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Fifth in a series of short readings from my memoir about teaching incarcerated high school students in NYC–The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_GjY0e218zU Reading 5 of a series of short readings from The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island “The New Plantation takes us into the chaos of Rikers Island, giving us the vivid voices of young men–kids, really–caught in the unrelenting grip of institutional racism. I found it riveting.” –Monica Wood, author of When We Were the Kennedys, Ernie’s … Continue reading Fifth in a series of short readings from my memoir about teaching incarcerated high school students in NYC–The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island →

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Speech from James Baldwin in Debate with William F. Buckley

https://aeon.co/videos/the-legendary-debate-that-laid-down-us-political-lines-on-race-justice-and-history?utm_source=Aeon+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dbe3431fe4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_05_06_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_411a82e59d-dbe3431fe4-68662141&fbclid=IwAR2VjyY9c1-ShgjhvnWMBh4I2K-IrkrGgBs23cq6tSo7627HPE1eUucxKOo Listen to this speech from James Baldwin with an open heart and mind, and I predict that you will not be able to vote for Donald Trump. Maybe you won't admit it, but when you get in the ballot box, your hand will rebel. Definitely among the most powerful descriptions of American history and … Continue reading Speech from James Baldwin in Debate with William F. Buckley →

Violence at Rikers at an ‘All-Time High’ Despite City’s Promise to Curb It

A federal monitor found that the number of times guards at the jail complex used force against inmates rose 54 percent, even as its population shrank. Mayor Bill de Blasio and leaders in the City Council have already agreed to close Rikers Island, one of the country’s largest urban prisons.Credit...Dave Sanders for The New York … Continue reading Violence at Rikers at an ‘All-Time High’ Despite City’s Promise to Curb It →

Reading 3 – The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island

https://www.youtube.com/embed/SG3zoSn28Es High School students in the Sprungs on Rikers Island “The New Plantation takes us into the chaos of Rikers Island, giving us the vivid voices of young men–kids, really–caught in the unrelenting grip of institutional racism. I found it riveting.” –Monica Wood, author of When We Were the Kennedys, Ernie’s Ark, and One-in-a-Million Boy “It’s easy to forget … Continue reading Reading 3 – The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island →

Reading 2 – The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island – from Chapter 2

https://youtu.be/MPvUU1vFeRM Reading 2 from The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island “The New Plantation takes us into the chaos of Rikers Island, giving us the vivid voices of young men–kids, really–caught in the unrelenting grip of institutional racism. I found it riveting.” –Monica Wood, author of When We Were the Kennedys, Ernie’s Ark, and One-in-a-Million Boy “It’s easy to … Continue reading Reading 2 – The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island – from Chapter 2 →

Reading of the Preface of The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island

https://www.youtube.com/embed/A7oJB0CaEE0 The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island was published by Deerbrook Editions. "The New Plantation takes us into the chaos of Rikers Island, giving us the vivid voices of young men--kids, really--caught in the unrelenting grip of institutional racism. I found it riveting." --Monica Wood, author of When We Were the Kennedys, Ernie's Ark, … Continue reading Reading of the Preface of The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island →

The most urgent rap album of 2020? Drakeo the Ruler just phoned it in from jail.

Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler's new album "Thank You for Using GTL" was recorded entirely through the jail phone system. (Deawnne Buckmire) By Chris Richards, Pop music critic for the Washington Post. June 10, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. EDT “This telephone call may be monitored or recorded.” That brain-deadening phrase should sound familiar to anyone who’s … Continue reading The most urgent rap album of 2020? Drakeo the Ruler just phoned it in from jail. →

Music Behind Bars: How BL Shirelle Helps Incarcerated People Craft Their Art

June 16, 2020 ( Courtesy of Dave Jones ) BL Shirelle describes herself in many ways: she is a black woman, a lesbian, and someone who was formerly incarcerated. But her identity and experiences all culminate in her work as an artist. BL is the Deputy Director of Die Jim Crow, the first non-profit record label for formerly and currently … Continue reading Music Behind Bars: How BL Shirelle Helps Incarcerated People Craft Their Art →