Art Meza Reads "Echo Park" a poem by Luis J. Rodriguez

#BanningHistory | Author S. J. Rivera reads Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales' "Message To Aztlán"

In cooperation with Banning History, S. J. Rivera, author of "Demon in the Mirror" and "Amerikkkan Stories", reads from "Message To Aztlán" by legendary Chicano activist Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales. Rivera chose to do this to help fight back against the censorship and book banning occurring in Arizona. Book banning is unconscionable in this day and age and everyone who values their freedom should be alarmed at what the state of Arizona is doing. Banning History's goal is to get as many video submissions as possible of people reading passages from the books that Arizona has banned - mostly Chicano history. Banning History is fighting back against the attempted cultural genocide in Arizona. No history is illegal!

Poets Responding To SB1070

Have you seen this?  Go to Facebook right now and look at all the amazing poets responding.

Their description reads:  Poets gather here to respond to Arizona SB 1070, a law that targets immigrants and legalizes racial profiling. We feature poetry and immigrant human rights news.



So go.  Post.  Like.  Share.  Flor y canto is good for your soul.

I Want to Be Educated

Today, we have a beautiful poem from Ezzy Guerrero-Languzzi who blogs about education, culture and awareness.   My favorite line in it is where she says, "I give you permission to confiscate them."  Powerful.

I Want to Be Educated

by Ezzy Guerrero-Languzzi

I want to be educated ...

Chapters in books

Pages, words

Sounds, thoughts, emotions

Discovery

Who's free, really, in this country?

I never had the right, apparently

What you cannot, will not, refuse to see

I promise will never cease to be

These chapters in books and pages, words

Voices from the past, a warning to the future

A salve for wounds undiscovered

These chapters in books and pages, words

Tell me that in humanity I am not alone

I have brothers and sisters on the same journey

Finding our place in this world and our communities

Go ahead

You may take them

I give you permission to confiscate them

Ban them

Burn them

Hide them in boxes

Do what you must

But know -- try as you may, you cannot hide or change history

You will not conquer me.