you to experience, all the life lessons that you could learn, all the shared memories you might end up having. In every book that I like, there is a beginning, a climax, and an end. It can have fun, adventure, action, and horror. It has a protagonist, supporting characters, an antagonist that tries to ruin all the fun. So if life were a book, who would you be in it? A supporting character? Or the ultimate protagonist? It would be up to you.
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The Beautiful City by Leiani-nalee I come from a place called the Mile High City, where children grow strong and tall like a tree, where my history is written on the mountains for generations and generations. For all thirteen years I have been here, I spread my branches and let them sway through the air, as my leaves fall on the green hills as colors change representing who I am inside. I provide a way for people to be safe and cared for as they drink from the clear blue water. Here, they can see a reflection of their ancestral self and future self. My roots are planted here, where my history is and where it will stay to watch the beautiful sunset. This is where I was born and this is where I will stay.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
A Reminder by Anjelina In my life, things are hard. Maybe I always seem happy, but once you mess with me, I get snappy. This is what I need to remind myself: Do not be mad when someone treats you a certain way. You do not know what that person is going through in this world. You are always worried about other people’s opinions and not focused on your own thoughts. Do not be mad because you do not get your way. Just take a walk and think about what you are going to be in your future. People go through many things, and you want to do better, because when you are older, you want to be in a better position.
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Success by Yarixa I come from a hardworking father, the one who broke his back to give his children a good education as well as a roof over our heads. He came to the United States looking for somewhere to call home, having nothing more than twenty dollars in his pocket. I am Jalisco, where my dad originated his roots. I feel warmth inside my heart when I recall the memories. I will always remember the smell every Christmas when my mother and aunts made tamales. The delicious smell rushes through my nose as I open the soft shell like a present. As I look at myself in the mirror, I Imagine my future success, walking down the stage with my certificate. My mom looks at me, saying, “You did it!� Tears rush down her cheeks. My background and skin color is who I am today. This is me.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Believe In Yourself by Sophi I am the rice, the milk, and the love within just imagining. I will never forget the beautiful smell of Mexico, the joy it brings into my life. It makes me warm inside, like arroz con leche. I love the smell that comes from my grandma’s kitchen. I come from a place, a place where there are no walls needed. I come from a place, where Donald Trump is wanted for racism. I come from a place that suffers. I also come from the God within. I am a girl that you see proud and brave, with no fear. We all love. I am the person who warms up your heart and lights up your whole day.
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Time by Luis Time, time, time. We live each second, each minute, each hour, each year thinking of our mother, father, brother, or sister. We do actions that affect near and far.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
My Pride by Joslyn Everywhere I go, I carry the memory of California, the one place that feels like home, with its sandy beaches and ocean waves. It is sunny all the time. It is home to me because most of my past and my future lives there along with my great grandmother’s recipes. She was so sweet like the sugar on top of her doughnuts, and so mysterious like all her special recipes that she kept from us. She took them to the tomb with her. I also look up to the person that looks like me. I imagine myself putting that cap and gown on and saying I made it, like my momma. I would be proud to say that I made my mom proud and accomplished more than her, and be as happy as my mother.
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The One Who Mix Inside of Me by Gabby I will never forget the ones inside of me like adding seasoning to the chili. My ancestors all mix in me: stuffing, meat, and melting cheese; green chili and monicoties. It is the new surprising mixture, spicy but yet with the sweet texture that got me. I cannot forget about the aroma of heat and love combining, setting me free. There is no confusion on what I am or what I want to be. I am open to dream, to create illusions of my ancestors which all mix in me. I come from a broken chain. I am the missing link and the powerful knowledge, my papa passed down to me. For that, I am grateful to carry my ancestors as they proudly mix in me.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
I Am Who I Am by Gabriel I am food for the resting people after a long work week. I come from the blood of soldiers who fought with Villa. It is only right how I display the Mexican flag: the red soup, white onion, and green oregano. I will never forget the after mass meal with the whole family. I am my daughter's shadow when she walks. I will always remember her first word. How can I forget the word, “A’pa”? Her smile can make my day, lifting my spirit from whichever ditch I lay in. The thought of being away from her kills me but motivates me. Her presence is the restriction to my weakness. I want to walk across that big stage to make my daughter, family, and myself happy. I want to shake hands with the principal, say our last good bye, and my first hello to my future.
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Play Through It by Prizma Play volleyball with life. Hit after hit, you get the hang of it. It does not matter if you are good or not. You will get judged. Hateful comments come rushing towards you. Put your arms out and hit them away. The pain is inevitable, but as time flies by, it becomes numb. Suddenly, you do not care what people think. You do what makes you happy. You give it your all to be your best out there. My teammates remind me to be there for one another, to call out for each other when we need help. Together, we win on the court, and in life.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Momma by Keilah My mother’s womb is blessed for many moons, to be true. She is scared of the fact that she may lose me again. Yes, she may be a dropout, but her brain is strong, healthy, and full of wisdom. When I hug her, I hear her heartbeat like a drum. She is always sad, constantly crying. She says “I am done.” Every time I hear this, I am unable to speak because I am the one who causes her to cry. Yes, I try to make her happy. But I do not know. She is just a weeping willow scrunched over, looking lonely but beautiful. J:Cole said, “I love you mama.” Our lives are full of drama, between both sides of the family but we just try to live freely. My mother and I are exactly identical, lovely as we can be.
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My grandmother never really cared for her, always beating on her, always full of jealousy. Momma had to teach herself to cook always cooking for her family, Although she is self-taught, she makes the best steak nachos in the city. Mother has always been a father figure. She has seen so many things, including eye-witnessing her brother pull the trigger, which is what sent him to jail. She always tells me not to follow her breadcrumb trail. She told me, I want you to succeed, to grow into the strong beautiful woman you are.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
The Sound of Music by Taylor The sound of music is the beat of my heart. The sound is the most beautiful thing I could hear. It is my blood. It is the veins in my arms. Music is the sound of the outdoors making life better. When the things I use for music die, I lose energy. It is time to recharge. As it does, I make my own music to reach my goals: be a cool DJ, and make cool remixes and beats to songs that are popular now. Music is my happiness. I get happier when I am listening to it. I get happier than my brother was when he met Gerado Ortiz. The sound of my little cousin’s laugh is like birds singing on early Sunday morning. I sing out loud. I sing to myself. My heartbeat is the sound of music.
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I Am from Patulal by Kayla I am from Patulul, a small beautiful town in Guatemala. Before you assume it is a part of Mexico, ask me where it is located. I will always remember the day I met my sisters. Although we might not look like the same, the blood that runs through our veins is enough to make our sisterly bond stronger. We were bounded by the love our grandpa gave to us. They were lucky enough to have grown up with him. For us who were not, we hold on to his memory and his infectious laugh He was so strong and funny, even when his body was giving up on him. If you would ask him to smile for a picture, you would be rewarded with a laugh. Every year back home in Colorado, my mom and aunts would make panes made of roasted seasoning and delicious sauce placed on chicken. It makes me feel joyful every Thanksgiving and Christmas eve ever since I was a child. I remember the house would smell so good and feel so warm, even in the coldest of days. Even when I could not go back home, I had my I-Pad case. It comes from the hands of the people
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
whose blood once ran through my family. It represents home, Guatemala. When you walk through the market, you see a culture that was once almost lost, trying to be seen again to show that it is still here and strong. There are only 7 Wonders of the World, From the Pyramids of Egypt to Machu Picchu in Peru. They only have 7, but to me, Patulul, Guatemala is one.
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A Blank Canvas by Leiani-nalee Plop: a blank canvas, a perfect place to paint your own story. Every color is a different lesson. Every paintbrush is something you receive in your life. Every error on the canvas is something you can learn from. You can wipe it away. In life, it may stick to you, but you can swat it away. The stains you have show how hard you worked. As you paint your story, you may learn that you have goals you have to accomplish. All you need is focus and determination in yourself. Remind yourself: every day is a blank page. Plop.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
My Best by Anjelina I come from Denver, a place to never forget. I have been here for 13 years with my mom. I come from a beautiful place with colorful sunsets behind mountains. You can never imagine what you will see when you enter this city. It will never leave your mind. I will always be blessed with a very inspiring mother. She has been there through thick and thin. She is so much fun, but only when she is in a good mood. I will never forget her warm legs, soft hugs, beautiful smile, and black girl hair. I am so thankful to have my mom by my side, no matter what we are going through. She is my best friend, teacher, and most importantly, she is my mom. I would not trade her for anything. She tells me right from wrong. She trusts me, and I help her with everything. She knows I have her to the fullest
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and she has me to the end. I am tacos that my mom makes for us to eat. I come from an intelligent and beautiful woman who makes food with love. I will always remember her knife as she cuts lettuce with her warm hands to add to her amazing food. When I eat tacos with the family, all I think of is love. I am a graduate. I will always put a smile on your face. I am smart even though I sometimes make stupid choices. I always have a smile on my face, even on my worst days. People always think I have the perfect life, but I do not. My life is hard. I have many problems, but I try my best. I am a person who will do what I need to do to succeed.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Flash by Yarixa I try to focus on the good and capture great memories. I try my best to delete blurry ones, editing details I do not like in my life and cropping out people in my life who bring negative vibes. Flash! Flash! Flashbacks come back to me about my past. I hope that one day in the future I have a picture to look at of my family and me, standing with a blue gown and a tassel dangling from the right to left for the graduating class of 2021.
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A 20 Year Old Future by Joslyn Dear 20 year old Joslyn Pliego, I hope that I accomplished a lot. I hope that you graduated from high school, and that I matured. Because without maturity, where would I be? If I did not, well, what are you doing? You better be in college or heading there. One thing for sure: I will see this mind being wiser.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Untitled by Luis I come from a people who were in Mexico, brought in by walking the hot desert or crossing the cold Rio Grande, finally accepted by the amnesty of Reagan. They came from Chihuahua ahi Chihuahua, el estado mas grande de Mexico, donde la Sierra Madre rises over the hot desert. Ahi es donde Pancho Villa respondio a Emiliano Zapata I am the spicy juicy smell tortillas de maiz that we combine with carne molida, papas, jalapenos, zanarorias, and salchicha. It reminds me of those cold nights in the desert and the hot days under the sun. I get taken back to when I was little, my uncle turning on el disco, as soon as I take a bite of the juicy taco right off el comal. I remember all the funny, joyful, and amazing times we had. You showed me to be loud leader and to be strong, like how my auntie taught my dad.
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A Bright Future by Sophi As you drive your car, you look in the rearview mirror and let that go, because that is the past. Focus on your future. As I make the path for you, then you look straight so you do not crash. Imagine the future you create. You make it possible.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Music by Prizma I sit in my room while listening to tunes. All those worries are suddenly gone. I keep replaying the song. Its words sing what I feel. It is the only thing that is real when I need time to lose my thoughts. When I enter the world of music, the sound, the lyrics, stick to my mind like glue. I feel a release of emotions rushing through my body. Music will always be there for me at my worst and at my best. That is why I carry it on my shoulders. At the times when I feel the world is gaining up on me, I have something to count on. The beautiful sound will soothe my ears ‘till I fall asleep, ‘till I feel like my old self again, feeling like there is not a single care in the world, feeling the sound consuming me and refreshing my body.
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No Shade, Just Tea by Keilah I am a native princess, a protector, a lover, a healer. We can all agree that the world is a big mess. We are forgetting about our heritage more and more. Who knows, maybe with the blink of an eye, it could be gone in an instant. I do not know why people do not honor it like I do. Without it, I would feel skinless. My land is innocent, stop harming it. Many white men are acting like hypocrites. Chill out. Lay down, and eat a banana split. You see how lit we can be? Live by the words of In Lach Ech: Tu eres mi otro yo. You are my other me. Looking all around, everyone just wants to be who they see. But, I am over here, no shade, just tea.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
The Man In My Dream by Taylor In my dreams, I see a man, a man who does nothing beside stare at a wall in a small room with a person he does not even know. I may not know my uncle, but he did not commit that crime. Well, that is what I thought anyway. People look at him as a killer or a monster, but I think of him as a good person. After he got locked up, he changed. I do not know if he is coming home. I thought he was getting out for my birthday, but he got rejected. I cried for him to come home. I hope I do not end up in a bad position like he did, because I would hurt my family. He was who I looked up to. I wonder if my brother and cousin look up to me. I should set a good example for those around me, including the man in my dreams.
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Perfect Place by Leiani-nalee On days when you cannot paint, remind yourself this: Why do you love to paint? When you paint, it makes you feel like you can do anything, like you can fly! How does painting remind you of how you feel? Remember that it makes you feel good, and confident. When you mess up, it is just a reminder to try harder. How does it make other people feel? Other people may think that is good or bad, but it is about what you think. The colors on the canvas are the colors coming from inside your soul.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class
Disney by Kayla “Just keep swimming, even when you are tired.” To inspire someone, you need to have been inspired yourself. Just listen. As little kids, we were taught by movies. “All it takes is faith, trust, and pixie dust,” said Peter to Wendy. Although we do not have pixie dust, we have hope. We can inspire today’s youth by trusting that they will do what is right. They can go places, and give hope to the hopeless. Today, we think that heroes have special powers, but to little kids, “a true hero is not measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart.” We can be as big as Zeus and need help. We can be as small as Lucky from Mulan and be the hero. It just depends on how you look at life.
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