POOR Magazine honors Al Robles, a poet and organizer who worked, taught and supported young and elder poets of color from all communities in the Bay Area and across the globe with the launching of The Al Robles Living Library Project and POOR Press Book Collection.
(San Francisco). POOR Magazine honors the late Al Robles with a gift of love for his work as a housing activist, poet, teacher, mentor, and historian. His bringing together of communities was a gift he shared with POOR Magazine, of which he was an active board member. This historic library launch will feature the POOR Press 2011 Book collection which features artists of color in poverty from across the globe and the movie “Manilatown is in The Heart—time Travel with Al Robles”, a film by Curtis Choy.
Al Robles love and spirit and vision continue to guide POOR Magazine’s values of eldership and interdependence--leaving a living legacy of care giving and revolutionary media that gives voice to communities traditionally and intentionally silenced in media and academia. “My Uncle Al’s legacy is the I-Hotel” said nephew and POOR Magazine co-editor Tony Robles. “He inspired a generation of activists to fight for the rights of elders to decent housing, bringing attention to the injustice and tragedy of the International Hotel and bringing communities together in the fight for social justice”.
Robles was instrumental in the rebuilding of Kearny Street’s International Hotel, home of Filipino and Chinese elders who were issued eviction notices to make way for a parking lot. The “I-Hotel” captured the attention of the world with images of elders holding signs and chanting, “We won’t go!” Robles narrated the film that captured the fight and eventual eviction entitled, “The Fall of the I-Hotel”.
In addition to the POOR Press collection, the Al Robles living library will feature a collection of books gathered over the years by Al Robles, as well as writings, photos, audio interviews and poetry that will be presented and preserved digitally. The library will be a community space open to all who want to read and write, relax and learn about the legacy of Al Robles, which is the legacy of sharing stories, sharing voices and community building. The library offer events such as readings, film screenings, writing workshops and feature artists and performers from throughout the community.