It's Kina Hard Da' Cry

Its Kina Hard to Cry is real, raw, and revolutionary. Its veins, sinew, and ink written by writers on the inside add depth and dimension to prison literature, a vastly underappreciated genre. Dr. Lea Lani Kinikini Chief Diversity Officer, Salt Lake Community College That the incarcerated are a large and growing population, intentionally sequestered and silenced by the joint state-corporate industrial complex, is all the more reason to seek such voices out and hear what they have to say. This collection gives numerous voices the exposure they deserve, to speak on why the prison industrial complex, based solely on coercion and domination, cannot be reformed but must be wholly transformed and abolished in the absolute. Nathan Poirier Director of Publicity, Institute for Critical Animal Studies Centering the voices of incarcerated individuals is essential to eliminate prisons and the school-to-prison pipeline. It’s Kina Hard Da Cry provides space for these voices, making this collection an essential read for anyone committed to the abolition of the carceral state, and the creation of more just and compassionate communities. Dr. Scott Hurley Associate Professor, Identity Studies Department, Luther College A heart-wrenching poetry book from people who are decrying their experience “decaying in PrisneyLand,” as one of its writers, Rusty Clark, says so powerfully. These poems give a glimpse into life on the inside: of broken family bonds, of children doing time on the outside, and agitating against the school-to-prison pipeline. For the novice, this is a book of raw stories from adults, who are as hurt as children, and share the violence of social death. Yet the system fails to break them. Dr. Mechthild Nagel Professor, Philosophy, SUNY, Cortland An amazing collection of writings and artwork. It’s Kina Hard Da’ Cry powerfully embraces the courage and spirit of its authors and doesn’t hold back in saying what needs to be said. Dr. Richard J. White Sheffield Hallam University, UK This powerful collection of voices educating us behind inhuman walls designed to create despair and hopelessness is a testament to the unyielding spirit of righteous defiance in the face of an unforgiving carceral culture. Dr. Peter McLaren author of Pedagogy of Insurrection This beautiful collection shows the human cost of the prison-industrial complex and is inspirational reading for everyone fighting against the racist mass imprisonment in capitalist societies. These writings are a powerful reminder that, while there is a soul in prison, none of us are free. Dr. Will Boisseau Director of Administration, Institute for Critical Animal Studies