LAHC presents: Poetry & Spoken Word Night

One Imagination Presents: Break the Silence

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Break your silence.
Tell your story.
Spoken Word.
Sing. Dance.
BE HEARD!

Open Mic sign-ups begin at 6:30pm. Performances are 5 minutes maximum. 1ST TIMERS ENCOURAGED. We strive to provide a welcoming environment to all those who are looking for a safe space to express themselves.

SEE YOU THERE! =) Bring friends. Family friendly!

This event is FREE and ALL AGES!
For more information, please email oneimagination@gmail.com


 MISSION STATEMENT:

"One Imagination empowers the current and next generation of leaders through written and oral expression. As a collective based in the Long Beach/South Bay area, we believe that through conscious artistic programming, community education and outreach, and leadership development, we can cultivate a world free of hatred, ignorance, injustice, inequality, and oppression."

FREE SPEECH, NOT HATE SPEECH.

Pizza Pi

649 East Broadway

Long Beach, CA 90802-5125

Get Directions

(562) 437-0555


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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...

Spoken Word for Moms