Victorio Reyes has travelled the country, offering workshops, readings and presentations.
For information on how to bring Victorio to your spot, shoot him an email:
victorio(at)sunstillrising.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
Bio
Victorio Reyes is an activist and artist living in Albany, NY. Reyes was featured in the anthology of emerging writers: Chorus, published by MTV Books and edited by Saul Williams. He holds an MFA degree from The Vermont College of Fine Arts and teaches poetry classes at Siena College. His poems are forthcoming or have been published in the Acentos Review, Mobius, Word Riot, The Pine Hills Review, The Homework Project and the anthology It Was Written: Poetry Inspired by Hip Hop. In 2014, Reyes served on a panel entitled "Uncovering Hip Hop Poetry" at the AWP Conference. Reyes also explores the role of activism in art evidenced in his essay “A Personal Journey for Justice”, published by the feminist blog She Breathes. Blending his writing and activism, Reyes has also been the executive director of The Social Justice Center of Albany (SJC) for the past 10 years.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Slaves and the White House
Sorry I haven't been around for awhile but...
This just in:
Slaves helped build the white house:
www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/02/slaves.white.house/index.html
If you read the article you will find out that slaves built the white house. You will also find a few tidbits about "our" presidents that used to own slaves. Anyway the article essentially explains how we are at a historical turning point because Barack Obama and more importantly in this case Michelle Obama will be living in the White House. I mention Michelle because she is the ancestor of slaves from South Carolina. I know we should be proud that America has grown sooo much. But...
This sort of gets to the crux as to why I'm not terribly excited about Barack Obama becoming president.
On one of the many occasions that Malcolm X was chosing to criticize civil rights leaders he said something to the affect of: why would you beg to sit on the toilet next to someone who doesn't want to sit next to you? I keep hearing that over and over in my head. I feel like we have been beggin' America for Political representation and now we've got it. But it doesn't feel good to me.
That's because the building was still built by slaves and Obama's election doesn't erase that. But more importantly The papers that govern that building were written by slaveowners. The entire political system was created by slave owners. The basic fundamental aspects of governing in the United States were created by slave owners that didn't recognize the humanity of black people, native people, and women. Imagine that the Israeli constitution was written by Hitler. The situation I'm describing is absolutely at that level and never analyzed from that prism by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Keith Olberman, John Stewart or Barack Obama.
I look at the injustice in our world and more specifically our country. And I say of course. We are functioning in a society that is run by pieces of paper that were written by psychotic, sadistic, evil men. How the hell can we be surprised? None of this changed on November 4th. And that's why I'm not happy.
Eliminate the glorification of these slave masters from our currency, our buildings, cities, counties, and schools. Tear up the papers that they wrote and develop a new concept of governance that is generated by people of all backgrounds. At that point than I will feel that progress has been made. But the truth is I don't believe we are any closer to that than we were 8 years ago.
The Zapatistas, revolutionaries from southern Mexico, said we are not looking to climb the stairs, we are looking to eliminate them.
That's what I'm talking about.
This just in:
Slaves helped build the white house:
www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/02/slaves.white.house/index.html
If you read the article you will find out that slaves built the white house. You will also find a few tidbits about "our" presidents that used to own slaves. Anyway the article essentially explains how we are at a historical turning point because Barack Obama and more importantly in this case Michelle Obama will be living in the White House. I mention Michelle because she is the ancestor of slaves from South Carolina. I know we should be proud that America has grown sooo much. But...
This sort of gets to the crux as to why I'm not terribly excited about Barack Obama becoming president.
On one of the many occasions that Malcolm X was chosing to criticize civil rights leaders he said something to the affect of: why would you beg to sit on the toilet next to someone who doesn't want to sit next to you? I keep hearing that over and over in my head. I feel like we have been beggin' America for Political representation and now we've got it. But it doesn't feel good to me.
That's because the building was still built by slaves and Obama's election doesn't erase that. But more importantly The papers that govern that building were written by slaveowners. The entire political system was created by slave owners. The basic fundamental aspects of governing in the United States were created by slave owners that didn't recognize the humanity of black people, native people, and women. Imagine that the Israeli constitution was written by Hitler. The situation I'm describing is absolutely at that level and never analyzed from that prism by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Keith Olberman, John Stewart or Barack Obama.
I look at the injustice in our world and more specifically our country. And I say of course. We are functioning in a society that is run by pieces of paper that were written by psychotic, sadistic, evil men. How the hell can we be surprised? None of this changed on November 4th. And that's why I'm not happy.
Eliminate the glorification of these slave masters from our currency, our buildings, cities, counties, and schools. Tear up the papers that they wrote and develop a new concept of governance that is generated by people of all backgrounds. At that point than I will feel that progress has been made. But the truth is I don't believe we are any closer to that than we were 8 years ago.
The Zapatistas, revolutionaries from southern Mexico, said we are not looking to climb the stairs, we are looking to eliminate them.
That's what I'm talking about.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Troy Davis part two
Thanks to amazing lawyer Kathy Manley (seriously there are some lawyers that are for the people and she is definitely one of them.) We have this info about Troy Davis from Amenesty International. Obama is president now. So no one is too busy to save this man's life. Let's make it happen people.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/good-news/another-stay-execution-troy-davis-20081029
Another stay of execution for Troy Davis
Troy Davis
© Georgia Department of Corrections
29 October 2008
Troy Davis was granted a provisional stay of execution on Friday, just three days before he was scheduled to be put to death. He has been on death row for 17 years for a crime he maintains he did not commit.
Troy Davis had exhausted his ordinary appeals against his conviction and death sentence, and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles had denied clemency. On 22 October, his lawyers applied to the 11th Circuit Court for an emergency stay of execution and for permission to file a second habeas corpus petition, maintaining that his execution would be unconstitutional.
In its decision issued on Friday, the three-judge panel concluded that Troy Davis had met the burden for a provisional stay of execution. The court then ordered the parties to address the question of whether Troy Davis can satisfy "the stringent requirements" under federal law to get back into court for further appeals on his innocence claim.
Davis’s lawyers have to file their written arguments within 15 days of the 11th Circuit’s order. After receiving this brief, the government has 10 days to file its response. If the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decides that Troy Davis has not met his burden under the federal statute to be able to pursue further appeals, the State of Georgia could again move to set another execution date.
More than 300,000 people in the USA and around the world have appealed for executive clemency for Troy Davis. Among them are former US President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pope Benedict XVI; the European Union, the European Parliament, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Read More
USA (Georgia): Further information on Death penalty/Legal concern: Troy Anthony Davis (m) (27 October 2008)
Stay of execution for Troy Davis (News, 24 September 2008)
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/good-news/another-stay-execution-troy-davis-20081029
Another stay of execution for Troy Davis
Troy Davis
© Georgia Department of Corrections
29 October 2008
Troy Davis was granted a provisional stay of execution on Friday, just three days before he was scheduled to be put to death. He has been on death row for 17 years for a crime he maintains he did not commit.
Troy Davis had exhausted his ordinary appeals against his conviction and death sentence, and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles had denied clemency. On 22 October, his lawyers applied to the 11th Circuit Court for an emergency stay of execution and for permission to file a second habeas corpus petition, maintaining that his execution would be unconstitutional.
In its decision issued on Friday, the three-judge panel concluded that Troy Davis had met the burden for a provisional stay of execution. The court then ordered the parties to address the question of whether Troy Davis can satisfy "the stringent requirements" under federal law to get back into court for further appeals on his innocence claim.
Davis’s lawyers have to file their written arguments within 15 days of the 11th Circuit’s order. After receiving this brief, the government has 10 days to file its response. If the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decides that Troy Davis has not met his burden under the federal statute to be able to pursue further appeals, the State of Georgia could again move to set another execution date.
More than 300,000 people in the USA and around the world have appealed for executive clemency for Troy Davis. Among them are former US President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pope Benedict XVI; the European Union, the European Parliament, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Read More
USA (Georgia): Further information on Death penalty/Legal concern: Troy Anthony Davis (m) (27 October 2008)
Stay of execution for Troy Davis (News, 24 September 2008)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Election, me, and John McCain
So first things first. My girlfriend Laura, told me I was rude to all you in my last post about Troy Davis. My apologies. In the next couple of days I will write more about Troy Davis so please check in. We have to save this man's life...
So yesterday Jory and I (Jory is my bandmate. That's right I'm in a band that is touring the country as we speak) were driving through Phoenix with a hitchhiker. (Yeah a hitchhiker with in IPhone.) Anyway it's around 6pm and we are passing Phoenix airport. We noticed that traffic stopped slightly in front of us. However the highway was completely opened up just in front of where traffic was stopped. There were two helicopters circling the highway... Although I was unable to see the motorcade. We are fairly certain that we ran into John McCain's motorcade. The police cars that were stopping traffic waited a few minutes and began escorting traffic forward at about 30 miles per hour. The highway in front of them completely open. Than of course we met up with John and Cindy and consoled them through this difficult time.
Well finally the time has come. We have elected the first black president. All I have to say is that I hope I am totally wrong about him. Unfortunately, I don't believe I am...
So yesterday Jory and I (Jory is my bandmate. That's right I'm in a band that is touring the country as we speak) were driving through Phoenix with a hitchhiker. (Yeah a hitchhiker with in IPhone.) Anyway it's around 6pm and we are passing Phoenix airport. We noticed that traffic stopped slightly in front of us. However the highway was completely opened up just in front of where traffic was stopped. There were two helicopters circling the highway... Although I was unable to see the motorcade. We are fairly certain that we ran into John McCain's motorcade. The police cars that were stopping traffic waited a few minutes and began escorting traffic forward at about 30 miles per hour. The highway in front of them completely open. Than of course we met up with John and Cindy and consoled them through this difficult time.
Well finally the time has come. We have elected the first black president. All I have to say is that I hope I am totally wrong about him. Unfortunately, I don't believe I am...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Troy Davis
Alright, time to take a break from election talk, but first a answer to a previous question.
Who are you voting for?
Well I’m not voting because I forgot that I’m gonna be in Arizona on election day partying with John and Cindy.
But if I were voting it would be for… drumroll…
Cynthia Mckinney and Rosa Clemente of the Green Party.
I don’t have time to give much explanation because we have a very important issue to discuss.
So I will say it like this. Rosa Clemente is a good friend of mine and I know she believes as I believe that the US prison system is a continuation of the US Slave system. Period. No presidential candidate for the republicrats would admit this indisputable fact.
So I will explain this assertion eventually but for now I’ll just let the thirteenth amendment speak for me:
"Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, EXCEPT as a punishment for crime where of the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Speaking of slavery, can we speak about Troy Davis. For those of you that have never head of him, it is time to find out. He is an innocent man that could be executed by the State of Georgia in a few weeks. He was scheculed to be executed more than once but he has received several stays of execution.
OK so when I say innocent, I mean INNOCENT. Seven of the nine witnesses that testified against him have recanted their testimony and acknowledged that their original testimonies were a result of police coersion.
Why is an innocent man about to be executed you ask? Well there are a lot of factors, like the horribly racist criminal justice system in “Georgia but for a moment let’s thank one of the people most influential in this total travesty, Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton the great non-republican helped to create the anti-terrorism/anti-death penalty act. What does this have to do with Troy Davis you ask? Well the ATEDP Act made it so it is easier to execute people. It doesn't allow convicts to appeal based on factual disputes rather focuses solely on constitutional and procedural issues. This has resulted in the execution of Innocent People. For example David Wayne Spence was executed in 1997 even though the Police Lietenant that handled the case said: "I do not think David Spence committed this crime." The Supreme Court didn't intervene citing that the ATEDP, tied their hands.
Yeah well Bill Clinton didn’t occupy Iraq but he has been responsible for the execution of hundreds of people since the passing of this act.
What have you done in the past few weeks. Have you spent anytime trying to convince people to vote fro Obama? Campaigning, making phone calls, or donating money. What have you done for Troy Davis?
Well now is the time to forget about the elcction, (news flash: Obama is going to win),
And save Troy Davis’ life. I just went to revisit his website troyanthonydavis.org and it seems to be down. Hopefully that is temporary. Either way read about his case, write letters, develop support committees on his behalf. Save this man's life!!! Please!
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