Composite of youth in NYC demonstrating the 'light work' dance, following a rally for Slain Youth at Union Square, NYC.

I thought, here I am, a high school teaching artist, relating to kids who could very well occupy the classrooms I teach, in an open and unfettered way, unrestricted from the confines of school walls. I made my way darting between lightwork circles and cyphers rapping to beats banged out on park trash cans--learning from kids about Stop & Frisk, and connecting them up with the movement to end i. We are seeing the beginning of a historical moment: where the hoodie has become a badge of honor, and a symbol of resistance.

"No more generations of our youth, here and around the world, whose life is over, whose fate has been sealed, who have been condemned to an early death, or a life of misery and brutality, whom the system has destined for oppression and oblivion even before they are born. I say no more of that." -Bob Avakian