Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3 Cafe Cultura Community Speaks Project #28 Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3 Copyright Š 2016 by Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment 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 students in our Poetry/Spoken Word enrichment. Continue seeing the power you have to be great and impact the world around you. #CafeCultura #XpressYourself #TellingOurStories
Acknowledgments Thank you to the staff at Grant Beacon Middle School for the opportunity to offer our enrichment as a space for creative expression. Special shout out to the amazing students in our class for pushing yourselves to become 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 an honor for Café Cultura to continue our partnership in teaching a Poetry/Spoken Word enrichment at Grant Beacon Middle School. We enjoyed learning about the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders while using our “Telling Our Stories” curriculum to hear what they had to say. They shared incredible insight and creativity as they analyzed and wrote spoken word poetry. This book gives you a sense of their thoughts and potential for the future. 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 opportu-nities 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.”
CafĂŠ 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 throughout 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 Who I Am by Ximena................................................................ 1 My Life, Mi Vida ......................................................................... 3 My Path by Edwin ...................................................................... 4 Life by Sierra................................................................................ 6 My Past and Future by Aisha .................................................... 7 Past to the Future by Eduardo ................................................. 8 People Can Judge by Joseph ..................................................... 9 Life by Adrian ........................................................................... 10 Here to Stay by Kevin .............................................................. 12 Waiting for the World by Edwin ............................................ 13 In My World by Ximena.......................................................... 14 Myself by Kevin ........................................................................ 15 My Roots by Joseph ................................................................. 16 Life, People, Judgements, and Me by Adrian ....................... 17 Soccer is Life by Kevin ............................................................ 18 What is Life? by Edwin ............................................................ 19 A Park Named Life by Ximena .............................................. 20 My Grandpa by Kevin ............................................................. 21 Dear My White Teddy Bear by Edwin .................................. 22 Mexico by Kevin ....................................................................... 23
Who I Am by Ximena I am kind and come from one beautiful life. I look in the mirror and see the other side of me. In my dreams, I imagine something I have never seen. I am kind. I cry when something bad happens. But my sister makes me laugh. My love for my sister feels like a sun coming out in a cloudy day. I am a tamale and come from meat and maza that gives me life. I will always remember the delicious tamales my grandma made for us to enjoy. I will never forget the happiness and power gave us on Christmas Eve. I come from a place I have never met, Chihuahua. I will always remember the stories my mom told me of her childhood there. I hope to visit someday. When I do, maybe I can bring some memories back here. Even though I am not from there, Chihuahua continues in my mom's family. I will always remember the funny stories she told me. I will never forget when she made me laugh. She always tells me to keep trying or she helps me in things I do not know. She makes me happy. Sometimes we have ups and downs,
2
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
but I will still love her. I will encourage her so she could do the same to my baby brother. I am smart. I will always remember when my mom told me to never quit school so I have an opportunity to have a good job. I will never forget what she told me.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
My Life, Mi Vida I come from Durango, Mexico where a lot of special things happen. Kids play soccer in the streets while others ride their horses. When I visit, I see beauty in my small town. The weather is good to grow frijoles and corn. My family is a big part of my life. Without them, I would not make it through my life. My mom’s food smells like love and strength, like my whole family My dad’s food smells like strength, especially the gorditas with frijoles, chile, arroz y mucho mas. Sin mis parents, I would not make it through my life. My grandpa was the best thing that has ever happened to me. When I looked at him, he made me laugh. He would take me where ever I told him. Even though he passed away, I see him in my dreams. He always told me that he will always be with me, even when he is gone.
3
4
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
My Path by Edwin I am Morelos, the place I was born, where my past was formed. My days there did not last, But I will always remember my beautiful past and the memories of my family together, for they never last forever. Morelos Although you might not spot the rich, you will see families, families together wanting peace and money to feed one another. Morelos, a place where families care for one another. I am made from corn, a recipe perfected years before I was born. It comes in every shape and form. I make the family come together and unite, giving them something to eat with delight. When I am at the table, there are no fights, so calm down and be polite. I am graduating on my path to success but still wondering what I will do next. Many still do not believe in me but I will still succeed and be something greater,
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
something better, and someone who will change lives. But first, I have to graduate and not be like them in the streets.
5
6
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
Life by Sierra I am powerful and I come from my loving family. I look in the mirror and see myself with creativity. In my dreams, I imagine something amazing. I am a leader. I cry when I lose a part of my family, but friends make me laugh. My love for others feels like home. Denver is home. I come from somewhere beautiful and warm, sometimes with cold snowy mountains, but still very bright. I will always remember that this will be home, forever. I come from the tasty and fulfilling burritos that makes me feel joy. I will always remember that they are big but sometimes small. My dad makes the bean and cheese to smell tasty. I know that it is made any time of the year and makes us strong when we are weak. Most of all, it makes me feel full.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
My Past and Future by Aisha I come from chamago, made with mangos, chile, limon, and my family’s love. When I sit with my friends, I feel that we are all family. I enjoy making Chamago for my family, friends, and teachers. The smell and taste reminds me to give chamago to the teacher. I come from Colorado. My brother, sister, and parents come from Mexico. I want to go to Mexico because I can eat the delicious chocolate. That flag of Colorado means so much to me and all my family, who want to stay here. I am a college graduate making a better life for my family. In my head, I hold a diploma and my future. I will always remember how my parents told me to never give up.
7
8
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
Past to the Future by Eduardo I come from tacos my dad makes for me. They smell like my house and love. I will always remember the spices that he bakes into the chicken. Nothing else will be as good as my dad’s tacos de pollo. I come from Denver, where all my family lives. I am able to visit my grandmother, even my cousin. It is snowy in the winter. The culture is very nice because we are calm and peaceful. I take my backpack wherever I go. It helps me carry my homework, supplies, and future. My older brother gave me it so I could graduate and make my family proud. I am determined to go to college and get my education. I see myself passing my driving test and getting a job. I hope to fixe cars or be the next president.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
People Can Judge by Joseph Sometimes you forget to walk and people will make fun of you. They think you don’t know how to walk like you are limping. The police think that you are doing something bad. Most people will judge how you walk. People will think you are a thug, People will think that you’re normal, People will think you’re weird. People will judge you for your walk. In life, we need to ignore those people who judge your walk. We must keep walking the way you are.
9
10
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
Life by Adrian How can we find life, peace? A life to live would be nice. If everyone has it, none of this destruction in this world would have happened. If we never had problems, and only, only, if we had life. Without life, everyone on this planet would be in a riot. If we do not have a life, then we do not have a good reason to live. I think that in order to find, have, or even need a life, we just need to be who we are, what we like to do, and what makes us US! Do not try to be someone else. or the other person who you want to be, other than you. But all of that is not worth it. Trust me, I have been through it.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
I have been changing my personality and my culture. Join me and I can try to make you have a LIFE.
11
12
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
Here to Stay by Kevin Donald trump is taking all we have, our family, our culture. He says Mexicans have to leave to Mexico. This is to Donald trump: we want to stay here in the U.S. for a better life and a better future for our families. I want to live here, so I am going to be president and I will destroy the border because it is a free country. I want to let other Mexicans live here so we could be with our family. We could use our family. We could use our voices to fight for people’s rights.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
Waiting for the World by Edwin Waiting for the world to change, doing nothing but sitting here waiting for a better day. Kids stay in fear, not wanting to see what is in the mirror. The other ones think this is a game, not caring about others, just about fame. The nerd’s soul fills with flames, pinching the popular kid. The classmates were like nah, he is the one to blame. But what they do not know is that the nerd has a hard life at home. His mom is in depression and his family is broke. They never taught him anything, only how to live without them.
13
14
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
In My World by Ximena I know that my world is good. In my world, I see no problems. In this world, there are no drugs and everyone is happy. In my dreams, there will not be any segregation. Everybody will be safe and nobody would be worried. My life would be the best. In my world, I will not have to worry or face any problems. The people in my world will be kind and show leadership. In my world, there would be enough food and money for everyone. There would also be happiness. Mexicans or other people can travel without problems. We all hold the power to create this world. Join me and let us make this world happen.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
Myself by Kevin I carry a solution everywhere I go and I also love the way I take care of my family, just like I take care of myself. I love my family. I will always be there when they need me. They will always be there whenever I will need them, if there is a problem.
15
16
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
My Roots by Joseph I am the menudo that brings my family together. When I smell and taste it, it smells like my home. It always makes me feel happy. If I add lots of stuff, it reminds me of when my grandma and grandpa made it. When I eat it, it makes me feel happy and good. I am Mexico, where my grandpa came from a different time long ago. I remember from the story he told me when I was a little kid. He would always play outside and run. These are the memories I remember. I come from my parents. I will always love them, just like I love my family. My aunt, would always make me laugh when I visited. And last, I will always have fun with friends and family.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
Life, People, Judgements, and Me by Adrian I am the good and warm tacos de pollo that my mom makes with tortillas de maiz, pollo, lettuce, and cheese. The smell reminds me of my family and the culture I come from. I come from a place that my dad only has memories from, Mexico. I will always remember when my dad talked to me about the disasters that have happened in the past. I will never forget that image of Mexico and the history that my dad shared with me. I come from its colors. Green, White, and Red represent my family and my culture including life and its history. I will always remember‌
17
18
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
Soccer is Life by Kevin I am running down the soccer field, planning to make excellent choices with every pass Through teamwork we are trying to score. People are trying to take the ball. With my education, each goal I make represents taking steps to get a job.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
What is Life? by Edwin What is life? Life is insane. Life on an earth that is covered in pain. In here, there is nothing to gain. We all need help but too busy chasing fame. The boy in the park, he is all alone. He has no friends and his face is long. The boy asked, What am I doing so wrong? But this boy stood, so lonely, thinking of what he had done bad. But he wants to thank everything that has happened to him and everything he tried. First and foremost, his beautiful life. He has lost everything, but not once did he cry. This boy walks around with ripped shoes and ripped socks. But keep your head up boy, we all learn from loss. Though he was hurt and his heart was tossed, He will never give up and soon be the big boss.
19
20
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
A Park Named Life by Ximena I am walking through this park called life. As I walk, I see geese trying to distract me along my way, but I go around them. When pass through the playground, I see a little girl trying to get into something big but she is too short to reach. Kids laugh. But that is not going to be me. Even if I am short, I will not let my size bother me. I will keep walking and finish this life without anything getting in my way.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
My Grandpa by Kevin My family gave me life to live. When my parents die, I will bury them next to my grandfather. After that, I am going to enjoy the rest of my life that I have. When I fall asleep, I dream that my family comes to support me at one of my soccer games. They pass the ball to me. I look, then pass it all the way to him. Then he passes the ball back. I go for a header and score, making the winning goal. I win. They give me a hug for winning the game and for giving them the best life they ever had.
21
22
Grant Beacon Middle School Speaks! Vol. 3
Dear My White Teddy Bear by Edwin Thank You for everything when I had fear, Thank you for letting me hug you when I was sobbing tears. Thank you for being here when no one was there. You protected me from the boogy man because I was really scared. I have grown up, now seeing reality, you turned into dust. But I am really thankful for all the above.
Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Enrichment
Mexico by Kevin I come from Mexico. My mom tells me that in Mexico, it is hard. You have to say that two tacos are good because there is not enough food or money. I come from la biria. It smells like my home when I come from school. I could taste the flavor. When I see it, it makes me happy. I come from La Virgen Morena, She and God made me. I always read the bible. My parents are from Mexico, it looks very different.
23