Inktober 14 - Raza

EDIT 2020 

New sticker with the phrase "RAZA" which means meany things to different people. Simply put, it means "The People", gente, your folks, your family, and for many people it means a mixture of races/peoples that make up one. People who come from Indigenous, African, and European blood-mixed together through conquest, slavery, and some many other factors. I first heard the term "La Raza" from MC Kid Frost from LA, then from my Chican@ studies teacher Maestra Luna in high school. Often in protests or you'll see the term because this is a group of people who both know their whole identity and have had it erased. Some people call themselves Indigenous, Hispanic, Latino/a, Spanish, or Latinx. Whatever term you use just know the story behind it.

José Vasconcelos came up with this term in 1925 in his piece "La Raza Cosmica". What I wrote below is not actually correct. But I keep it on here because...growth.

Raza. Simply or more complexly meaning "the race". The human race? Not really. More like the race of Latinos, the mixture, pride, love, and history all in one. I don't know the root of the word and where it came from but I remember the first, second and most recent time I heard it. The first was from an MC known as Frost from L.A. (I grew up in Northern Cali-hanging mostly w/ African American kids until jr. high and high school) The second was from a beautiful teacher that I had a crush on in high school named "Ms Luna" who described it with a smile. Mot recently I heard it in the lyrics of Bay Area MC Deuce Eclipse in the song "Que Pasa?" Can you remember the first time you heard this term? I know its more of a west coast thing, but I'd call myself Raza any day over "Spanish". I might have some traces in my blood but I am not Spanish.

Want a sticker of this? LINK

Inktober 13 - Mestizo

Mestizo is a word that was created to describe the mixture of Native indigenous peoples from the Americas and the caribbean and Europeans. Most of the time this was done through rape figuratively and literally. Some people use the word to mean a mix between black and white, or dark and light skinned Latinos. I just take it to mean "mixed" because Latinxs come from African, Indigenous, and European roots and traditions; some more than others. But its all mixed in there.

Want this original drawing? $60 or Print? $20 (includes shipping)  
Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

Type musical 3-- No Justice Soundtrack

Handstyles 8-Tupac Amaru

Great words from a great man. "Words of wisdom" was the first time I really heard Pac. 

Dig this? Check out these words from Stic Man (Dead Prez)

What is this? Handstyles! For as long as I've been drawing I've been practicing lettering. First i. the form of Graffiti, then calligraphy, graphic design, kerning, type setting, sign painting, and so many other forms. I'm not a designer or a lettering specialist, but I can hand write a few different styles and enjoy hand lettering when it's done right.

Hyphen magazine "Yuri Kochiyama" lettering

Hey, peep the latest issue of Hyphen magazine. There are various articles in the magazine about Revolution, Grace Lee Boggs, Yuri Kochiyama, People's Kitchen, and more. I had a chance to do some hand lettering for a piece using a quote from Yuri. Support this magazine by getting one for your coffee table, classroom, or office because there ain't too many magazines that focus on Asian American life, culture, and history like this one.

To get your copy of the latest magazine GO HERE

Dig this? Check out these illustrations for Chapter 510

Colorlines "Morning Rush" lettering

Just finished this hand lettered type for Colorlines magazine. This is a great honor since I read the magazine and subscribe to it on many social networks. They are always on top of so many issues I want to know about involving education, media, law, activism, entertainment, etc and they have a keen eye for giving light to stories about people of color that many news outlets ignore until there is a national movement or protest in favor of it. Morning Rush is a place where you can find weekly articles that the their editorial team are reading and will most likely cover. Check them out. Thank you Colorlines! Shout out to my Art Director on this, designer Erin Zipper.

Morning Rush: READ HERE

Handstyles 4- Study hard

My grandma Kumog said this to me every time I would see her in a very heavy accent. Study harddd!

What is this? Handstyles! For as long as I've been drawing I've been practicing lettering. First i. the form of Graffiti, then calligraphy, graphic design, kerning, type setting, sign painting, and so many other forms. I'm not a designer or a lettering specialist, but I can hand write a few different styles and enjoy hand lettering when it's done right.

Dig this? Check out these letters for Hyphen or Colorlines magazine

Quotes 2- Stic Man (Endurance)

 

In case you never heard this track here it is "Runner's High". Revamping an old idea, just quotes. No rhyme or reason, with photo or without, just practicing hand styles. Meaning that these are written by hand, not font. Photo credit: I was unable to find the photographer who shot this, so if this is your photo please contact me so I can credit you.

What is this? Handstyles! For as long as I've been drawing I've been practicing lettering. First i. the form of Graffiti, then calligraphy, graphic design, kerning, type setting, sign painting, and so many other forms. I'm not a designer or a lettering specialist, but I can hand write a few different styles and enjoy hand lettering when it's done right.

Dig this? Check out these lyrics by Tupac

Or these letters for Hyphen or Colorlines magazine

Check out this Zach de La Rocha quote 

Handstyles 3-Hands Off Syria!

If the U.S. Is getting involved, something is fishy, punto! Bombs do not equal liberation. Only Self determination with no US dollars funding sides and utter chaos. Here is a partial list of places where it is documented that the U.S. Disrupted, destroyed, or overthrew the governments (and many times democratic countries who refused to bow to US companies/corporations) and used the media to put forth an entirely contrary story:
Iran
Chile
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Iraq
Ghana
Democratic Repub of The congo
Angola
The Philippines
Libya
Cambodia
Vietnam
Brazil
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico

Oh you’re going in to save or free the people of Syria? Bullshit! Tell that lie to somebody else. And conversate with your friends,relatives, co-workers, let em know this beast called US Imperialism has left tracks and foot prints of destruction in many many places.

Dig this? Check out these letters for Hyphen or Colorlines magazine

Check out this Zach de La Rocha quote 

Who is Cja? Designed by Swash Design

These are a few shots of a website designed by my lady who owns and runs the Swash Design Studio in Oakland. The Cja ("Climate Justice Alliance" )web site is for a group of environmental justice activists based in the Bay Area, who have connections and campaigns going on across the US. Environmental justice not only relates to green house gases, the soil, or solar panels. It has to do with people, where they live, and how corporations greatly affect their health. If you've ever sat to take a look at how major cities are laid out, where poor and wealthy live, and where industry is located you get an idea. Check out the shots from the site, the design and the hand written titles. If you need book layout, web, print, or branding design done you should contact Swash.
 
A few shots of the process as well.

Quotes 1

the world is yours