Justin T. (J.T.) Hill is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), within the (UTD) Literature program. He holds a B.A. in Leadership Studies from Regent University, an M.L.S. (Human Rights & Social Justice, Global Studies) from Southern Methodist University (SMU), Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from Southern Methodist University, M.A. in Literature from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), and is a distinguished U.S. Army veteran (E-5). Hill teaches courses and conducts research in Freirean thought, Global South history, [B]lack radical politics, Cold War–era decolonial poetics, and critical literacy. Hill has presented at numerous conferences on topics ranging from Frantz Fanon and “Liberating Violence” to Fred Hampton and his socio-political connection to critical literacy. Hill’s scholarship and pedagogical approach earned him the 2020 Association of Graduate Liberal Studies – Student Presentation Award Winner; 2021 Dr. Roger N. and Adrienne T. Rosenberg Graduate Fellowship Award; and the 2022 Nomination for the UTD President’s Teaching Excellence Award; among others. Importantly, Hill is proud to hold five U.S. Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM) and five U.S. Army Achievement Medals (AAM), inter alia—within less than six years of dedicated service. It is Hill’s primary goal to conflate both theory and praxis in hopes of raising the banner of global literacy and justice for the national and international peripheralized.
poetry
Semi-Automatic Pencil
J. T. Hill, University of Texas at Dallas
This is my weapon.
Sharp and deadly when in the left hand
penetrating the right hand that steals
from the folks left out
I also have a No. 2.
When it penetrates a life, it can turn an oppressive face blue,
and orchestrate a [B]lack pain into a melodic tune.
This is my weapon—well, my No. 2.
I also have ammunition for my weapon
You can get it at the [a]cademy,
yet, this [a]cademy is devoid of sports and items for the outdoors—
This academy is for the revolutionary writer:
The one who trains and performs for those
outside without the security of
locked doors
This is my weapon
always locked and loaded
with 30 rounds of .PF & .bh.
That’s Paulo Freire and bell hooks
This plizzy is so literate and deadly,
it’s capable of making the glizzy shook.
For this weapon is a bold one,
it has never been shy.
It has been known to deal and serve a White Rose
to a [n]azi sky;
an instrument of a coming change
strong enough to make a Clarksdale Cook[e] cry:
And most importantly,
my weapon is that which indites
the indictment of those who want to abolish the sacred amendment:
A well-regulated writer, being necessary to the security of an emancipated people;
The right of the people to keep and bear pencils, shall not be infringed.
For literacy is the only way that the downtrodden can win.
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