As August comes to an end, and with a new school year right around the corner, we want to offer this poem by Tyjohn Sykes, former Youth Member and current Youth Justice Assistant, as a poem of strength and encouragement for young people, and the adult allies in their lives, one that they may carry with them into the new school year.
“This is a poem of hope for young people to support them as they tap into their self-love, and to encourage them to follow their dreams. To let them know that they are not alone in this journey. A lot of people feel like they are the only ones going through specific traumas. This poem incorporates tools to fight depression. It envisions what justice could look like in our community. We are superheroes, we just don’t see it. We think the powers we possess are not already super powers.”
This past month, Tj hosted a workshop at Leadership Public School (LPS) as a safe space for high school students to discuss both the recent and historical gun violence in Richmond. Together, they discussed safety, what it means to them, and what it could be. This workshop was hosted through their Community Leadership Institute, following a visit to RYSE where LPS students engaged in RYSE programming in community heath, youth organizing, media arts and culture, and education and justice. LPS students also held one-on-one interviews with RYSE staff to learn more in these areas.
Peace Warrior
Justice just means to do the right thing.
Humility is when someone falls down help them get back up.
Confidence is walking with your head up, looking people in their eyes, smelling like cocoa butter and baby powder.
Humbleness is not putting other people down who has not found their inner warrior but actually encouraging them to be themselves no matter how challenging it may be.
Kindness is meeting new people, being patient, not being judgmental, making fun of the clothes they wear, the way they talk or look.
You can feel in your heart if you have wronged someone you empathize with them.
The requirement of us is to act based off morals honoring and remembering our elders and ancestors, showing unconditional love and forgiveness towards all mankind while we walk with the Lord.
Warriors bring harmony to this chaotic world.
True warriors acknowledges their wrong doings and commits to restoring them.
Fights off isolating themselves or walking around with their heads down with prayers, meditation, and therapy.
Creates ways to survive on this earth with their natural born powers the ability to walk, talk, and change the world.
Each and every person in this room has very unique powers some are good at math, some can draw and others are good at writing.
Humble warriors open doors for elders, feed the homeless, these things makes it easier to empathize with others.
Humble warriors appreciate the small things Christmas without presents just the presence of family, birthday cards with no money in them.
I read a page a day of “Acts of Faith” it be one of my remedies of encouragement fueling my inspiration as well as sharing it with others in hopes of giving them tools to use daily to fight depression.
Writing poetry gave me a new spectrum of imagination writing my truth out and sharing it with others then getting different reactions show me that my voice and my story is powerful.
Being on a beach listening to waves hit sand and taking deep breaths with eyes closed helps me connect with my inner self in order to find peace.
20 jumping Jacks, 20 push ups, and 20 pull ups.
Riding my bike 30 miles or doing yoga stretching helps me relieve stress and stay centered.
These things fuel my superpower self love which will ultimately fuel other people’s superpower that are watching me closely.
Each and every one of us are warriors we have all survived something or someone.
Today you can commit to looking in the mirror daily and telling yourself you are powerful beyond measure.
This will fuel your superpower and if you get discouraged and quit the next day is a good day to try again.
There are 24 hours in a day choose what you do with yours wisely.
August at RYSE:
RYSE brought the summer season to a close with two major community events: Night Out for Safety and Liberation, and Lead with Love: our multimedia showcase. Check out photos from both of these events bringing the stories and experiences of our communities' young people to the forefront. Here, the youth lead with their vision of love, safety, and empowerment that move beyond fear, punishment, and violence.
This month, RYSE also welcomed back and collaborated with LPS high school students for their summer community service day, and with high school students from Tohoku, Japan (Richmond's sister city) through the Tomodachi Youth Leadership Program. RYOT youth interns also organized and led "Our Schools, Our Voice," a back to school event engaging young people in discussion, reflection, and transformation around educational justice in WCCUSD.
Plus: Photos from our summer vegan cooking classes, participating in the Youth Power Summit at UC Davis, and more!
Upcoming Event
La Feria de Septiembre: Free Community Event
Celebrating Chicanx & Latinx Heritage Month
Friday, Sept. 14 from 4 - 7 PM at RYSE
Join us to honor the hxstory, legacy, and resistance of the indigenous and Latin American community, our ancestry, cultural practices, and traditions.
WHEN: September 14th, 2018 from 4 - 7 PM
WHERE: RYSE Center, 205 41st St. Richmond, CA 94805
WHO: Community members of all ages