Congratulations to 1Hood Media Teaching Artist Shyheim Banks for bringing home an Emmy! Banks received recognition from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Awards in the ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT-NEWS (SINGLE STORY) category. The winning entry, entitled “Don’t Clip Our Tails,’ A Pittsburgh Poet’s Reflection on Racial Justice,” was a collaborative effort between Banks, Public Source, and Ryan Loew, Videographer/Editor.
On September 25, 2021, 1Hood Media held a watch party with supporters to celebrate Banks and two other nominations that shined the spotlight on the organization. Other nominations included SOCIETAL CONCERNS – SHORT FORM CONTENT (SINGLE STORY)“Antwon Celebration II”- Ya Momz House, Inc.
Emmai Alaquiva, Director and “1HOOD Media – Louisville For Breonna”- Ya Momz House, Inc, Emmai Alaquiva, Director.
Initially, Banks was asked to recite a poem at the first Pittsburgh protest in response to the police killing of George Floyd. At the time, Banks did not have a piece that he believed would truly capture the dark moment in history. So he did what he felt was needed; he sat down and wrote one. His best friend’s mother inspired the poem when she said “don’t clip our tails.” The statement later became the title.
It is a great honor to be recognized for your work and an even more incredible honor to win an Emmy.
Shyheim banks
Recently, 1 Hood Media held an Emmy watch party to celebrate nominations that spotlight 1 Hood Media. In the ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT-NEWS (SINGLE STORY) category, “Don’t Clip Our Tails,’ A Pittsburgh Poet’s Reflection on Racial Justice”-Public Source, Shyheim Banks, Writer/Artist, and Ryan Loew, Videographer/Editor won the Emmy.
Don’t Clip Our Tails
I had a conversation
With a member of a nation
Who seems to be lacking in patience
She would like to see black people live
As much as me
But couldn’t seem to see
Where telling a young black boy to put his hoodie down when asked could come off as invasive
I know you’re all wondering,
Yes,
She was Caucasian
To which I replied,
“Why,
Are you not telling them to stop shooting at the stations?”
See this is too often the occasion,
I asked her to tell me how
We deserve criminalization
For wearing a fucking hoodie
When they come to us guns blazing
See that’s where I think we’ve been failed
It’s to a point where
even our white allies think we’re the problem
So they offer help by clipping our tails
If you were thrown in a cell
By someone who does NOT wish you well
Would you respond well
To being advised to “just not go to jail” ?
C’mon bro,
What the hell ?
If you’re so “not racist”
Then why is your idea of help
To tell black people
How to better operate in white spaces ?
I told her simply,
Don’t clip our tails
To which she replied,
“What does that mean”
Well..
I know you mean well,
But it’s counterproductive
To use your voice to inspire compliance
Within a system where your voice could be destructive
Martin Luther King said it best
You become a stumbling block
In the stride toward freedom
When you’re more devoted to order
Than to justice
Don’t clip our tails
That means simply,
If you’re going to stand WITH me,
Give me the space to speak out
Against all odds stacked against me
Don’t clip our tails
Don’t treat me like my culture is a waste
Because we take up room
Where you failed to make space
Let me wear my blackness with grace,
With dreadlocks,
Afros,
An Unshaved face,
And Tell Fox News
That’s the beauty in blackness,
Not the disgrace
Don’t clip our tails,
There should be enough room for me to exist as is,
I shouldn’t have to humble my joy,
Nor silence my kids,
Nor turn down my music,
Nor straighten my wig
When concerning my freedom,
My life shouldn’t be the first bid
Don’t clip our tails
Black people shouldn’t have to shrink
In fear of what white America will think
When regarding my place in society,
Your first thought shouldn’t be the clink
If you see me out for a jog,
Knowing the road I had to take,
You should offer me a drink
Don’t clip our tails
I should be able to stand tall
In ALL of my blackness
Baggage and all
Banks states that he technically is a songwriter and not a poet. His songs are inspired by his motivation to make sense of his emotions.
To have an Emmy at such a young age feels legendary! It feels like I’m ahead of the curve. It’s an honor to be only 25 years old with my first Emmy. I’m now even more excited about the future.
Shyheim banks
The awards were presented on September 25, 2021. Click here to check out the ceremony in its entirety.