So a couple weekends ago, Chef & I participated once more in the IAHH: My Voice Matters Hip Hop Session. It's always the Saturday we look forward to most in the month. It's truly inspiring to feel like you're making a difference in someone's life. Especially through the power of Hip Hop.

Last session we attended had to do with the DJ and this time around, we got to do a topic that is oh so very close to my own heart: spoken word. We discussed and educated the kids about their 1st Amendment Right (Freedom of Speech) and how and what is are protected under it. It was so surprising to see the kids so enthusiastic and involved in this issue. It just goes to show how important it is that educators seeks relative ways of informing people about their rights.

After getting through a little bit of history, we got on to a DVD made by our lovely co-facilitator Ale. The clip showed a spoken word piece by Alicia Keys performed on Def Poetry Jam entitled, "P.O.W." Followed by this piece:

Gemineye - What Are You Fighting For?

then this one:

Black Ice

& this one...

INQ

and finally, an amazing piece by our other cofacilitator and one of the founders of the whole IAHH movement, Mauikai.

Mauikai - Used to Be

It was my favorite session of all time. Not only because of the amazing topic but because of how I saw those poems crept into those kids and changed their perspective. Maybe not permanently but even for the time we were there to be able to present a different view of a matter they are all too familiar with and have them look at things differently is an amazing thing. The feedback recieved was all positive. And even though at first I felt the topic wasn't gonna fly, it was a complete and total success.

If you want to be a part of IAHH and come experience a session for yourself don't be afraid to hit us up at ourvoicematters@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check out the myspace for more info. www.myspace.com/myvoicematters

*love