In the past two months, several things have been going on, some of which has been noted in this newsletter (No. 10) with an
exception to late April's happenings that'll be covered in the next. The title, 'More than a Game', is inspired by
a few of those events, including the Nolan Richardson talk we focused on in February, and also the St. Vincent High School
fab five documentary featuring Lebron James that I got to see in early April.
With the conclusion of March Madness, and the beginning of the NBA Playoffs, the title fits the time. However, the relevance of the
title, 'More than a Game' and what that means also applies to the politics of current events and the strategies of survival that we
find in games like chess which some also relate to life in general; (background on the title).
Below you will find a link to photographs and videos of the ASNMSU & soulVerse hosted event, The Open Stage III, which took place on April 10, 2010. The recordings
include footage of poet, Shihan, and Hip Hop artists Oddisee & Trek Life. Shout out to all those that performed and the individuals
involved in making The Open Stage happen. Also extended props to Shihan's poetry performance about his work with youth in Los Angeles that
are caught inside the system.
I've also continued what we started a few months ago by reposting past interviews. In this newsletter you'll find a link to the Luis
Rodriguez interview that was conducted several years ago during my undergrad studies at NMSU. I've recently started reading Always
Running again, only to rediscover many details that I missed in my initial reading of the text in 2003. The interview
also includes an audio recording of Rodriguez which was broadcasted during my time at KRUX 91.5 fm in Las Cruces, NM. I also encourage
you to check out the following blog posted by Rodriguez titled 'Creating Community in Violent Times' which documents his visit to Ciudad Juarez
this year | click here |.
During the Spring semester of 2006, I got the opportunity to work with a group of colleagues and students on a documentary titled Youth
Addressing Justicia, an ASP Experience, a film about the J. Paul Taylor Symposium on Social Justice for Women and the activities
leading to that event. The DVD cover of the documentary has been posted below. In addition to reposting past interviews, one of my
goals for this site is to document the work of the NMSU Family Life Center's Aqui se Puede program, which would eventually influence
the Voices Behind Walls program and other workshops that took place in between El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM post-2006. During the life
of the Aqui se Puede program, several poetry chapbooks, a theatre play, documentaries and various photos, videos, writings, art and
other expressions were created. Stay tuned for updates of the VBW/ASP section of the site.
As you navigate through the page you'll find several links to news articles and information related to what I've come across in the
past two months. Shout out to Elvira Carrizal-Dukes and her plays that took place February 15, 2010 @ UTEP (see the program cover below) and also
much thanks to graphic design artist KD for sending one of her assignments that reminded me of the idea behind justice and ultimately the power/influence of the written word. You'll find a link to that image to the right of the page. Towards the bottom, I had to include something on Sade's contribution
to the world and also a reminder for May 18, 2010 which will see the release of MF Grimm's latest Hip Hop record titled You Only Live Twice.
I also want to take some time to forward you to the work that Lisa Suhay of the Hip Hop Chess Federation is doing out in Norfolk, VA. In
due time, I'm also hoping to publish more information on the Norfolk chess program at our Hip Hop Alumni website, which will eventually include
a page dedicated to syllabi and activities for elementary, middle, high school and collegiate level programs that utilize Hip Hop as an educational
resource. Links to articles describing the Norfolk Chess program are linked below. For the Hip Hop Alumni page visit: | hiphopalumni.com |
By the next newsletter I'm also anticipating to have info on a creative arts/Hip Hop/chess related workshop that we're planning locally. Links to video and photos of Grand Master Susan Polgar's visit to El Segundo Barrio on April 24, 2010 will also be posted. GM Polgar presented
on the benefits of having chess in the classroom and the Queen also hosted a simulation with 50 players that ranged in age and skill from the
El Paso/Ciudad Juarez community. Please visit her website which is linked to the right of the page.
In recognition of chess as it involved the Voices Behind Walls program, the audio included below is a beat created by Sam aka Mousey, who during
our poetry workshops would produce entire instrumentals off of a Yamaha keyboard. At the time our goal was to create a soundtrack of music and poems that
spoke for the lessons students/staff picked up at the detention facility through the game of chess. We got so far as a few beats with hopes that we'd be able
to use the instrumental provided in the audio player as an intro to our CD. The instrumental is split in three parts (rough drafts). Shout out to Mouse and the other incredible talents that spoke through their beats at the J. Paul Taylor Detention Center. I could only
imagine the potential of that talent had we been sitting behind better studio equipment. Much respect.
In acknowledgement of one of Hip Hop's most renowned voices, Keith Elam aka GURU (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal), the banner of this newsletter includes a line from the DJ Premier produced
"Robbin' Hood Theory"... 'for the youth is the future, no doubt thats right and exact..." With admiration and respect for all you inspired in my life through rhyme... rest in peace GURU.
