On Tuesday I taught about the history of Sierra Leone, a small country in western Africa.  We covered pre-colonial advancements, the colonial area, independence and the consequential civil war.  Heavy stuff for anyone.  

In any case, we also looked at the rise of homegrown Hip-Hop out of Sierra Leone which is played 70% of the time on local airwaves.  My assignment for the students was to compose a rap, poem or song to the people of Sierra Leone.  Here is one sample of what came out of that:

“I am thinking about life,

How your dreams blend.  I know this ain’t heaven,

but it ain’t the end.  You gotta fight for what’s yours,

with a message to send.  With the power and knowledge from deep within.

I don’t know your pain, but I feel the stress.  

A dumped, place, no food.  You all feel under.  

This just the beginning it’s far from over, 

You need to put your hands up, 

And dust the blood off your shoulder.  

No more nights under the pain or skin gettin’ colder,

it’s like lost opportunities waitin’ to hold ya.

You feelin’ so lost, like where is the composer?

I told ya, Sierra Leone, keep your head high,

‘Cause I done seen better days lookin’ in the sky.

—-Chris, 9th Grade World History