Life Behind Barbed Wire Poetry from New York Youth Incarcerated

by James, Joy; Kids, Save The

• ISBN13: 9781936900237
• ISBN10: 1936900238
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2014-12-15
• Publisher: Arissa Media Group, LLC

Summary

A continuation of the Poetry Behind the Walls series, this collection provides a space and place for the voices of youth who are incarcerated to critically express their experiences related to the criminal justice system, school system, and their community. Grounded in Hip Hop culture, the writing style throughout the series often reflects non-colonial English. The collection promotes social justice and critical thinking about education, poverty, sexism, racism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, and all other forms of oppression. As a creative outlet and space for expression, this book provides a means for the poets to empower themselves and resist victimization.

Author Biography

Save the Kids is a fully volunteer grassroots organization rooted in hip-hop and transformative justice. It advocates for alternatives to, and the end of, the incarceration of all youth. It is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Joy James is a professor of political science and humanities. She is the author of Seeking the Beloved Community. She lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts.