Robert Velez Jr

Most Valuable Poet Presents (Vol I) Robert Velez Jr

More than ever, Poetry is to never remain silent. In this world of violence and injustice, poetry has to play an important role always with the ones who suffer. This is exactly what MVP does "to glorify God"-as he always states: he innovates; he speaks from the heart in defending the rights of life, peace and everyday awareness that inspires hope. We resist the oppression by unifying the shape of our streets in The Bronx (where his life started) from the neighborhood connivance to an impersonal tower to citizens and individuals whose minds are egoistic. These towers don't only represent an urban change, but also a new organization of our society in which a person or a family doesn't matter, especially if belongs to a Latino or African American culture. MVP-Most Valuable Poet Volume 1 is just the beginning of series of poems that inspires, and touch lives deeply. Poetry will never stay silent "and needs to be empowering as a weapon to infuse truth in honoring God with raps, arguments, reasons and, photos of what is happening to us. We are all been abducted by silence, however, poetry is a platform where we (the artists) are fearlessly genuine in telling our own stories in assuring that no one tells it for us". The streets are burning with tears. In 2015, more than 1300 people were killed by the police in an uncontrolled burst of violence more common of dictatorships. Poems have to say we are with victims against oppression; this spiral of violence embodies desensitization where people become heartless. We have to shout aloud in recognition that All Lives Matters This book depicts what is happening right now in the streets. It has been written by a man from a neighborhood where he has seen people fall and end up in prison or dead before their time (in front of his eyes). This book represents knowledge that promotes faith, reasons to stand up and resist, -but more so come together in changing the world through God's eyes where in Philippians chapter 4, verse 13 states: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We need poets & spoken words unify to combat war with love, peace, & prosperity". John Navidad, Publisher and Poet