Choosing to Participate...Estilo Hip Hop...Say Word!

So I've been back in the states for three days now. And though I'd be lying if I said that I didn't wish I was back "living the dream": traveling by day, rocking at night, figuring out how to make a dollar out of 23 Crowns, I can honestly say that I'm happy to be home. My train rides have been a bit brighter; my day dreams have been a bit richer. And though I've been grustling since I woke up Tuesday morning...I'd have it no other way.

It's taken me about this long to get over jet-lag, get back into the swing things, and find something that's actually worth writing about. Well, actually, I guess I have a couple of things to write about . . .

I began working with the 12th graders at the Facing History School this week. They will be our first graduating class. And since I won't be returning to the school next year, I'm kinda looking at this semester as my graduation of sorts. I'm working with 60 teenagers on the development of independent art projects--to culminate with a gallery-style exhibition set for the end of May. It is time for my kids to "Choose to Participate." Throughout their time at FHS they've studied human behavior during times of chaos and fear (looking at the Holocaust, Apartheid and the Eugenics Movement). They understand how humans develop the roles of victim, perpetrator, bystander and upstander. And now in order to graduate, they need to define an area of social justice and use their voice to raise awareness and call for action. Not bad for a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds, huh?



On a related note, last night I saw one of the most relevant Hip Hop docs that I've seen in a minute. Estilo Hip Hop tells the story of three emcees from Chile, Cuba and Brazil who use Hip Hop to fight for change in their own lives and social justice in the community at large. Afterwards Vee and Loira (aka DJ Laylow)--who have been working on the film for 7 years-- dropped some serious knowledge regarding the political nature of much of the Hip Hop coming out of Latin America. I'm sure my Say Word cohorts Darkside and Gun know exactly what they're talking about. Peep their blogs for more info: Rabbi's Blog. . . Gun's Blog. Peep the trailer . . .





Spread the Word!


Peace,
Far