Speaking tonight with Flores Forbes. You are in for a treat. Maybe another round of applause your Detroit Red Wings overcome a couple of housekeeping things. We have a cell phone or something that might take place in the now is the time to turn an often silent day. We have the book for sale at the register and we will be signing writer afterwards. We also have flyers for Upcoming Events so we hope you can check us out here to love our event in may. When you buy a book come you not only get a great book a great out there but you support your local independent bookstore in the last big event like this one. We appreciate that. Thank you. Our interviewer for this evening is Flores Forbes can associate Vice President for Strategic Policy and Program Implementation at Columbia University. He was a leader in the black Panther Party insert fighters in prison before receiving a masters degree in urban planning from new york university. Hes the author of two books, will you die with me my life in the black Panther Party and most recently, invisible man im a contemporary slave narrative in the area of mass incarceration. He will be speaking tonight with their featured author, Liza Jesse Peterson pitches are in in various capacities for 18 years as she appeared on two seasons of hbos death poetry was featured in the critically acclaimed film 13. Her onewoman speech plays a peculiar patriot tour of an over 35 penitentiaries across the country and the full production is scheduled to premiere in new york in the fall of this year. Her new book all day can see her in classroom in Island Academy of them high school for inmates to tainted new york citys Rikers Island. Her narrative captures records with its prisoner hierarchy under current violent and constant threat of potential rupture among the inmates and their keepers. Despite the relentless fervor and antics that students and in part because ofa, peterson becomes a fierce advocate working not only to educate them but in so them with a sense of selfworth from their lives. The book has been praised by critics, authors and activists including jamal joseph, Russell Simmons and jacklin with an who writes these are Jesse Peterson fall day is a must read for anyone whos ever cared about young people and all people. Peterson brings love and laughter to the devastating fate of her juvenile Justice System and are able to get to are able in gifted hands we meet young people who will not soon forget and she had been so glad this book is in the world. We feel the same when were glad shes here with us tonight. Rating from the the book first and then join on her conversations and a chance to ask questions after that. Welcome to this stage Liza Jesse Peterson. [applause] high. Thank you all for coming out. Im happy to be here. Im going to jump right in. Im not going to give too much of an introduction because i was a lovely introduction are to give in. Im going to read two short excerpts from the boat. Just to put it in context, this was one year under the 18 years and this is one specific year that i was a fulltime schoolteacher, which is very different than the other capacities that i worked in. Im going to jump right in to read two short excerpts. This is my first rodeo, so im a little nervous. Christopher is a light skinned kid with pink lips blooming on his cheeks like cherry blossoms. The acne on his youth, Holding Space for a year does not quite ready to grow. If it werent for the missing bottom tooth in the front of his growth, he would have this big smile with perfectly straight milky way teeth. Hes built like a gladiator, tall and muscular with broad shoulders and arms, chiseled for the god. He walks with the bodybuilders swagger and an arrogance that takes up too much space. This boy irks me. He never does work in talks all day, barely moving his lips, he makes this strange guttural noise with his wrote that sounds like a mangled swamp frog. It is an aggravating game he likes to play with his toys, and a weirdo this kid. Christopher, please stop making that noise. It is very annoying and sternly demand. I got you, ms. T. Respond. Three minutes later i hear him making that ugly sound just to greet diners in beside me. Nasty girl taught me all building go while mama plays bingo, rides mandingo. All the kids are singing ill cool jay is new song. They keep repeating the word, mandingo, proud that they have learned a new word for dick, proud that they can sit in front of me think and i have no idea what it means. The third time i hear it i say i know what it means into acid tabs and outward in front of me out of respect. Telling them not to do something is of course registering in their rug rat brains to do it. Christopher keep saying men being held over and over again and now we are go frog voice while pleading with the guys to tell him what it actually means. They get a kick out of him saying a word he doesnt know the meaning of him making me mad for saying that. What is that word mean . Why are you tripping over that word christopher innocently asks. I hand him a dictionary and have him look at a period that word is in the dictionary . I thought it was slang he says, quickly flipped the dictionary to lead his defense. The guys are cracking up as he spells the word aloud and searches the dictionary. Man, it didnt go. How do you spell mandingo . They run the floor, tears rolling down her face from laughing. Its not that funny, guys. He asked a legitimate question that is how you learn. I say in mayberry feature like voice. I have to be extra critical with this slippery slope of dick jokes. I continue, that word as an historical meeting and metaphorical meaning someones christopher finds the literal meaning, i will tell you the slang meaning. Ive christopher read aloud the dictionary definition. A member of any of the number of people forming an extensive Linguistic Group in western africa inhabiting a large area of the upper river valley. Then i tell him how its used as slang to imply a mans largesize anatomy. I may as well have sent dick the way they are bickering and carrying on as if they are 10 years old. So now that you know what it means and how its been years, please dont use that word around me again. Okay, i got you, ms. P. He said nodding its head in agreement just to get me out of his face. Two seconds later when i turn my back i hear mandingo and that frog voice i hate again. He is testing me to see what ill do. Hes challenging me to a duel. Hes calling for mama out for a fair one. Hes rubbing the genie and my lamp. I stirring. Christopher, i asked you not to say that. Do not use that word around me. It is bulk or investors that fall. Stop it right now. Stop doing that thing with your voice. It is creepy. He shakes his head in a dismissive chin up not that reads like youve missed. My chest rises and falls slowly with the long measure breath i take to keep my pressure from spiking. I turn my back to write on the board and i hear of mandingo. I swing around in slow motion and the full body work with my neck being the last thing to snap into alignment. Its a kneejerk reflex that flings my mama jeannie and two full octave all up in your face crazy woman purple fury. I am full throttle extremely loud, intense and temporarily unhinged. I am sick and tired of your disrespect. I asked you five times and i am not having this in my class. You havent done any work since a patent to that class to you just run your mouth, making an annoying word and now you are being totally disrespectful. You think you are slight, but dont get it twisted. I dont play games with kids. You have to get up out of here. Proof, proof, get him out of here. I am screaming like a wild we achieve standing over him like a giant possessed mother. He towers in his seat amid stunned by my piece. Hes the incredible shrinking club. I am spraying him with electric shocks like a theatrical magician doing a magic trick, third invisible talcum powder with both of my hands. Next are runs into my room to assist him when he sees me standing over christopher with a wild look of homicide in my eye, he posits to momentarily watch me deliver before swiftly removing christopher out of my class and from the jaws of her. Another approach is me. He asks me if i need to take a minute, go to the bathroom and called down. No i dont mean to go to the bathroom. I am still in my crazy for mama trends. The shocked look on his face reels me back into my body as i dial it back quick. Excuse me for that, officer appeared in good commit thank you yet nobodys out of my class and good. He took it too far in a snap. Im okay honestly and truly. Thank you. In slightly out of breath but deliver my response honey toned with steve still sleeping on my nostrils. And without skipping a beat i continue teaching the class like nothing happened. Idea 100degree 80 change of tone and go right into my speech. Now, open your books to page 47. A verb is your member shows action or state of being. Im speaking just as calmly as can be, but my vibe is layered with hot ice. I walked the aisles making sure everyone is on task if they want passed, i notice hes not on the correct page. Certainly, i demand through clenched teeth. Turn to page 47. Everyone should be on page 47. That is why we are here for. Quickly, take one turns to page 47 as he shakes his head with a perplexed look on his face and says ms. P. , i. E. Never seen you cap like that. Your eyes got real big and crazy looking. Aint messing with you. Then he turns to his buddy, william and turns to page 47. Im turning to page 47, you heard. Ms. P. Is calling nk. A few remarks. She turned about. Without looking or raising my voice, i addressed him in a slow, low monotone growl. There are no niggas in my class, thank you. Maybe some fools, but no niggas. I am still carrying the thug mama veneer. My bad, ms. P. He says that the fifth straight, like an obedient soldier. I laughed to myself because thats exactly what it was and thats exactly my point, to go overboard and get crazy in the eyes. Im a little method will flip on day passes. Even his poof couldnt be matched by the one i just served. Today will go down in the legend. They showed last a good few months god willing. I can write on this show until the end of the semester and keep mama jeannie tucked away in the lamp. [applause] just going to have a quick thing of water and then when mark asked sir and we can talk. Okay, danny. Are you all right . Okay, all right. Thought for today. To have one set of criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is disgrace. Malcolm x. Every morning i read a top or the day on the corner of the board. I asked the students to give their thoughts on a daily inspirational quote. Some mornings its a price that elicits a hearty discussion. Most mornings they grumble, grantor ignored me. Too early for critical thinking. I get it. Until this morning i wasnt sure if the consciousness that is attempting to plan for even registering. I forgot to put the thought for the day on the board, which gerald inquired dude who is easily overlooked quickly was good. He forgot a thought for the day. I smiled as his request affirmed that they are in fact watching. They are taking again and i just might be reaching them after all. You are so right. I got you a reply and i write a new thought for the day in the corner of the board as he diligently copied me into his notebook and grinned. Look at what youve been through and what you survived. You are walking, talking miracle. You are so much more than youve been told, ms. P. The first week is totally about getting to know that dramatic range of characters who is working at all day every day all year. For some odd reason, the often males have decided to sit in the front row right up in my face. Normally where the cool kids say, reserved for shit talking it the most comfortable and the cuts were real conversations and 11 top takes place. Later i would figure out that the leader of this alpha male crew has a crush on me, hence the front row spot by positioning. They call themselves the bosses. Not because they smiled but because they have stank attitude is always getting on minors. They are fly boys, spies one can be in jail. New sneakers as they sure wouldnt be caught dead eating pumpkin seeds. They think this jailhouse vocals are heard. They get time at a rate to their bases and clearly have ranked in power back in their housing area. They walk like kings with an air of confidence and subtle intimidation and a constant flow of salutation and fist pumps and handshakes like little hoodlums. Me and my crew back in high school we were the shit, too. Knowing the pecking order in this place is important. Whos the og, whose adult, knowing whose blood, his his blood, his crib in hua hsu is critical information to stay ahead of potential explosions might arrive. Most important is having peripheral vision which is essential for classroom management. The bosses in the same seat every same seat every day, immediately declaring their territory. They claim the front row seat on the lefthand side next to the door in the window that looks out into the hallway. Guys who were on their team which include their dummies that close behind them. The guys who saved themselves set in the far back row. Those are generally up for grabs since no one has a strong hold on that section. The harlem crew has claimed or back row seats to the far right next to the filthy windows that face another at the jails brick wall. Nothing to see except that the dissenters mattered on the window. On the board i write students will be able to discuss the eye of the malcolm x and compare and contrast his evolution into their own. Then i write, do now. Write a five paragraph essay reflect upon and answering the following questions. What is your government name . Name your mother gave you . Were you in the street, your nickname and why. Who are you in jail come your jailhouse nickname and why. Finally, look into the future. What type of man you see yourselves evolving into. Who knows the five names of malcolm x. What are you talking about . One of my more attentive but hyperactive students lurks out then he had a name he was called when malcolm x was a hustler. Yeah, niggas he did time in prison. The leader interjects looking for approval. Watch that word, no niggas, but he did do time in prison and when he was in prison he was called something else. Then he would change it again to something else. So malcolm x had five names. What was his first name . What was discovered that legal name . What did his mama named him i asked challenging them. I should know this seaside. Spike lee plays malcolm and i my head to the side to correct himself, after a moment, i dont know. Tyrone gives that. I felt the suspense long enough. So i tell them, he was born malcolm little and i read the first name on the board. Okay, when he was getting paper, what was the street name he went by i continue . Sentiment about the macs had a dark path industry. He asks, he sold drugs for real. He did a little bit of everything. Gambling, hustling, he was in this tree, just like you. While this is hustler name i asked again. Looking at shrugging shoulders, tried to give him a little help. Part of his name describe the color of his hair and the other part was the name of the city where he was proud. Harland yelled tyrone confident that he was right. The two highlights in the back of the class. Our love got the most niches from across the room. He shoots back, not as many as proclaimed by meets mitch land. I dont give a fuck about brooklyn because i am from brooklyn. Knowing his comment would get a rise from his buddy tyrone is clearly from brooklyn. Watch your mouth, son. Falling right into the trap by any means necessary. But kai, another one of the boston to sit near tyrone chuckles like a muppet. I have to make this shit in the bud. Being called a snitch is a dense, like the mob calling you a rat. They immediately reengaged tyrone. Malcolm did eventually wind did eventually find a pass on an island, but he was not originally from harlem. Tyrone shakes his head in defeat. He was detoured red for his reddish brown hair. I wouldve never guessed that. Well, now you know. That is how you learn i reassure him. True, true. It seems to corral most of the class. Loves black history and make sure to let me know. I like learning shit like this he said on the sheet of paper. He nods his head and shoot me a friendly slightly flirty smile. While this and he is porcelain white teeth that shine like brandnew piano keys. Hes determined to be a disruption and pain in my ass and the bane of my existence. He is back at his feet. Please take your seat i politely asked. Ms. P. , i dont care about no malcolm x. What did he ever do for me . Fuck that nigga. I want to slap the taste out of his mouth for disrespect my hero. This raggedy pipsqueak, this ignorant Little Chicken bone twerp is throwing dirt on my sacred gladiator of lack of a whose life was spent to remember our greatness . Watch your mouth. Dont you dare disrespect to malcolm x like that. As a matter of fact, youve got to go. Im not dealing with you today. Was my lot arm outstretched i gestured to the door for him to get out. While im in the hallway miss pete told me i could take a walk and it will be more on you than me, you heard he quipped into a slightly crooked candy corn colored kid. Hes not a bad looking kid he just needs to see the dentist and the wizard for a new attitude. [applause] so i guess you want to have a quick conversation, open the floor. Anyway, i want to say i really enjoyed the book. Having been in prison, i never thought about somebody having another day of it for one, it was so funny in terms of the horror of confinement. Anyway, could you talk a little bit about how you got to this place, the work you are doing. I know a lot of the performance artist in that sort of thing, kind of expand on that and how you actually, you know, develop the documentation. So, my source introduction to Rikers Island was in 97 in 98, so about 18 years ago. I was hired as a teaching artist to do poetry workshops for the adolescents and it was my First Time Ever breakers, my first time in jail, my first introduction to what we now refer to as massacres duration. And i was supposed to do three weeks and then the Nonprofit Organization i worked for sent me to another school where i do another rotation and all the teachers at Rikers Island kept requesting me, so i wound up being a poet of r