LAHC presents: Poetry & Spoken Word Night

Brave New Voices

Youth Speaks Inc. has a spoken word competition, ages 13-19, called  Brave New Voices every year. You can catch it on HBO and, of course, check out clips on YouTube. The Facebook Page also has some information about the event. 

Originally Posted on Loka Licha's World.

If you are between the ages of 13-19,
live in the Long Beach/South Bay area,
and are looking to let society hear your voice,

JOIN ONE IMAGINATION'S slam team!

They will be competing in HBO's Brave New Voices 2010 poetry slam (July 19-24) in Los Angeles and other team mates are needed!

If interested, please RSVP with Jumakae so she can personally contact you regarding the location.

Rehearsals will be on Sundays, either from 9am-noon or noon-3pm until the start of the competition.

If accepted, you are required to be committed to all rehearsals and must be present for the WHOLE WEEK of the competition.

Minimum 10 pieces, preferably memorized.
3 minutes maximum each.
Must be a good team member.
(Judging is based on content AND performance.)
Contact:

Jumakae (562)833-5624

jumakae(at)gmail.com

or facebook (Jumakae Yodraj)

 

Lessons from My Mother

This is something I wrote for my mother and shared with my family on Mother's Day...and to quote Erykah Badu, "keep in mind that I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my shit."
 

Lessons From My Mother

Being a Mother means having the ability to change the world with a warm embrace. 

It means crossing the border at 8 months pregnant with your first child.

Significa ser una mujer fuerte que deja su familia y su tierra con sueños de una vida mejor. Being able to bear the hardships and confusion of a new country because the future of your children is a vision you see so clearly. 

Being a mother means doing all you can con lo que tengas.

It means abrazos y besos. Creating a home that is a shelter from the outside world. Un refugio. Always challenging negative messages we may receive with endless support y mucho amor.

It means cutting cupones and pinching pennies.

Always letting us know that material objects do not create happiness. 

That having knowledge is more important than having a brand new pair of shoes. 

Y que la belleza de la vida se puede encontrar en las cosas sencillas.

Being a mother means letting your kids know they are so much more than their struggles.
Letting us know que siempre debemos estar orgullosos de quienes somos.

Yo, soy como mi mama: Mujer Luchista con piel canela y un gran corazón.

Being a mother means doing a scary job that is not appreciated enough.

Es hacer un trabajo para el que no se puede entrenar.

But doing all you can to get it right

It means teaching through example. Passing on wisdom and strength. 

A wisdom that has created an appreciation of history and a focus on what is ahead.

Mi mami y mis raíces keep me grounded.

And I can never feel lost.

Being a mother means arroz con pollo, tamales and that one pasta I like so much. 

Never letting your kids eat fast food no matter how much they beg.

Es saber que sólo lo mejor sale de su cosina.

Being a mother means having a voice so strong it can move the earth.

It means loving so much that it hurts.

Always having your child's best interest at heart.

El amor de una mama es único.

And I know I will never fully understand this until I am a mother myself.

And when that seed is planted in me, 

I will teach mis hijos el mismo amor y respeto 

que mi mami me enseño a mi
 

These are the Lessons of My Mother...

Some words for mothers...

A mother's love liberates-Maya Angelou.

 For all the hard working mothers out there struggling on a daily basis, all I can say is that I see you. I may not be in your situation but I know it can't be easy, getting up everyday even though you are so tired from the day before. And with each new day, a new challenge to protect your kids. Trying your best to do all you can. Single moms are sheros in this world. Beautiful and strong women on their own doing so much for the sake of their kids. Teaching lessons in between jobs. Your work may go unrecognized by the media, but not by the women that know the risks a mother is willing to take for their kids. Creating a home isn't easy, even when you do have a partner. All the home-maker mommas make sacrifices of their own to provide us with everything we need to be happy and healthy. And nothing compares to the love a mother provides. Now that I am older, I'm really starting to understand what women give up to be mothers. So, Thank You to all the courageous women of the world raising the future generations.