Autobiographical Poem - 8:08

eight oh eight, it's difficult for me to contemplate
knots in my neck, elbows sore
i can't get this stench out of my core

if uncomfortable was a slight, sought after, subdued and sublimed surprise
what more am i looking for

eight oh eight, it's easy to cast this all as fate
i can think, get me away from this place
concrete walls, painted and understated
perspiration, deeply penetrated and permanently imbedded

noises of noises, i can hear the clash and the scratch and the stomp and the crack
but at five oh five what more did i ask for

if i had key to lock all my insecurities i would wear it around my neck
labeled yet i am not ready to share it
publicly fabled
we are all caught up, quick to prove
expectations improvisations
slow to speak the truth
when did i become so tame
wasn't I seemingly bold, able to declare, confident enough to bare

eyes closed, minds shut
afraid
unafraid
im getting up
toes curled
feet first
out my bed

This is a poem I wrote (early in the morning ;) when I was living in Myra Village, a rural village in South Africa. It was written in my journal on November 21, 2004, my first few weeks there.
Here is an accompanying side note I found at the bottom of the page,
"It was 8:08 am, the rain was pouring outside, I had deep pains in my stomach, I was over walking outside to shit. My bucket was right there. Thank God for the lid." - joy

Photography - First Exposures

First Exposures students had a unique opportunity to create bilboards that were publicly displayed on city streets throughout San Francisco and San Jose. Using current events and their personal experiences with prejudice or misjudgment, First Exposures students used the power of their words and images to design billboards that encourage a greater acceptance of diversity and difference. Our hope is that the billboards will inspire people to overcome the human instinct to prejudge each other, and instead, affirm our similarities as a human race. The resulting billboard prototypes were also displayed in a show at San Francisco City Hall, in collaboration with the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery.

Spoken Word Poetry - Youth Speaks

Youth Speaks empowers the next generation of leaders, self-defined artists, and visionary activists through written and oral literacies. We challenge youth to find, develop, publicly present, and apply their voices as creators of social change.

Check out these podcasts of Bay Area youth speaking out about issues that are important to them.

Video - Jeff

This is short video about Jeff and his story!

Storyteller: Brian Chu
Brian Chu has his BA in Broadcasting from SFSU. He currently works as a Production Coordinator at Fitness Anywhere, a fitness and lifestyle company. He also works as a freelancer on various projects - from wedding videos, producing videos on famous BMX bikers, documenting a recent trip to Argentina he's an amazing and inspiring artists. - plus I'm related to him ;) He's also done professional projects for the African American Cultural Center and Center for Women Present!

Audio Stories - Radio Rookies

Radio Rookies® is a New York Public Radio® initiative that provides teenagers with the tools and training to create radio stories about themselves, their communities and their world.

This story was created by Christian:

I was born in Puebla, Mexico and I am 14 years old. Some of my interests are cars and skateboards. I spend my time in Eye Openers and going to school. One of my favorite cars is the Lexis I.S. 300. I am a sports car fanatic. My favorite colors are red, white and black.
Fall 2006