Every Child is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ - Poet Piri Thomas uses creative expression to confront poverty, racism, violence and isolation.

Category:

• Documentary

[Northside1000block]

I'm of Cuban/Mexican decent and this man Piri, we all need to hear. Alot of my brothers are in the Feds and I wish they could see this. You can really see the soul of a people in his voice and words. We all can make a positive contrabution to the Latino hood. I'm tryin to stop all the bullshit, all this drugs everywhere is out of control. The Violence and shit. I have to start with me though. I don't want to try to tell anyone else shit and I'm not doing good. Shouts to Puerto Rico Mi Manos

[IAmGodToYouDirtyRats]

I live in NY and I read his book(down these mean streets) a couple of years ago. It's very inspirational.

You should also read "Always Running: la vida loca" by Luis J. Rodriguez. This 2 books are a must for ppl living in the barrios.

[BrooklynJEW7]

@kantfail I can respect that. To be honest, I didnt think his poetry was fantastic either. I do like what he represents though. Some people need an external motivation to get out of situations like this. 

[kruzlc]

Read Down These Mean Streets, many years ago. To see my son play Jose was a blessing.

[sombreroelof]

What is the background music at 00:40?

[kantfail]

ok I'm glad people are inspired but i didn't get it, the first half seemed like children's tv and I couldn't watch anymore. Maybe it's because I am white and above the poverty line but imho his poetry isn't great putting it mildly.

[edthewise]

Wow this is great stuff I discovered him in a Drama course I had to take once.

[maxeythecat]

I've been looking for this one!! I read "Down These Mean Streets" when I was ten years old, and despite being so young and far removed from the lifestyle he wrote about, it still touched me very deeply. I loved and admired his brutal honesty and his sense of hope despite the horrific experiences he'd gone thru and have always wondered why I could never find out more about him. Thanks to the computer age, now I have. Thank you.

[lulucelest24]

40:45 was my spanish teacher in NYC, Mr. ferreira, omG i'm so static!

[iggypot]

QUE VIVA PIRI!