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C*LTURE: In My Blood it Runs



Dujuan Hoosan, a 10 year old Arrernte Aboriginal boy growing up in Alice Springs, Australia. A good hunter, fluent in three languages, his intelligence clearly shines through. However Dujuan is 'failing' in school, with growing scrutiny from the police and welfare.


Made in close collaboration with Dujuan and his family, it follows him as he dreams, shares his truths and navigates through the inequality of the education system.


Directed and produced by Maya Newell in collaboration with a long line of First Nations initiatives, organisations and filmmakers.

?UESTIONS: and Words

Brooklyn Born MC Words aka Wordsworth, freestyle lyricist, MTV series producer and all round multi talented person talks to Culture is Free about his passion to mentor.


Like a true superhero, Wordsworth teaches TV, film, and music production to middle school students in Florida. Drawing on his experiences of being an artist and touring, he has adapted and created a curriculum to educate the next generation.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I was going to teach because my daughter’s grades were suffering because of the lack of adequate substitute teachers. Once I went to register, I was informed that I would be valuable in the district as a positive reflection for minorities, especially young black males. It took me less than 3 seconds to change my life’s direction. That was the biggest calling I’ve had, to help change the outlook of the youth.


How would your students describe your style? 

I think they would describe my style as balanced. I talk to them about how things will be beneficial to learn and why and then I’m able to relate to them on a pop culture level. Sometimes the fact that I know about what they’re into, it shows them that I care about what they may care about outside of school. You have to find those moments of bonding when you can.


What does it mean to you be a role model? 

I think it’s important to be a role model because there aren’t many active rappers that are teachers. The students can say to themselves that it’s okay to be cool and a teacher. They can understand a rapper has many layers to them. As a male role model, it’s extremely important to show that you have alternate routes and backup plans. Entertainment can be your dream from another angle. If not the athlete, be the coach, if not the singer, be the vocal teacher, if not the actor, write the script, find alternatives.


Which is more useful, intelligence or wisdom? 

They’re similar, in which being able to make decisions based on projections are very helpful. Many of us fell victim to that being young. You did bad in school because you didn’t see that it may affect a job later. Having these traits will assist in looking down the line, and not to be so caught up in moments of satisfaction, but continuous satisfaction.


How can we help nurture the next generation?

We can help nurture them by being in the classroom and giving them examples of alternatives. I can’t complain about the music or shows if I have the power to contribute and change things. Find your power that can alter something you dislike and provide the example. Inspiration changes generations, no one can read your mind, manifest your book of thoughts so they can read them in reality.

?UESTIONS: Abdur-Rahim Muhammad

President of the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. Abdur- Rahim Muhammad runs a non-profit Kung Fu school. Dedicated to local youth, the institute develops physical and emotional strength, building an ethical and moral base for the students who join. 


The school teaches free Kung Fu, Chinese Lion Dance, Chinese Thunder Drumming to schoolchildren during the summer as well as trips to historic locations. The institute runs an annual gala at the Historic Lincoln Theatre which has presented world-renowned artists –activist such as Dick Gregory, Rita Moreno, Spike Lee and Common. 

What makes you happy and thankful?

Whenever I remember my parents, who have both passed along with other relatives and friends with whom I've shared this journey, for an instant I feel a jolt of sharp pain and sadness. This is quickly removed by a strong feeling of joy and happiness and great love for knowing how grateful I am for having these relationships and knowing and loving them deeply. The pain is just a reminder of how strong the bond and connection and I hope and doubt it will ever subside. Simply what makes me happy and thankful is my journey and the people and relationships I’ve made long the way.


What message do you want to give others?

Regardless of your wealth or occupation compete only with yourself. Study the success and paths to great achievement of others but understand that you are unique as an individual, no duplication in the world or history so whatever comes out of you is authentic and original. Everyday strive to be the best you and the world will witness something wonderful, authentic and original.


Who or what gives you your superpower?

I admire many of the great men and women who came before me. Paul Robeson is one and Harriet Tubman is another. However, the person/power/entity that gives me the most strength to persevere seeking to achieve beyond my current situation is the person I speak to intimately many times each day.


This is during the time when I’m speaking to my inner self urging and prodding me to be better, stronger, smarter, more strategic, more compassionate and considerate. I attempt to pull from the great spirit and internal/eternal source of power which resides and empowers us all and I take that very seriously. Yet not in any magical or spooky sort of way.


What in nature inspires you?

The vastness, power and mysteries of our universe. We will have to increase our present knowledge and technical capabilities beyond our current imagination to become the planet species we’ll need for human survival. To know that brave men and women are already risking their lives in the area of deep space exploration is extremely inspiring. It demonstrates that the spirit and presence of the human species like our imagination cannot be contained. By our nature we are wanderers, explorers, seekers of truth and knowledge and most importantly survivors.



Tell us about yourself and your community project?

Exploration and investigation is key to describing my journey in life and the arts. From a young age I’ve looked at what I thought was attractive and interesting and tried to understand its form and function. I looked at Kung Fu and the art of lion and dragon dance and wanted to explore it at its source so I went to China. I went to Africa to explore the culture close up. Becoming a Muslim, I had to experience Mecca so I made Hajj. The things that I think are important in life I've always wanted to experience and not just read about. These traits moved Me towards a better understanding of the world and the plight of Black people especially those from my USA community of people descended from the institution of slavery.


Now everything I do is to further the upliftment of my community as we seek justice, not just legal justice or civil rights but economic justice in the form of reparations. I express this through art by projecting images, programs and messages that empower and enlighten children and youth especially Black children and youth. What we do is also inspiring for adults if they will listen and pay attention.


Our programs at HTCMLI range from free Out of School time programs for children and youth in traditional African and Chinese Cultural Arts to our STEMAC program which is STEM + Art + Culture. We also produce the Paul Robeson “Here I Stand Award” Gala which has featured in the past such luminaries as Harry Belafonte, Dick Gregory, DR. John Hope Franklin, Rita Moreno, Judith Jamison, Spike Lee, Common and Chuck D of Public Enemy.


We have published a book for young people: Dragonz Rizing: Reclaiming My Time While Wandering Through The Valley with “The Legend of Jow Lung” Vol I and Vol II, coming out this summer.  A book compiling all the Here I Stand interviews, including performances and beautiful photo’s will be available next year. 


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