WBLit Mag Issue 004

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GLOSSARY 1. A. Za’Niah

17. H. Jasmin

2. A. Bryasia

18. K. Hugo

3. A. Dillion

19. L. Iker

4. B. Angel

20. L. Jamal

5. B. Brandon

21. M. Cecelia

6. B. Brooklyne

22. M. Miley

7. B. Kamil

23. N. Abigail

8. B. Naomi

24. N. Kandice

9. B. Zaria

25. N. Nathan

10. C. Dylan

26. O. Beltran

11. C. Da‘Rius

27. O. Trenita

12. D. Johanna

28. P. Camya

13. D. Nathan

29. P. Christian

14. E. Samuel

30. P. Gary

15. F. Lukas

31. P. Marshe

16. G. Jostin

32. P. Naomi

33. R. Freida 34. R. Kyla 35. R. Mecca 36. R. Tafyah 37. S. Addisen 38. S. Demetrius 39. S. Savannah 40. T. Ciera 41. T. Klayah 42. T. Kenneth 43. V. Sebastian 44. W. ChaMel 45. W. Jacayla 46. W. Jewhel 47. W. Reine 48. W. Sincere

Peace WBL Family, This 4th edition of the Words Beats & Life Academy Lit Magazine is special for one simple reason — it offers a glimpse into the critical thinking process of our students in the form of their responses to poems, short essays, and their perspective on WBL as an organization. We started off an amazing Summer 2024 session by requesting that our middle school, high school, and young adult students flex their writing muscles to respond to a variety of prompts. And, they absolutely delivered.

In these pages, you will find eloquent analyses, honest commentary, and brilliant insight from youth of various ages. Before they attended this summer’s session in-person, they gave us a preview of their genius through this literary offering.

I encourage you to read each response written to the diverse array of prompts provided (see list of prompts just before the responses). In their articulation of the world around them, these young people let us in on the ideals they hold true and the ideologies that inform their artistry.

We hope you enjoy!

Donney Rose Academy Director Words Beats & Life Inc.

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A. Za’Niah Locate yourself in a place and a space in time.

Being in nature can be peaceful. Picture yourself on the grass reading your book, having grapes or any kind of fruit, just laying there with a friend or just by yourself.

I think being alone is always a good thing. It gives you an opportunity to do all the things you need to do. And just to have some time to yourself. At this time, life feels like you could do whatever you want.

A. Bryasia My favorite line in the poem is “when the thought of your freedom destroyed their economy into waste.” I personally love this line because it highlights the influence of individual actions on bigger systems. It emphasizes the importance of defending what is right and advocating for your rights, even if it challenges the current situation, can result in beneficial outcomes. It highlights the strength and perspective of people who are ready to confront oppressive systems for the benefit of society. I connect with this statement because it captures the core of activism and the possibility of bringing about significant change with bravery and determination.

A. Dillon “The moment an occupation starts to outweigh my boundaries, I run”. Those words spoke out to me‌— those words were as deep as the ocean. To me, those words meant “When my job starts to make me feel like a slave, I’m leaving”. No job will take away my freedom. No job will make me feel like a slave working in the cotton fields in 90-degree weather, being wiped if I didn’t work fast enough or if I didn’t pick as much cotton as they wanted me to. If a job starts making me feel dehumanized or makes me feel like I’m nothing but a replaceable robot, I’m leaving. When a job starts to make me feel like I’m not a human, I’m leaving.

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B. Angel My favorite line from the poem “Someone’s Expense” is when she says “the thought of your freedom destroyed their economy into waste”.This is my favorite line because the idea of losing a certain group of people is enough to disrupt the economic structure‌— this line is based off of slavery. For example, Joseph R. Anderson, a civil engineer who enslaved hundreds to operate his Tredegar Iron Works, if he lost all of his slaves, who was going to operate his project now. This line also makes me think about freedom and why did my ancestors have to go through slavery, racism, segregation and much more that shouldn’t be a thing at all. This is something I feel like we should talk about more.

B. Brandon My favorite line in this poem is “the love of all money is the root of all evil” the reason that this line caught my attention enough for me to say it’s my favorite is because of the fact that i’ve seen money change a lot of people and you can also see it in the world people change so much for the bad after coming into some money.

B. Brooklyne The kind of resources I believe exist in my community are shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Programs for people who are trying to get their lives together; people who have disabilities or are less fortunate than others that need a little more support. Organizations that give out food to people who need it, like Martha’s Table, etc.

Stories can impact one’s imagination in multiple ways, either positive or unfortunately negative. When people hear stories, they most of the time picture an image in their minds, or another way the story could have gone if something had happened or didn’t happen.

Arts can help build communities by reuniting people, especially black people to take their minds off the negative. Helping people do something fundamental can also add to one’s personality in a positive way.

Changing your perspective usually requires “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes”. Which means to think about how someone feels. Think about how their situation would impact you if the roles were reversed. And sometimes think about how you could maybe help or support them.

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B. Kamil My favorite part of the poem “Alive” by Chimwekele Okoro was when he said, “they argue but they do not look like me, speak like me, but look at me.” I choose this as my favorite because people think they can change their appearance and try to be someone else they’re not meant to be.

B. Naomi The old oak tree at the corner of Maple and Main has seen generations come and go in our small town. If it could speak of my childhood, it would tell a tale of both consistency and change, of innocence slowly giving way to maturity.

In my earliest years, the tree would recount how I toddled past on my mother’s hip, pointing excitedly at squirrels scampering along its gnarled branches. As I grew steadier on my feet, it watched me skip to preschool, my backpack almost as big as I was, full of crayons and hope.

The oak would speak of lazy summer afternoons when neighborhood kids gathered in its shade, trading baseball cards and sipping lemonade. It would remember the scrape of my knees as I learned to ride a bike, my father’s steadying hand letting go as I wobbled down the sidewalk beneath its leafy canopy.

As elementary school arrived, the tree bore witness to my changing interests. Gone were the days of make-believe games beneath its boughs. Instead, it saw me trudge past with an armload of books, my head full of multiplication tables and spelling words. The oak might note how I began to notice the changing of its leaves each fall, asking my parents endless questions about why trees shed their foliage.

In middle school years, the tree would observe a more solitary figure. I’d often sit alone on the bench beneath it, scribbling furiously in a journal or losing myself in the pages of a novel. It would note my growth spurts, how quickly my pant legs seemed to creep above my ankles‌and the first awkward signs of adolescence taking hold.

High school brought new rhythms. The oak would tell of early morning jogs as I trained for the cross-country team, my breath forming clouds in the crisp autumn air. It would recount hushed conversations with friends about crushes and college applications, the weight of the future pressing down on young shoulders.

But the tree would also speak of constancy amidst the change. It would tell of how, no matter my age, I always paused to admire its first buds in spring and its fiery colors in fall. It would remember the family photos taken beneath its branches year after year, marking the passage of time in smiles and inches gained.

Perhaps most poignantly, the oak would recall q ‌ uiet moments‌— ‌times when I sought solace in its steadfast presence. It stood silent witness to tears shed over a first heartbreak, to the fierce joy of college acceptance letters‌ and to pensive reflections on the cusp of adulthood.

As I prepared to leave for college, the tree would note how I lingered beneath its branches, breathing in the familiar scent of home. It would speak of the bittersweet moment when I touched its rough bark one last time 3

before driving away, carrying with me the roots it had helped nurture all those years.

In the end, if that old oak could speak, it would tell a story not just of my growing up, but of a community that raised a child. It would remind us that while people may come and go, some things remain‌— ‌steadfast, strong‌ and ever-growing, much like the tree itself.

B. Zaria What do you think is special about Washington, DC? What I think is special about Washington, DC is that it is the Capital city of the United States of America and it’s the political headquarters for the country. The political power reaches all over the world. Also, Washington, DC has the most outstanding museums and monuments. Most importantly to me, DC has its own musical culture — gogo. It’s a rich live music with instruments, musicians and singers. Gogo is a music of celebration and participation and thrives when a crowd is dancing and responding to the singer.

C. Dylan What stigma is associated with mental health? Are young people more open to the idea of accessing mental health services than their parents? If you could help friends battling anxiety or depression, how would you help adults make access to mental health care easier for youth?

Mental health stigma is a big problem that affects how people think about and treat mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Stigma means having negative ideas about someone because of a characteristic, in this case, a mental health condition. Many people still believe that having a mental health problem means a person is weak or different. This can make it hard for people to talk about their feelings or seek help. For example, someone might be afraid of being judged or not taken seriously if they admit they are struggling. This fear can stop them from getting the support they need.

Young people today are generally more open to talking about mental health and accessing services than their parents. This openness is partly because mental health is discussed more often in schools, on social media and in popular culture. Young people are also more likely to understand that mental health is as important as physical health. They might use apps, online therapy, or talk to school counselors more easily than their parents would have.

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C. Da’Rius My favorite line in this poem is “the greatest weapon is separation.” This is my favorite line because as someone who likes to separate himself from large groups of people and prefers to be himself as an individual, I can relate. I think the line is referring to this idea that isolating people or groups diminishes their power. Someone who is strong usually divides people to maintain control, usually by creating conflict. Separation can weaken individuals emotionally, socially‌or politically, making them easier to control or manipulate. Creating separations among people can be a potent strategy for maintaining power, control‌or advantage.

What does freedom mean to me? Well, I believe freedom means that I have a choice. I have the ability to make choices and decisions without the influence or coercion of others. It means that I have the right to determine my own path and make choices that align with my personal values and aspirations. Freedom also means that I have fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed by laws and societal norms, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of movement‌and so forth. I also believe that freedom allows me to pursue personal fulfillment and happiness, whether through creative expression, education, career choices‌or relationships. Am I free? Well, I am free of my own personal choices that fulfill me and bring me happiness. I have economic freedom with my money, and I feel accepted and respected within my community and society. Those who are not free are people who live under oppressive governments that restrict freedoms; those who face discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation‌— those who are living in poverty or economic hardship, experiencing physical or emotional abuse‌ and facing social stigmas based on cultural or religious norms.

D. Johanna What stigma is associated with mental health?

Some self-inflicted issues and thoughts that give you a bad mindset and that affects a person mentally, obviously. It deals with negative things that affect people in their mental health.

Are young people more open to the idea of accessing mental health services than their parents?

Young people are more open to the idea of accessing mental health services than their parents because they know that what they are feeling isn’t normal but don’t know how to make it known and would want to understand why they feel that way.

Young people want to understand things that are happening to them.

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If you could help friends battling anxiety or depression, how would you help adults make access to mental health care easier for youth?

If I could help friends battling anxiety or depression, I would make sure that adults are aware that youth at any age feel depressed or anxious. Obviously not name-dropping but keep them anonymous and have signatures to help adults know that other people and youth support it. And start to make some type of awareness for those in other places, and that would make people know that they don’t have to be alone when experiencing those emotions.

D. Nathan Blood-related families and our ancestors can have an impact on what we create in life because we all stem from one another, so we all have some similarities that have been passed down from generation to generation. Especially since we get everything from each other, like genetics, traditions‌and other things we may do similarly from our ancestors in our past life. One thing about the past is that we have a lot of missing information due to many stories going untold, and due to this we lose a lot of leverage on what we can use to grow. Stories can be used as technology because they tell a story that can be used for generations to come. This is because it gives the future generation something to look back on and see what things need to be improved and what things need to stay the same. The power of organizing is important because it can be used to access things at a better and quicker rate since you know where to look already beforehand. This can be used to complete assignments faster or to reach things faster.

E. Samuel My favorite line from the poem was when she said, “we are expensive.” This is my favorite line because it‌sums up the whole poem. People are too important and human to be sold as just an expense. The value of a person goes beyond just monetary‌value. Also, the over 10 thousand-dollar price is expensive now and back then.

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F. Lukas What does freedom mean to you? Are you free? Who is not free?

Freedom, for a 17-year-old Black man like me, feels more like a dream some folks get to live and others just watch on TV. It’s the ability to walk down the street with my music-blasting, head held high, without a twinge of worry that some cop might see a threat instead of a teenager. It’s about having choices that go beyond the ones life throws at you — like choosing a college instead of just hoping I make it out of the neighborhood.

But that freedom feels distant. Every time the news shows another Black man on the ground, hands cuffed behind his back, a piece of that dream crumbles. It’s a constant reminder that freedom here comes with an asterisk, especially for those who look like me. We gotta be careful how we dress, how we talk‌and even how we breathe sometimes, all to avoid the suspicion that clings to us like sweat on a hot summer day.

Being free ain’t just about the physical stuff, though. It’s about the freedom to dream past the stereotypes. It’s the freedom to imagine myself as a lawyer, a doctor, even the president, without someone snickering and saying, “Yeah, right.” It’s about not having history be the only thing defining my future.

Who ain’t free? My brothers on the corners were stuck dealing with the short end of the stick. They ain’t free ‘cause the system pushes them towards a dead end, leaving them with choices between hustling or getting locked up. They ain’t free because fear and desperation become their everyday companions.

My momma ain’t free either. She works two jobs, barely keeping a roof over our heads, but the worry lines on her face tell a different story. She isn’t free because the weight of this whole world seems to rest on her tired shoulders.

But even with all this, there’s a different kind of freedom too. It’s the freedom to laugh with my friends until our bellies hurt, the freedom to find beauty in a cracked sidewalk sunrise, and the freedom to write my own story even if the pages are a little crumpled. It’s the freedom to fight for that bigger dream, the one where all of us, Black men and women, can walk this earth with our heads held high and our fists full of possibility. That’s the kind of freedom I hold onto, the one that keeps me pushing forward, one step at a time.

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G. Jostin What does freedom mean to you? Are you free? Who is not free?

Freedom is the ability to be able to live freely in a world where you don’t feel oppressed and you have a sense of community. That’s what freedom means to me, not just being able to do what you want, but being able to have the fulfillment of life and be satisfied with what you have around you. Therefore, in my meaning of freedom I am free, and even though there are certain aspects which may determine my freedom in my perspective, I am free. Moreover, being able to enjoy life is really important to being free, so those who aren’t free are those who are not enjoying life.

However there are expectations for example, people who suffer on a daily basis or people who lost a loved one; it’s acceptable for them to have a pessimistic outlook on life; also those who are depressed. Therefore, those who are not free are those who have things to be grateful for but still live a pessimistic life, and what makes these people truly not free is them taking it out on others, making others’ lives miserable. Additionally, this creates a cycle of hate, which leads people to not be free.

On the other hand, there’s social constructs which take other people’s freedom. For example, racism towards minorities where we are constantly oppressed with new laws etc. In my experience as an immigrant child, I’ve had to see my parents go through so much.

To be the equivalent standard of being free in America, the land of the free. Hearing my parents story about just being a citizen in this country and working so hard for them to not even consider themselves as people is that aspect of oppressed freedom. In conclusion, my version of freedom is very different, but I also understand that there are different forms of freedom that we see in our daily lives.

H. Jasmin My favorite line from the poem is, “my land got put on the auction block, by somebody with cotton in the wrong pocket.” I like how cotton symbolizes the unnoticed effort of those who were forced into labor. The pocket detail also shows who’s getting credit for that effort today. Overall, I really like the impact this line can have if you’re reading with prior knowledge.

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K. Hugo What are the four most interesting things we did in 2023 that you want to learn more about? And why are they interesting to you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFjMhUgVrBI

1. Traveling around the world. I found it super interesting how program members were being sent to different countries all around the world, like the Congo, Uganda‌and Brazil. I think it is really important for artists to learn about how other cultures do art. It can give an artist a better understanding of what they are trying to work with and could give them inspiration. Every country has its own type of music, and being able to learn those types of music and blend them in is something that I really appreciate about hip-hop. You can sample anything and rap over anything and it will sound good if it is done right. I am interested in how‌countries get chosen and how they decide which people go to which countries.

2. The cotton residency programs seemed interesting. Visiting plantations and learning about the history of slavery is a cool way to get people to write songs about what was happening back then and could even be a way to tie it into what is happening right now. I think it is good that we are learning about slavery because hip-hop comes from African Americans, and Black people should know the history of their people in America. I also want to know how slavery ties into black music and hip-hop.

3. I think it is cool that anyone in the program got a chance to rap on a stage at the Lincoln Park theater. The combine show seemed like a great way for young people to share their talents and beliefs.

4. I think it is really cool that people in the program got to travel to San Francisco at Brave New Voices to compete. Competition is always fun and healthy, in my opinion so long as it is fair.

L. Iker What is the difference between good debt and bad debt? How do scholarships impact financial aid?

Do you have a budget for your finances? Do you use any budgeting tools? What is the value of having a bank account? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iigNkvbQDTY&list=PL6kvtNK--r8muNt_nNAfWAcIZ6fy-advZ&index=5

The difference between good debt and bad debt is that good debt is that it will help increase your net worth or your value and wealth. Bad debt is for depreciating assets like consuming clothes and more. Scholarships impact financial aid because if you have a lot of scholarships, it will benefit you because it will remove all your student loans, and this can be something very useful when it comes to school. I would say I have a budget for finances because every time I go shopping, I tell myself not to spend a specific amount of money so I am able to save some money for other things that might come to use. Personally, I don’t use budgeting tools because I am able to tell myself not to spend money and also to save money so that’s why I don’t use a budgeting tool. The value of having a bank account is that we are able to check how much money we have and we can deposit money so we can save some money and save it for later and then we can go back to the bank and get some money so we don’t waste it all in one day. These are some values of having a bank account.

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L. Jamal My family’s dreams for me are like seeds planted in the fertile soil of your life. They envision a future where I flourish, achieve your goals‌and find fulfillment.

These dreams may include educational achievements, career success‌and personal happiness. My family wants me to follow my passions and make choices that align with my inner compass.

Their encouragement reflects their love and belief in my potential. They hope I’ll surpass their achievements and create a legacy that inspires generations to come.

Imagine the dreams of my ancestors‌— t‌ heir hopes, struggles‌and aspirations.

Their dreams could be as simple as providing stability for their families or as grand as envisioning societal change. They worked hard, often sacrificing their own desires for the sake of future generations. By acknowledging their dreams, I will honor their legacy. I will stand on their shoulders, benefiting from their resilience and determination. Keeping my mind and options open is like having a compass that points in all directions. It allows me to explore diverse paths, learn from unexpected experiences‌and adapt to changing circumstances. Sometimes, the road less-travelled leads to remarkable destinations. Embrace curiosity, take risks‌and remain receptive to new opportunities.

M. Cecelia “If we do not open our eyes to this disguise this veil cannot be lifted. We must realize we are one. We are either together or separated. We are either free or confined. We are either alive or dead.”

This is a very eye-opening few verses of the poem. They exemplify the usage of anaphora: the repetition of words at the beginning of a given statement. In this case, “we are” adds emotion to not only the message as a whole but also an emphasis on each individual word. I specifically like the last three verses because they offer us a choice, but no matter which one we choose, we are one.

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M. Miley When I look at my own life, I expect to be successful, kind‌and worthy and to not care what anybody thinks and to love myself and not take anything for granted and to work on my mistakes. The life that my family wants me to have is to also be a successful, smart and to not waste my life. My family dreams for me are to become whatever I want to become, and to also be successful and to also make good decisions, money wise and life wise. My ancestors would be proud of me for being a leader and not a follower because I take the time to focus on my studies and to try my best in life. My ancestors also wanted me to live in a healthy world and for me to express my feelings and express my needs and wants to grow up in America because they didn’t have much where they were from and what do I dream for those who will come after me? I would want them to also be successful and to not care about what people think to love them and not to worry too much about pleasing people and always follow your gut. And to fine people who bring you up and who will support you and who will have your back no matter what, and to know that they belong in this world and to never stop trying and to know that they’re blessed to use the blessing wisely.

N. Abigail The part of the poem that mostly spoke to me was‌the first line that says, “some think themselves to be free yet find the semblance of comfort in the captivity of others.” This line spoke to me because I thought it was really deep. It shows the problem of people claiming that they are free but they aren’t truly‌free. This connects to our everyday lives as well. I took this quote as not being free when it comes to probably how we will work for the rest of our lives in order to make money and have to retire at an old age. This kind of does not feel like freedom, because we have to make money and have a job to achieve what we want in this world, and most of the time it is the same goal. People want to be able to afford a house, a car‌ and access to food; that is what most of society wants. Sometimes people go to college to get jobs that they actually don’t truly like to do, but they are making money.

We are ruled by the higher-ups, and many all have the same goals; it doesn’t seem as free.

N. Kandice My favorite line from the poem has to be “each different person and place is like going to different classes”. That’s my favorite because it’s true, everywhere I go i learn new things and everyone I speak to teaches me new things. Living in DC isn’t the easiest, but when you are able to go places and meet new people just to learn new things, it’s worth the while. Like stated in the video, I don’t think you can get that experience anywhere but in DC.

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N. Nathan Tell us why you think this video is called “Happy Grumpy.”

I think the video is called “Happy Grumpy” because of how aggressively they are dancing. The definition of happy means to show or feel pleasure in what you are doing or in an event that has happened. The definition of grumpy means bad-tempered and irritable. Both of the words happy and grumpy are great ways to describe how the dance feels and how it looks. When I watched the group of dancers dance, they looked like they were happy and they were also having a lot of fun because of their smiles. Even though they were smiling and having fun, there were also a lot of moments where the dancers looked very serious and had these mean faces on when doing very aggressive dance moves. When I saw them spinning their heads, I felt like there were a lot of grumpy emotions and felt anger on their faces in the dance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VHGD7r6F80&list=PL6kvtNK--r8krpmVwLqBGJWQaSfChlETP&index=3

O. Beltran My favorite line in the poem was, ”comes like love of anime, you know, love of people.” I like this line because I am a big anime fan. I’ve been watching anime since 6th grade and enjoy it a lot. I felt the connection when he had mentioned anime.

O. Trenita My favorite line in the poem is “this is not an act of violence,” because to me it means protecting your people is not violence. Speaking up for your people is not violent. Coming together as one and having each other’s backs is not violence. Defending yourself is not violent.

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P. Camya If there was a tree in your community that watched you as you grew up, what would it tell us about you growing up?

As a Jamaican American in the DMV area, this tree would tell a tale of cultural pride, resilience‌and adaptability. It would remember the joyous moments of traditional Jamaican celebrations, the sound of the local patois‌and the vibrant energy of the community.

However, it would also recall the challenges faced by Jamaican Americans in the DMV area, such as discrimination, poverty‌and socio-economic inequalities. It would tell the story of perseverance and determination, how the community has come together to overcome obstacles and find success.

P. Cristian From the video on Kenneth Carroll III, my favorite line is, “I don’t wanna just sit and do poetry, I wanna get out and get around.” If there is a feeling that all artists relate to, it’s to get out and see the world and get inspired,‌but this also means that they just want a break. I have been studying this book called “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser‌— my 10th grade English teacher gave it to me and in the book Zinsser writes, from what I can remember, all writers are allergic to work — that’s why they chose to write. And he demonstrates that feeling by admitting to having too many water fountain breaks by the day as his job as a writer for the newspaper.

I’m guilty of this too, going on water fountain breaks as well, but at the end of the day I sit down in my chair, hunched over, and I type until I’m done.

P. Gary The interesting moments that WBL has done in 2023 is they did a performance at the Lincoln Theater to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The second interesting moment in the video is they performed at the Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) to give charity to sick kids in need from the DMV to support young children. The third thing in the video is the fascinating flyer that the open mic for youth is going on at Busboys and Poets. A fourth thing is the Literacy Magazine put together by the youth.

I like hip-hop music, so it is good to see WBL celebrate the 50 years of hip-hop. I have been to the Children’s Hospital many times and so it is good to see WBL give to support charity. I eat at Busboys and Poets, but I have never seen a performance there, so I would like to do that maybe this summer. It is great that the youth of WBL created a magazine. I like this because when I was in high school, my academy was Mass Media, so I would be interested in learning more about publishing and creating a magazine.

It is great that WBL is doing many great things.

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P. Marshe Favorite line: “If we cannot lay down arms and open our arms to one another there is no possibility for unity.”

This line resonates deeply because it encapsulates the essential need for peace and unity in humanity. The metaphor of laying down arms‌— both literal and figurative — highlights the necessity of disarmament and openness to foster genuine connections. It speaks to the universal truth that only through mutual understanding and acceptance can society hope to achieve harmony. The contrast between conflict and embrace underlines the transformative power of empathy and compassion, urging individuals to prioritize collective well-being over divisive actions.

P. Naomi My favorite line is that “the earth grows from all the blood from its core.” This is my favorite because to me it explains how the earth is bleeding in order to grow. It symbolizes how violence can be necessary for growth. It also shows that violence is a part of nature.

R. Freida The line “I eat what they tell me to think” hits the hardest for me in this poem because it really captures the nature of propaganda, which the poem talks a lot about. What we the people consume is moderated and filtered so they can better control us, control our thoughts. These systems shackle our minds with propaganda because they know that they can never truly control our thoughts, so they control what we have available to think about. Education brings revolution so they keep the literacy rate among the most oppressed groups low, because if everyone really knew, if everyone really got to know all of these hidden truths, then revolution would be on everyone’s lips and the people could win. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C67cY1RdeAo&list=PL6kvtNK--r8nqRXIhgz8slcYhfsVFOLJ-&index=3

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R. Kyla Visionary wants to leave her in a way that people see. She’s speaking on ‌behalf of people who were scared to rise up and speak out against certain things, so she leaves us with the way of showing it. So we, as a community, don’t have to be afraid to speak up and let our voices be heard.

Presenting a case to people is a way of performing. Having all your evidence set.

It’s almost as if you are practicing. Making sure that everything is set, the evidence, claims and reasoning. It’s how you present it to everyone, not because you have the best case. It is based on the most convincing, to show that you’re worth it, and that what you’re saying leaves the people within the court to believe you. Your performance is what makes people believe you‌— no one would‌— if you’re screaming, you have to show people that it’s true. Remain calm and never lose that.

Only we know if it’s good, based off our progress and how we take in our own work. When you do your type of work, it’s based off you. You focused hard enough to know it’s good when you pull in the right audience. To people who genuinely like your art, poetry etc.

Having more people see your work. It makes people think, bringing out a different side to people. As the visionary said, it gets people to think better, to feel themselves more and to believe they aren’t alone in this world. With these issues that weigh them down. More people who acknowledge a certain person for their work, whether it’s art, poetry or protests they have done. It could always spark hope in others to join in and make a difference alongside them.

R. Mecca What are the four most interesting things we did in 2023 that you want to learn more about? And why are they interesting to you?

One thing about what Words Beats & Life (WBL) did in 2023 is that I am very interested in their involvement with youth at Busboys and Poets. Busboys and Poets is a restaurant I frequent with my family, and I have always felt inspired by the sheer amount of poetry and knowledge that is offered there. WBL’s monthly youth series provides possibilities for more beautiful works to be made and meaningful experiences for youth wanting to enter the arts industry. I am also very intrigued

by WBL’s mission of spreading their arts to other countries and areas. I think art is

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best enjoyed worldwide, and there are so many cultural gateways that sharing art can open up. There is so much that one can learn from the world, and I too would like to travel and research art in different countries and areas one day. It is inspiring to see Words Beats & Life engaging in this way.

I find WBL’s hip-hop dancing category to be very interesting. I myself am not a dancer, but I have always admired the breakdancing style of dance. To hear that Words Beats & Life hosted a breakdancing battle is very inspiring to me because I see future events like these as opportunities to learn more about dance and converse with these dancers about their art form. I really value discussions about community-related issues, so I find Words Beats & Life’s radio show “Something to Say” to be a very engaging creation. I know that many of my peers currently have thoughts to speak on about issues in the community, and I believe a platform like “Something to Say” would make them feel both seen and heard when expressing their concerns. I also think that it provides youth listeners with a deepened cultural awareness no matter what kind of community they live in.

R. Tafya What makes you as a person valuable? If you needed to give your time and skills a dollar amount of value, how would you decide it? What do you plan to do to increase your value as a worker?

What makes me as a person valuable is working hard and being able to acquire skills to the best of my knowledge in specific areas of life, as well as having experience and character, personal traits like integrity, empathy‌and wisdom from trying to understand life lessons, as well as learning. Also having the ability to problem-solve and critically think. If I needed to give my time and skills to a dollar amount of value, I’d decide to value the time to a complex focus and personal goals I’d come up with to save the dollar amount of value, and learn how to use it wisely and thoroughly, as well as being considerate of it and investing in this value.

As a worker, to increase my value, I stay focused and continue to learn and grow with it, staying updated with new and necessary skills to the best of my knowledge, network with meaningful connections and understanding of this type of importance of investment. Learning that value is a subjective importance, and focusing on providing value for not just myself but also for others. Over time I may learn to focus on growth and self-improvement as my worth will increase as I set my clear goals for the future in a strategic way. As I work towards specific objectives, ensuring alignment with my values and aspirations of life. Working and taking on challenges through values may not come easy, but learning to handle and take responsibility for those values will keep me continuous and motivated through different values.

Values serve as a (metaphorical) compass to a person’s life, as it guides our decisions, our behavior‌and our actions in what we do in our everyday lives. They help form and shape a sense of stability and purpose that influences our choices.

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S. Addisen “Ain’t I just reflected energy.” This is my favorite line out of the whole poem because of the message it has. When you live in a world where all that people do is throw hate at you, you become your surroundings. You become a negative person because you are surrounded by negative people. When you are surrounded by positive people and love, then you become a loving person.

S. Demetrius My favorite line is “who truly is free.” I like this line because it makes me think about freedom. Freedom is an important aspect of life. What is the true meaning of freedom? Freedom must come as one. Freedom means to be liberated in mind and body. To be able to perform legally within the guidelines of the law, I am free because I can perform to the best of my ability without hesitation. I am free to walk, talk, move and e‌ xpress myself when I want. Some people are free physically but are not free mentally because of the way they think. In my mind, if you are not free, you are a slave to a particular situation.

Going on freedom is an adjective which means the power to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is without hesitation second thinking of any movement, thought or word as I think of people not being free. I think of those in bondage by someone, something or a particular citation to conclude freedom is a behavior that is eligible to all individuals. Freedom is not crossing the line to hurt yourself or nobody. From dcv performing freely freedom is not expressing yourself to hurt someone or a particular situation. I think that freedom is truly an amazing thing that should be for everyone and my people had to fight for their freedom and it gave way to my freedom today. 100’s of years ago, freedom was something you were born with or you had to pay for it. Not everybody had freedom— it was rare, there were places where people were not allowed to go because of what they looked liked. At one time, people could own other people to the point where they could tell them how to live and what they were and are not able to do at any given time. Can you only imagine living your day-to-day life like that?

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S. Savannah What impact can blood-related families and people from history who were adopted families have on what we might create? How can a story be a technology? What is the power of organizing?

All things considered, blood-related families, those who were a part of adopted ones‌and famous historical figures all greatly influence individual viewpoints, which in turn affects the creation of art forms, scientific breakthroughs‌and other things.

Communication is a basic component of technology, and stories are a way to communicate. Stories are ways for people to share ideas, feelings, experiences‌and knowledge with each other, just like any other tool or media. By passing down ideas, beliefs, customs‌and collective wisdom over generations, stories play a crucial role in forming culture and society. In addition to helping to maintain legacy, they serve as cultural technologies that change with time. Lastly, let’s sum up by saying that cooperation, unity‌and concerted effort are the foundation of organizing power. It helps groups of people w ‌ ork together toward shared objectives, promote constructive change‌and leave a lasting impression on society as a whole.

T. Ciera My favorite line in the poem is, “Ain’t I just reflected energy, acting out who I was born to be?” Our community and surroundings have so much impact on who we are when we get older. Everything we go through and see is reflected in the way we are when we get older. This line speaks to the impact people and things have on us, whether we may know it or not. The roots planted by our families, friends‌and loved ones show in the leaves that grow as we do.

T. Klayah My favorite line is “ I swallowed all the trauma until my bark could only burst.”

The reason this is my favorite line is because if you‌think about it, some people really do go through this type of trauma and I’m like, how do they handle it. I want to know the way that she used the word. It really made some sense, but when she says she had to swallow all that trauma, no wonder she was going to explode. But when she really talked about reaching out for that sunlight, maybe the sunlight was the trauma that she had told in.

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T. Kenneth My favorite line in the poem is at 0:20-0:21, “all this anger is not mine.” This is my favorite line because I can relate to the feeling because anger makes me feel overwhelmed but growing up taught me that overcoming your obstacles can be challenging, but you can do it.

V. Sebastian “This is a book that I wouldn’t have without my city” this is a line that I can personally resonate with because I would not be the person I am without dc. If I were raised in Maryland, I would not know anybody I have met on U Street who has taught me life lessons. I never would have understood gentrification in dc without having lived on 14th street. The line is something that every dc native can agree with because dc is so unique that its people cannot be copied anywhere. Without DC, most of us wouldn’t have been the people we are today

ChaMel W. All in all, I love the entirety of this poem. The way their body language and tone of voice conveyed the meaning of the poem was so entertaining to watch. My favorite line is when he says, “do not use these hands with the intent of acknowledging or understanding someone’s privilege to help the cause.” I like this line so much because when we fight someone we don’t think about the bigger picture we’re just focused on ourselves and our pride. When we tell someone they are about to “catch these hands” we don’t ask questions — we just swing‌— we don’t even try to understand where the other person is coming from. This right here is why I like this line, because it alludes to the endless cycle of violence we inflict using our modern-day slang to truly resonate with the audience and viewers.

W. Jacayla What are the four most interesting things we did in 2023 that you want to learn more about? And why are they interesting to you?

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The four things that interested me that were done in 2023 that I want to learn more about are: The 7th annual Word Beats & Life Festival, the concerts, the “Towards 2040” fellowship and the “Off the Couch” virtual party. The 7th annual WBL festival is something that interests me because not only does it look like fun, but it looks like it’d be good to do after work or something as a break so I could have a good time with friends and family. The concerts interested me as well because it’d be a nice outing for everyone and who knows, we could meet the people we were a fan of. The 2040 fellowship interests me because I get to help out with creative solutions, work on the 2025 festival, and because it circles around the hip-hop community, freedom, liberation and radical love. Last but not least, the “Off The Couch” virtual party interests me because you can do what you do, music if you like rocking out, instruments‌and singing at the party, and I love to dance, so I think this can be a great opportunity for me. I think all four of these things describe me really well because I love festivals where I can party, be myself, see friends and family‌and rock out, and the same goes for concerts, especially if I could meet the people I’m a fan of, and then you got helping out people and helping other people out, and lastly, the “Off the Couch” virtual party can be great because it’s virtual and then I can dance my heart away because it’s what I love to do.

W. Jewhel For the longest time, my parents or my twin would’ve been my light. Or when it came to heroes, I’d go and instantly call out Maya Angelou, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. And it’s not like my feelings or these people have faded or changed; just that now my answer has changed a bit. As of late, there has been a high school friend who has served as a light in my life, and I thank him big time. This person has helped me in so many ways. Where expressing always came hard for me, he has helped me to open up and express more. I was always more of the quiet one. Never stood out in crowds, always observed, and this guy has literally almost completely transformed me into the opposite. He’s always been the person to lead in the front, he’s the conversation starter, he’s the head or president of almost every group. Everybody knows him. Literally, he’s my social butterfly.

Envy was never something that came to mind when I named all of his attributes, by the way. It’s actually a feeling that I can’t even describe, like excitement but that’s too little a word to even scratch the surface. His kindness, support and encouragement have made a significant impact on me, in ways where he reached out to me differently, and his actions were able to actually take effect on me, despite all the people who have come before him and have tried to do the same. Despite our challenges, I am grateful to have someone like him in my life. He’s actually been the shoulder I could lean on during hardships this past year, and the one…the only one, I could open up to. One of the main reasons why I could never blame him for any of the challenges or issues we’ve faced. I’ll have to remember to thank him for just being there for me.

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W. Reine “The next time someone tries you, tell them they can catch these hands!” This is my favorite sentence because it starts or initiates the video and defies their meaning. I like this sentence because it speaks truth. It is a simple sentence to say to have the other side back down, or stand up and fight and believe it or not, sometimes a fight is what is needed to achieve the better. I also like this sentence because it isn’t used as an attack or for bullying. It’s simply for defense and for showing that you will not do me wrong and expect me to back down and let that slide. It shows that I will stand up for myself if someone wants to push me or break me down. It shows the determination and the confidence you have and that, that is truly something you need to achieve to move forward and become greater.

W. Sincere My favorite line from this poem was, “In the wake of injustice.” This line was my favorite because I saw injustice all around me, but never directed at me. I saw many people get hurt with the power of injustice and worse, I saw people killed due to the impact of injustice. This line gives me some motivation to find a way to use my future career also as a way to stop all this injustice that’s spread around‌— That hurts, offends‌and kills those affected by it. I also want to make sure that the future no longer faces the same injustice that I saw.

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