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Part One

Black History
Mystery

I sit and see
All the stuff people do and fee
Of what she do and me
I sit in peace.

Black people say “why us?”
And all I can say is “Because—
Why not, look what we do
We do stupid stuff, we use
Pots,
Pills,
Glocks,
Kill
We need meals
Why kill
And use glocks;
And we don’t need pills
And why pots?”

Black people say “why us?”
Because most protect in the time of lust
There’s a time for soft and a time for hard
When we are down,
I’ll help and guard.

Part Two

I’ll help and protect
I’ll help you
Because I’m here for you
They bust I’ll shoot
That’s what riders do
If you don’t like it shoo
Be real, I’m better than you
I’m smarter than you
I’m too sick for you.

“I need help
Victor can you help me?”
I say with what?
She say I want to be like you
I say for what?
Just try

I can’t
Yes you can.
You’re a girl, I’m a man
But you have all these fans
That’s why I said you can.

You still want to be with me,
But we both been through slavery.

Part Three

This is just my life
The sun is dark
I’m in New York
My boy got a kite
But I’m not a dork
I see it on my flight
Leaving New York
I just saw a fight
I see the man with the torch
I’m off the plain with a bike
He pushed him off with some force
I spit this off the mic
Of course
I am the spotlight
I leave no remorse
When you see on the field
It’s all highlights
I am the joy
Of my life
Of your life
Of the life of me

V.

With help from our VISTA worker, Tricia, students have been developing their photographic eye with digital cameras. Through scavenger hunts that get students to explore both outside and inside, challenges to find “juxtaposition” and “texture,” and peer interviews using digital video cameras, Lab students have generated a lot of impressive work.

When we kicked off The Lab @ Homecroft this year, I had no concept of how intense it would be to take The LAB to the next level. I had no idea what key elements would be required in order to bring this vision to life. Three months later, it is clear to me – it takes teamwork and hospitality. It is also clear to me, that our students are always watching us – our behavior, our example… Read more

(posted by B.1)

From September 11, 2008 until 2day, my experience with The Lab has been wonderful. My work with every one, including Glo (our mentor in the recording studio) has been great.  He’s a great lyricist.  D is a great rapper, N is a great collaborator.

Learning how to use Garageband has been cool. My plan for my project is to be done by January 1,  2009. I’m making a 12-track compilation CD, produced by Glo and B.1.  Special thanks to Mary T. and Kristen, and thanks to God, because with out them, B.1 wouldn’t be heard.
Peace. One love.

(posted by N.)

The Lab is cool.  I can see myself here all the time, and my man Glo is a beast!

B.1 should be a pastor, and the Lab staff are awesome.  If U have a talent, bring it to The Lab and I’m sure you’ll shine!

(posted by mentor, Glo)

As I spend more time with these kids and teenagers who are so called “troubled”,  I am realizing that the “trouble” is more so from their internal struggle with the environment they come from and having to deal with school and all the different complexities that come with that.  They get labeled and put into a box that many never see past… Read more

Local artist, Art Car Heather, came to our Highland Senior Enrichment last week to make art cards with students. Much like baseball cards and other collectible game cards, artist trading cards are traditionally 2.5 by 3.5 inches and are passed hand-to-hand.

The top middle Obama card was made by S. and the card at the top right corner (sun set) and the one directly below it (hand holding balls) were made by B.

Artist Trading Cards created by Highland Senior students and Lab volunteers.

Click “Read more” at the bottom to see the other Highland Senior Poets’ work!

Untitled

I think about what I want to do…
But I don’t have a problem with you.
The things I do are not tight
We mostly
Smoke
Drink
Fight
‘till late at night.
Until I wake up deep inside and realize what I’m doing is wrong
The smoking and drinking
I’m thinking about life, the future,
Will I ever get married and have a wife?
A life, two kids, a job and a great house,
Things to take care of– like the house mouse?

E.

Read more

Click “Read more” at the bottom to see the other Highland Senior Poets’ work!

Check it Check it

I don’t gang bang nor do crazy things
OK I’m from the hood I would change it if I could
Everybody say “where you from” cause I don’t blend in
So I gotta believe what’s within
Within my heart and that’s to be smart
That’s to be the smart guy with out stealing or dying
I’m trying to make it through life
And start a family and have a good wife
Have three kids
Take ‘em to buy shakes without the lids
I ain’t trying to go down, I’m trying to go up
And not keep a frown

M.

Read more

Click “Read more” at the bottom to see the other Highland Senior Poets’ work!

Hard Times
It is hard trying to keep up with life
You wonder why
People kill people for a pip
You see people on the street
Gang bangin and selling weed
Is that how you want to be?
Stay in school, get your education
Because when you go out into the real world
It is going to be a lot of hedonism
So try not to pay attention
And even know you’re struggling
Got to keep your head up
Don’t let no one being you down
Just keep going up
Never go back down
Where there’s a will
There’s a way
And you can change
What people haven’t changed

D.

Read more

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