Jimmy Santiago Baca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Santiago Baca
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Baca during the videotaping of Add-Verse, 2004
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| Born | January 2, 1952 Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Notable works | Martin and Meditations on the South Valley |
| Notable awards | American Book Award, Pushcart Prize, International Hispanic Heritage Award, International Award. |
| Spouse | Married |
Jimmy Santiago Baca (born January 2, 1952) is an American poet, writer, and screenwriter. He is from New Mexico and is known for his powerful stories and poems. His work often shares his life experiences and challenges.
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Early Life and Learning
Jimmy Santiago Baca was born in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, in 1952. When he was very young, his parents left him. He lived with his grandmother for a few years. Later, he was placed in an orphanage.
At 13, he ran away and lived on the streets. When he was 21, he faced legal trouble and was sent to prison. He spent five years there. During this time, Jimmy Baca decided to change his life.
Discovering Reading and Writing
While in prison, Jimmy Baca taught himself to read and write. He found a love for books and literature. He started writing his own poems. He even sold his poems to other inmates for cigarettes.
A fellow inmate encouraged him to send his poems to a magazine called Mother Jones. The editor, Denise Levertov, liked his poems. She printed them and started writing letters to him. She also helped him find a publisher for his first book. This was a big step in his journey as a writer.
A Career in Writing
Jimmy Baca's first major collection of poems was Immigrants in Our Own Land. It was published in 1979. This book included a famous poem called "I Am Offering This Poem."
In 1987, he wrote a long poem called Martin & Meditations on the South Valley. This work won the American Book Award for poetry. It also earned him the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature in 1989. These awards brought him international recognition.
Helping Others Through Writing
In 2004, Jimmy Baca started a non-profit group called Cedar Tree, Inc. This organization helps people learn to write. It offers workshops for young people and those who have been in prison. Cedar Tree, Inc. also makes documentary films. These films share important stories and lessons. The group even hires former inmates as interns.
Published Works
Jimmy Baca has written many books of poetry. Some of his poetry collections include:
- C-Train and Thirteen Mexicans: Dream Boy's Story (2002)
- Healing Earthquakes (2001)
- Set This Book on Fire (1999)
- In the Way of the Sun (1997)
- Black Mesa Poems (1995)
- Poems Taken from My Yard (1986)
- What's Happening (1982)
He also wrote a memoir called A Place to Stand (2001). A memoir is a true story about a part of someone's life. This book tells about his difficult youth and how writing changed his life.
Baca has also written other types of works:
- A collection of stories and essays: Working in the Dark: Reflections of a Poet of the Barrio (1992)
- A play: Los tres hijos de Julia (1991)
- A screenplay for a movie: Blood In Blood Out (1993)
- A novel: A Glass of Water (2009)
- An essay: "The Face" (2013)
Other Media
Jimmy Santiago Baca wrote the screenplay for the Hollywood movie Blood In Blood Out. He also appeared in the film as an actor. He was one of the movie's producers too.
In 2014, a film based on his memoir A Place to Stand was released. This movie was directed by Daniel Glick. The creators of the film also made a special school program. This program uses Baca's life story to teach important lessons.
In 2003, Jimmy Baca was featured on an episode of Def Poetry Jam. This TV show showcased spoken word poetry.
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Santiago Baca para niños
- List of Mexican American writers
- Baca family of New Mexico
