Milwaukee’s Latino youth speak out in new music video, El Color De La Libertad | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mikal Floyd-Pruitt
June 23, 2018
Amidst divisive national debate over immigration and policies that separate families, the new student lead music video ​El Color D​ e La Libertad gives voice to Latino youth, providing a powerful perspective on freedom in the United States.
The product of a collaboration between Jazale’s Art Studio and Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School, El Color De La Libertad (The Co​lor of Freedom) combines the words of Latino 7th grade students with the talents of Milwaukee-based musicians MC(mikal), Klassik, Sista Strings, and filmmaker Wes Tank.
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Sparked by the 2016 presidential election, Lead Teacher Nora Justin worked closely with Lead Artist Mikal Floyd-Pruitt, who performs under the moniker MC(mikal), to shape an experience that would empower her classroom. Ms. Justin explains, “Prompted by the effect the political climate was having on Alexander Mitchell’s predominantly Latino Student body, I felt it was important to provide space for discussion and to teach my students that their words can be powerful tools of change.”
Using the​ song ​Letter to the Free by Common as inspiration, Ms. Justin encouraged her students to write about their relationship to the concept of freedom. Guided by MC(mikal), students recorded their most impactful statements over a reinterpreta​ tion of ​Letter to the Free produced by hip-hop artist Klassik. Inspired by these recording sessions, MC(mikal) contributed a verse to the song and enlisted Sista Strings to sing the chorus. Sound engineer Moses mastered the track, and the students gave it the title ​El Color De La Libertad.
MC(mikal) worked with filmmaker Wes Tank to develop a series of collaborative art making workshops that would also function as music video shoots. These workshops afforded students the opportunity to engage in visual art production, interact with a variety of professional artists and activists, and visit creative spaces around the city. The resulting music video is a beautiful reflection of this unique experience that highlights the students and their powerful message.
​To watch the video click HERE, search YouTube for the Jazale’s Art Studio channel, or use the following link https://youtu.be/JW-96qqFM3M
Support for ​El Color De La Libertad was generously provided by Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School and Arte Para Todos.
About Jazale’s Art Studio
Located in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood, Jazale’s Art Studio utilizes Resident Artists to offer enriching after-school and summer arts programming, educational support, and mentorship for children and young adults. Our residency program provides affordable space for professional artists to grow their practices, while our gallery space serves as a venue for other artists and organizations to produce a variety of cultural events.
About Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School
Mitchell is a large bilingual school with a small-school atmosphere. Our hardworking, dedicated staff uses the Common Core State Standards to provide all students comprehensive instruction that prepares them to succeed in college and careers. As a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) School of Merit, we work with all stakeholders to provide a safe, respectful learning environment which allows students to focus on being responsible learners. Our Community Learning Center (CLC) extends services to our Mitchell families beyond school hours and our partnership with City Year enhances both school-day and after-school programming. We are proud of our connections to our neighborhood!
About Arte Para Todos
APT is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organization that works to connect artists, musicians and the community in support of local school art programs.