23 The Cypher is the Opposite of Prison: Liberating Language -- The Peace Poets

This week, we’re talking with the Peace Poets: Lu Aya, The Last Emcee, Frankie 4, and A-B-E (and RAM 3 in spirit). We talk about the power and meaning of language, writing for healing and connection, the cypher as a gathering place for healing and reclaiming power through story. They also share thoughts on direct action, gender, conflict, and how they stay together as a crew through the decades. You’ll hear them burst into poetry and song throughout this episode because that is just what they do. It’s a joy to listen to.

You can download the corresponding practice (23 Practice: Sacred Writing) to join Lu Aya and The Last Emcee in a guided poetry writing exercise. You’ll hear Frankie 4 perform “Lightwork,” and be led through a series of prompts to write and share your own words.

 

REFERRED TO IN THIS EPISODE:

Taproot Sanctuary https://www.facebook.com/TaprootSanctuary/
Emergent Stragtegy Ideation Institute https://www.alliedmedia.org/esii/resources
Grace Lee Boggs & the Boggs Center in Detroit, MI www.boggscenter.org/

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AFFIRMATIONS

Each week we feature community voices uplifting people, organizations, and communities that embody the values of healing justice. Submit your own personal shout-out to spread love on the airwaves here: https://healingjustice.typeform.com/to/YjvuU2

This week’s AFFIRMATION comes from Pam Lozoff, lifting up the rad women and co-organizers of Be The Change Collective: Taraneh Sarrafzadeh, Rashmi Guttal, Michelle Tsakiridis, Nathalie Nai Ngo, and Kat De Silva. Thanks for sharing your respect and love.

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS

The Peace Poets are a collective of 5 artists that celebrate, examine and advocate for life through music and poetry. They’ve helped invigorate the social movements of our time with chants and songs. They hail from The Bronx and have performed across the world in over 40 countries. They’ve rocked the mic in prisons, schools, community centers, clubs, rallies, refugee camps and on the blocks they live on. Fortified with the belief that the cypher is the opposite of prison, they are committed to raising up the power of the people to be creative and connected. You can check out their work at www.thepeacepoets.com and follow them on Facebook  www.facebook.com/ThePeacePoets or Instagram www.instagram.com/ThePeacePoets

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THANK YOU:

This episode was edited by Yoshi Fields
Photo credit for this episode’s image from Jay EsPhotography
Mixed and produced by Zach Meyer at the COALROOM
Intro and Closing music gifted by Danny O’Brien
All visuals contributed by Josiah Werning