MEXICAN AMERICAN SPOKEN WORD ARTIST
OPEN LETTERS TO DONALD TRUMP
Open Letters to Donald Trump
Workshop by David A. Romero
​
​
AGES: 16+ GRAPHIC CONTENT: CONTAINS QUOTES FROM DONALD TRUMP. TRIGGER WARNING ADVISORY.
​
​
$600 (plus travel and lodging)
Schedule:
Multimedia presentation and poems - 60 minutes
Student writing time - 30 minutes
Student reading time - 20 minutes
Student discussion time - 10 minutes
Total time: 120 minutes (2 hrs)
Description:
The election of Donald Trump to the Office of the President of the United States left millions of Americans including, but not limited to, undocumented immigrants, Muslims, and members of the LGBT community, fearful for their lives and livelihoods.
David A. Romero presents his poem "Open Letter to Donald Trump" and launches into a multimedia presentation explaining the inherent anti-Latinx sentiment tied to Trump's border and immigration positions, as well as his promise to "Make America Great Again."
​
Romero then presents a list of quotes and policy positions of Donald Trump, asking students to find one that provokes them the most, using it as the spine for their own open letters.
​
The open letters are shared, and a discussion is held on personal and political forms of resistance in the Trump era.
Purpose:
Open Letters to Trump gives students a safe space to reflect on how Trump's presidency and how the "Trump effect" affects them, their friends, and their families. Sharing their voices and finding support, the workshop gives students an opportunity to strengthen bonds and find new allies.
CATEGORIES: POLITICS, CURRENT EVENTS, WRITING
​​​​
Open Letters to Donald Trump has been presented at:
ï‚· Washington State University
ï‚· Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota
ï‚· Cal State Monterey Bay
ï‚· Cal State Fullerton
ï‚· UC Riverside (x 2)
​
​
Article:
​
Read an article from The Daily Evergreen written on "Open Letters to Donald Trump" as presented at Washington State University below.
​
​
Flyers:
David A. Romero has not yet developed a flyer template for this workshop. If you decide to book Open Letters to Donald Trump, Romero can design a flyer for the event for no extra fee.
​
More:
Longer workshops, as well as multiple sessions, to culminate in a student “Slam,” (poetry competition) can be negotiated.
Professional-looking books and chapbooks to collect student work produced during workshops to be made available two months after workshops are conducted can also be negotiated.
*All workshops include a performance from David A. Romero.
**Workshop requires projector, projection screen, laptop connection, sound system and microphone (preferably cordless). Paper and writing utensils must be provided by students or host institution(s). A supply of tissues, snacks, pillows, and other items of comfort for students, is encouraged.
​
$600 (plus travel and lodging)
​
Travel and lodging can be handled in two ways: 1) the university makes the arrangements on Romero's behalf (preferred) or, 2) Romero makes the arrangements and is reimbursed with the total check.
For booking, contact: davidaromero@gmail.com
​
​
