SWOPblogger

MAY 8 - 11 (THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY): 3:45, 6:00, 8:15

This new documentary is a poetic glance at a community’s creative response to a series of teacher firings, taking place in the context of police brutality and restrictive free speech zones - a nation at war abroad and with its people. When the bombs began to fall on Iraq in 2003, Albuquerque Youth Poetry Slam Team Coach, Bill Nevins, was suspended and later fired from his teaching job, while his outspoken High School Poetry Team was silenced. Nevins was the last of seven area educators removed by fearful administrations seeking to quell debate and expression by students. Days after Nevins’ removal, brutal police tactics on anti-war protesters emerged as the latest attempt at silencing these voices. Yet out of this fire arose a committed community of courageous poets, and musicians. They came together across the country and was dubbed Poetic Justice.  It defied the fear tactics of the day to support and model freedom of speech and stand with the fired teacher. The voices from Poetic Justice, and the resulting film, stand as a testament to our creative spirit and an affirmation of the power of our words - a path toward transformation and hope in these troubling times.

THE GUILD CINEMA, 3405 Central NE (Tulane Dr)

Thanks to Charles for the heads up on this one. And thanks to Bill Nevins and the young poets for doing what they do...

Labels: Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, Intel, Iraq, POP Culture, war

# posted by karlos @ 8:47 AM