Y U Gotta Call It Ghetto?

Praise for the book

“The spirit of the young people of EOYDC is felt deeply on the pages of this book of poetry. Y U Gotta Call It Ghetto? is the testimony of the life that is theirs now, their longing for what they know it should be, and their conviction that they will not be trapped by circumstances they did not create. I’m very proud of these young people and the honesty they express on these pages—some profound and hopeful; others basic and raw, but never defeated. This book is an example of the opportunity for good that is just waiting to be cultivated in our young. And it should get the attention of us all.”
-Pam Moore, Anchor, KRON 4

“Flip to any page of Y U Gotta Call It Ghetto? and you will find the beautiful juxtaposition between the comforts of familiarity and the abrasive allegories of urban life as seen through the lenses of forgiving youth who strive to make peace with the world around them. Y U Gotta Call It Ghetto? unapologetically drops the reader on the corner of 82nd & International, delivering rich snapshots of the complexities of human experience. This anthology calls forth a profound respect for the savvy of these natural leaders who’ve inherited the ability to articulate, navigate, and leverage their circumstances for greatness.”
-Ryan Nicole Peters, Executive Director, Youth Movement Records/Artist/EOYDC Alumna

“Everyone knows that we love our youth! We applaud EOYDC participants for courageously sharing their life experiences in this book. Through their poetic journey, we see hope and the elevation of human possibility. Thanks LeConté Dill for making room for their voices to be heard. Your vision and depth amaze us.”
-Regina G. Jackson, Executive Director, East Oakland Youth Development Center

“The voices and imagery in these poems are searing and vivid. Using words and phrases that are often spare and raw, what emerges is a multi-dimensional portrait of what it is like to grow up Black or Latino in tough East Oakland neighborhoods. These young people collectively offer a powerful vision of what it is like to live with despair and the possibility of violence. It is at times sad and ugly. But even in the darkness, there is illumination—the radiance and resilience of these young people shine through. Listen to their voices and learn.”
-Ron Claiborne, Correspondent, ABC News

“This is a powerful anthology of poetry from our children who live on the front lines of virtually war-torn neighborhoods. These are poems of stunning and intelligent clarity of place, time, and the people who populate the world in which these poets struggle to overcome fear, to survive their violent environment, and yet still dream and hope for a better world for themselves and their community. The poetry is resplendent with an honesty, depth, and faith that can only come from the innocence and hopefulness of youth. Read Y U Gotta Call It Ghetto? and see the real people behind the media’s negative images that portray “at-risk” youth not as victims, but rather as complacent, complicit, and undeserving of our most immediate attention, love and support. The next time you hear about “grief counselors” being sent to suburban schools, you will be reminded of these poems, these children who live with violence daily, and the inequities of our society.”
-Blanche Richardson, Co-Owner, Marcus Book Stores

“These words are from the eyes of our youth—there is a real plea from these youth as they look into their City of Oakland and their way of navigating movements. The circles become smaller with the level of violence and destructive activity from their peers and local law enforcement. These youth have found an outlet to express their world. There are amazing youth in “Tha Town,” if they can achieve and survive in this time, then they will be able to negotiate many of the obstacles that life will bring. These youth…these words are part of a healing solution and journey.”
-Keith “K-Dub” Williams, Former Co-Director, Visual Art Academy at Oakland High School/Youth Art Activist/Creator of Tha Hood Games