In the January 4th edition of the School Library Journal, Amy Cheney (Alameda County Library/Write to Read/Juvenile Hall Literacy program) shares her list of the top ten books that should be read by detained and incarcerated teens. Featured among her list is Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story! The book is in good company, too. Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness and Pistols and Prayers by Ise Lyfe are also on the list.

Whether you’re a teen or not, these books are good reads. Check them out!

Copyright 2012 Monique W. Morris

Yesterday was Fela! Day in San Francisco! The Tony Award winning musical, based upon the music and political struggle of Nigerian artist, Fela Kuti, is playing until mid-December at the Curran Theater in San Francisco; and I encourage everyone in the Bay Area to check it out.

“Musical” doesn’t quite capture the power of this Afrobeat performance. This is a story of the pan-African black liberation struggle. This is about the impact of internalized oppression, and about the games that are played with people’s lives in the name of greed and corruption. This is about victimization and abuse. This is about knowledge and self-discovery. The dance, the song, and the energy, and the passion for justice are as contagious as the Movement itself.

In this holiday season, with occupy movements around the country and (in some cases) unnecessary acts of force to maintain social control, we need reminders about the universality of the quest for dignity and respect–that when we honor human rights, we create a space for all to rejoice in the rhythms of life–and peace. Fela! encompasses all these reminders and more. Bravo!

Copyright Monique W. Morris 2011

Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story by Kemba Smith with Monique W. Morris

I had the pleasure of working with Kemba on this book, which chronicles her unfortunate journey through the federal criminal justice system. Kemba, the only daughter of a middle class family from Virginia, was a college student when she met a drug dealer who changed her life in ways that she could never imagine. After being convicted and sentenced to more than two decades in federal prison even though she never sold drugs herself, Kemba–then pregnant with her first son–became the poster child for all that was wrong with the draconian mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws. Her story reveals many of the problems with the failed war on drugs and will inspire readers and advocates to continue to fight for a fair justice system. Purchase your copy today!

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