Message to the Grass Roots: Bridging the Black-Chicano Gap through Art

An episode of Message to the Grass Roots, a cable access talk show produced & hosted by Michael Zinzun from 1988-1998 at Pasadena Community Access Corporation, which is now Pasadena Media . This program focuses on community art.

00:00Copy video clip URL Color bars. Opening sequence: “Michael Zinzun Message to the Grass Roots: Bridging the Black-Chicano Gap through Art.” Guests: David Martinez and Alex Zendejas, the creators of Urban Hidden Literature. He asks them to describe their art program, and give a history of its start. Zendejas talks about changing the way people think about graffiti art. David describes how he became involved with the program. They talk about the difference between tagging and graffiti art. They talk about galleries that exhibited their work. Images of their work. Zinzun speaks of the perception that there is conflict between black and chicano people. Martinez talks about educating communities about unity. They speak about police abuse. 

17:00Copy video clip URL Zinzun asks him to speak about the impact of their art. They speak about helping young people. Zendejas describes some of his art, and what it means to me. Martinez does the same. A caller calls in about his child’s interest in the art. Commercial break. Show returns and Martinez finishes speaking about his work. They talk about goals for the program. They speak about Martinez’s rapping career. Clip about the African Art Market. They both speak about their inspirations and how others can get involved. 

46:49Copy video clip URL A caller asks how much Martinez’s large mural would cost. He says that it would be $13,000. They speak about future endeavors. Zinzun wraps up the show. Credits. 

59:35Copy video clip URL Tape ends.