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What is Thousand Kites?
Thousand Kites is a national dialogue project addressing the
criminal justice system. By being involved with Kites you will become
part of a national movement to use the power of art to reform our
criminal justice system and to talk about human rights in the United
States. Using video, theater, radio, and the web as tools, you can
bring people together to support organizing efforts and share
experiences with the criminal justice system.
There are many ways to get involved. For
instance, you can hold a Kites film screening and panel discussion, or
use our play to start a good conversation around restorative justice.
Individuals and groups at the local, state, and national level are
finding Kites a powerful way to work for positive social change.
A Little History
What would you do if you learned human rights violations were occurring right in your own community?
In
1998, when Nick and Amelia were volunteer DJs at WMMT, a community
radio station in Whitesburg, KY, we received hundreds of letters
describing human rights violations in newly-opened local prisons. We
responded with an art project called "Holler to the Hood," addressing
human rights abuses in the U.S. criminal justice system.
One
of the first things we did was produce a radio program bringing the
voices of prisoners' families to the airwaves. Broadcasting stories and
messages from families and loved ones helped everyone understand who
was in our region's prisons. The show is now broadcast weekly (click
the button on the left to listen now). A special annual holiday
broadcast airs on more than 120 stations around the country. We also
brought hip-hop together with mountain music (hill-hop), organized
story circles, and produced cultural events inviting people to share
their experience with the criminal justice system.
Building
on these projects, we began working with other artists and community
activists around the country to create Thousand Kites. How can you get involved?
Getting involved with Thousand Kites is easy. Click here to learn how.
Peace,
Thousand Kites Team
Who I'd like to meet: Anyone affected by or interested in learning more about the U.S. criminal justice system. Poets, artists, painters, activists, church-folk, mothers, former prisoners, rural youth, community developers, hip-hop artists, traditional musicians, students, professional interns, radio volunteers, funders, horn players, educators, progressive criminal justice staff, prisoners, correction officers, and anyone else who wants to be involved in Thousand Kites and be part of launching a national project.
Many thanks for the friendship! We would be honored if you read and comment the new artist interviews on our profile!
SEX AND CONSPIRACY! Swedish punkrocker and painter Karl Backman talks about his art, and the reactions to it from right wing christians, pee fetish girls and conspiracy theorists.
MYTHOLOGIES AND LIFE! French graphic designer and writer Laurent Rivelaygue discuss nightmares and a road movie in bumper cars.
GRACE AND ELEGANCE! American artist Betsy Jones talks about geometric landscapes, happiness and the arts of the geisha.
We have a segment going on RIGHT now over at Tales where prison secrets of mistreatment are being let out. The writer has been taken to SHU, but this was planned on, thus the story will go on. Please come by, everyone, and leave your support. One from inside is stepping up to try and make a difference.
Grab the link when you get to the site and show your support! Would love to hear what you think of the new writer!
We will be posting a LOT of controversial stuff next week, that is going to possibly get Katfish taken to SHU (the hole), we really need as much support as possible to help see him through bringing a little truth out...
We all know Leonard Peltier isn't the only Native American in prison who suffers the injustice of this corrupt system.
Many of our people NEED your support too. Please do not allow these brothers to feel that they are just NOT IMPORTANT enough to be worthy of your signatures and support.
ALL our people deserve the same respect, the same help and the same support. They ALL suffer the same injustices, they ALL have families they can't see, they ALL have homes they can't go to, they have ALL lost their freedom, and if y'all think Leonard has suffered at the hands of the feds, you should hear some of the other brothers stories!
All I'm asking for is the same dignity for other Native people who need the same show of support. So please, please support ALL Native Inmates.
THIS IS TIMOTHY IN "THE RIDGE PRISON DOCUMENTARY" WE DID IN 2003 I WANT TO SPEAK ON YOUR RADIO SHOW ASAP ABOUT SOME ISSUES DO RECORD IT AND FORWARD ME A COPY AS I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN OTHER DOCUMENTARIES IN MY CITY INCLUDING FOOTAGE OF THE OBAMA HISTERIA OR HISTORY IN VA YOURSELF PRODUCTIONS IS NOW A BLESSED REALIYT SPEAK TO YOU ALL SOON 804 477-2856
