Pat's Justice

Pat's Justice is a name I developed when I was fifteen, when my Uncle Patrick passed away He had kids, a wife, things he wanted to accomplish in life, and I consider myself (along with my family) as his justice, the person (and people) to carry on his legacy. The first piece I ever wrote was the night before his funeral, and it was just a really honest piece I did in his memory; I received a standing ovation at a funeral. I was locked up several times during high school, and during that time I read a lot of books and began writing poetry and music. I remember this article about the passing of John F. Kennedy, Jr. entitled "Prince Among Thieves." I read that article several times while incarcerated and then it donned on me: I was a PRINCE AMONGST THIEVES, plus I figured out PAT stood just for that, P-rince A-mongst T-hieves. I've been an outcast all my life; I know how it is to be alone, which has only made me stronger. So when I started using my voice, I found people listened and agreed with me. I articulated the feelings of young Black and Brown people in ghettos all across America. I don't feel I speak for them, I feel they speak through me. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California (AKA "One Level Above Hell"), where life threw me ups and downs, smiles and frowns. you know the rest. I sum it all up as a "beautiful struggle" and found that after all the hardship I encountered, I became more responsible and focused because I knew I didn't want to struggle anymore, I didn't want my family and friends to struggle anymore. I am proud to say I am a product of my environment. So with this realization, I became active in community organizing and made a change in my life because I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem. I now sit on the California State Advisory Board, where I'll help decide where funds related to the juvenile justice system are allocated. My overall goal is to combine my art with community activism; I like to call myself an "Artivist." At the end of the day, I want to live forever or die trying. Thank you to my family and friends that showed me TLC. I love you.



P.S. Don't Cry 4 Me.