“We march in solidarity, we all are behind bars,” were the lyrics of a rap song that blared through a massive speaker on San Quentin’s Lower Yard. The song captured the voices and themes of SQ Project Avary’s 3rd Annual “March for the Next Generation.”
The June 22 event had inmate Philippe “Kells” Kelly and Eric McCanty of Project Avary rapping those powerful words in front of a host of prisoners and guests.
“Incarceration carries so much grief with it that it lasts throughout generations,” said Zach Whelan, Project Avary’s executive director. “That’s why it’s important to connect with the men here to help break that intergenerational cycle.”
Project Avary is a Bay Area organization dedicated to helping kids of incarcerated parents. This was the third year the organization partnered with San Quentin’s Kid CAT program, an incarcerated youth support group, to hold the event.
This year the march raised more than $1,500 from the men inside. A matching fund campaign for the walk received $24,000 from out-side donors. The donations will send 24 kids of incarcerated parents to summer camp.
“Everyone knows what happens to a person once they get arrested—they get put behind bars, but no one really knows what happens with the kids,” said Ziri R, 18, of Project Avary. “I was put in a foster home until I was adopted by my father’s sister.
“To this day his absence hurts me. I used to think I didn’t need him—that I’m better off without him. I realize that’s just me trying to pretend I don’t care. The truth is I always cared.”
Ziri talked about her experiences in elementary school and how her classmates would talk about their dads. She would watch them run and hug their dads picking them up from school.
“I overcame that pain and turned it into motivation,”
Cesar said he has an album coming out titled “Ridin’ Solo.”
Antwan Banks and Eric “Maserati E” Abercrombie, SQ residents, rocked the event with a medley of their original hip hop and rap songs. Their masterful lyrics and musical production gave the yard a true concert vibe.
“There was a force of energy that ignites you after experiencing this event,” said Mary Richards, an administrator for San Francisco Unified School District. “Being responsible for over a thousand students, you are always looking for the next best things to do.
“We have to give our teachers the opportunities and the tools to empower the kids who have an incarcerated parent,” Richards added.
The day ended with all the participants forming a large “healing circle” and in unison reciting, “With every step we walked, it’s a healing for our families. We are thankful for the future things coming.”
said Ziri, who is headed to Sacramento State University. “I hope you are proud of me, Dad; I know Mom is.”
More than 200 participants walked a lap of silence around the rocky dirt track to start the march. The festivities included prayers, speeches, poems and music that bought smiles and tears. Jonathan Rivas, KidCAT participant, shared his story about being a father in prison and his fear of the intergenerational effects for his daughter.
“I had to watch my daughter grow up through a county jail window,” said Rivas. “I feel that I have failed as a father; by coming to prison I lost that privilege. My older brothers, father and uncles have been to jail. I won’t say it’s hereditary, but I do see the cycle.
“I wanted to be different from my dad. He used to beat me. He would be angry and frustrated all the time. He never showed me love or com- passion.
“I just want to be different and teach my daughter how to be at peace. She deserves a great father,” Rivas added.
Consuelo R, spoke about raising children while the father is in prison, giving back and Project Avary.
“I think people need to see this [event],” said Consuelo. “As people of color, some- times we feel entitled not to give anything back. Coming here made me look at prison- ers in a different way. I will give back more.”
Consuelo thanked Project Avary for the program where her children can meet with other kids going through similar issues. Her son has a mentor to share things with, if not with her. Now her daughter has joined the program.
“I didn’t think having her father in jail would affect her as much as my son, but it has,” said Consuelo. “I’ve seen a change since she started the program: she has opened up more to me and she is more joyful.”
Consuelo left the men with these words.
“Everything you do doesn’t only affect you, it affects everyone connected to you. So please, go back and call your son, daughter or family member and tell them how much you love them, because trust me, they are waiting patiently for your 15-minute call.”
Throughout the speeches, various prisoners and guests participated. Fateen Jackson, who expects to parole soon, performed a spoken word piece titled “Revealed.”
“Losing all sense of self and scared to ask for help as if it was death itself.
I came to prison because I didn’t listen to my intuition.
That would’ve put me in a different position.
And a better condition that I currently live in,” Jackson’s poem concluded.
Cesar, an Avary participant, who goes by the rap name Solo, engaged the audience with his song “It’s a Cold Game.” Cesar’s catchy hook had the crowd repeat- ing it.
“There no friends in this cold game (uun),” he rapped.
Cesar said he has an album coming out titled “Ridin’ Solo.”
Antwan Banks and Eric “Maserati E” Abercrombie, SQ residents, rocked the event with a medley of their original hip hop and rap songs. Their masterful lyrics and musical production gave the yard a true concert vibe.
“There was a force of energy that ignites you after experiencing this event,” said Mary Richards, an administrator for San Francisco Unified School District. “Being responsible for over a thousand students, you are always looking for the next best things to do.
“We have to give our teachers the opportunities and the tools to empower the kids who have an incarcerated parent,” Richards added.
The day ended with all the participants forming a large “healing circle” and in unison reciting, “With every step we walked, it’s a healing for our families. We are thankful for the future things coming.”
