Award winning slam poet, Joaquin Zihuatanejo visited Salt Lake Community College’s Taylorsville Redwood Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to talk to high school students at the Latinos in Action conference.
Zihuatanejo’s 45 minute show spanned from his childhood stories to tales from his days as a teacher. Intermingled with poems written by him, Zihuatanejo spoke about self-expression and bettering one’s self through language.
“Days like these I feel like I’m planting seeds, not throwing stones,” says Zihuatanejo. “Even if my message only reaches a couple of them.”
Zihuatanejo also demonstrated his award winning talent as a slam poet. His talent shined as he performed a poem as a five year old version of himself, as he wrote a letter, and even using sign language along with spoken word.
Notable poems that Zihuatanejo performed were “Abuelo’s Garden,” “Poem for John” and “19 Mexicans.”
“Abuelo’s Garden” is a poem about Zihuatanejo’s childhood and how his grandfather raised him; teaching him life lessons in his garden. Zihuatanejo alluded his childhood was like growing chilies and herbs.
Zihuatanejo’s “Poem for John” is about a former student of his, who was unable to speak. Zihuatanejo assigned the task of writing four poems, and John wrote and performed them in sign language. This prompted Zihuatanejo to make the effort to learn his language, just as John had learned his.
The general themes of Zihuatanejo’s poems are hard work, endurance and the will to overcome the tasks and challenges that are presented to everyone.
His poem, “19 Mexicans” touched on the subject of 19 illegal immigrants that had been killed crossing the border and the only allusion to their identities in the newspaper was that of “19 Mexicans.” Zihuatanejo researched and found the names of the victims and wrote the poem honoring their names by speaking the names that he could find.
“It’s great to have him here, he’s really inspirational,” says Elizabeth Payan, president of the Latinos in Action club.
Zihuatanejo also made time for a Q&A, and students asked questions ranging from his favorite book and personal life to questions about his career.
Zihuatanejo attended the Latinos in Action conference to speak to high school students preparing to move ahead into college. The conference had workshops and panels to help students prepare for the change.
