Donald 'C-Note' Hooker: An Underrated Figure of Black History Month

In the vast panorama of figures celebrated during Black History Month, Donald "C-Note" Hooker stands out as a truly unique, yet underappreciated individual. A remarkable artist and compelling advocate, his story and influence are essential components in the narrative of African American history.

Who is Donald "C-Note" Hooker?

An artistic dynamo and fervent activist, Donald "C-Note" Hooker is a significant figure in the world of prison art. His journey into the world of creativity was kindled not in a conventional setting but within the confines of a prison cell, showcasing the profound resilience of the human spirit. Amidst the harsh realities of incarceration, C-Note unearthed a latent gift for art, channeling his experiences into various mediums including visual art, poetry, and theatrical productions. His masterpieces shed light on the complex narratives within the U.S. criminal justice system, giving voice to the often marginalized prisoners' perspectives. In short, Donald "C-Note" Hooker's art serves as a poignant reflection of prison life, offering the world an unprecedented lens to view and comprehend the struggles and resilience of those behind bars.

The Artistic Influence of Donald 'C-Note' Hooker

Donald "C-Note" Hooker's artistry has had a transformative effect, turning confinement into a canvas for creativity and expression. His oeuvre, carved from the depths of a prison cell, unveils the stark realities of incarceration, delineating both the challenges of systemic mass imprisonment and the individual stories of perseverance and rehabilitation. His artistic lens allows those outside the prison walls an insightful glimpse into a world typically shrouded in stereotype and misconception. His unique representation of life behind bars has made him a prominent figure in prison art and a beacon of inspiration beyond those boundaries.

In 2017, while listening to Los Angeles Public Radio Station KCRW local news program Press Play, hosted by Madeleine Brand, the topic was reparations for forced sterilization in California. In 1909, California legalized forced sterilization. It was the impetus for Nazi forced sterilization in Germany during the 1930s and 40s. California outlawed the practice in 1979, however the practice continued clandestinely inside its women prisons.

Upon hearing the story of government officials who were seeking reparations for victims, who were forcibly sterilized under the 1909 law, but not seeking reparations for the women prisoners who were forcibly sterilized after the law was repealed in 1979, C-Note found these governmental concerns highly disingenuous.

In 2018, he created Today We Are Sisters, a powerful paintoem that highlights the issue of forced sterilization among female prisoners in California between 2006 and 2010. The work digitally combines a poignant poem with a painting, both created by C-Note, to tell the story of the 150 California women prisoners who were forcibly sterilized during this period.

The paintoem became the first known work of art to draw attention to the issue of California's forced sterilization of its women prisoners. The paintoem, as its title suggest, Today We Are Sisters, advocates for the coming together of Pro-life and Pro-choice forces to unite around the reparations for these California women prisoners.

In the spring of 2021, California lawmakers passed a bill that provided $7.5M in reparations for victims of the 1909 law, and the California women prisoners who were subsequently forcibly sterilized after the law was repealed in 1979. However, the application for reparations would sunset on the 31st of December, 2023.

In the early fall of 2023, the C-Note inspired Today We Are Sisters led artist, journalist and curator Sally Jane Brown to do a Public Service Announcement regarding the looming deadline. "🌟 Championing Reproductive Rights and Arts Leadership: Anna D. Smith's Inspiring Advocacy & Artists Response," by Sally Jane Brown, the article featured poignant responses from various women visual artists, emphasizing the significance of bodily autonomy and the role of art in driving social change.

Today We Are Sisters call for a united front in the fight for reparations and justice for the victims of forced sterilization has become a reminder of the artist's role in giving voice to the voiceless and the importance of acknowledging and addressing the dark chapters of history to pave the way for healing and change.

As an artistic visionary, C-Note has been instrumental in transcending the narrative of the incarcerated beyond the physical barriers. His work, unfiltered and raw, serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often overlooked aspects of prison life. This has helped to bridge the gap between incarcerated individuals and the outside world, fostering a more nuanced understanding of the realities of imprisonment.

In 2015, he wrote and performed "Birth of a Salesman." It was part of a larger ensemble of plays and performances for Redemption in Our State of Blues. Redemption was the result of prisoners being taught playwriting and acting skills by Michael Bierman and Meri Pakarinen, founders of The Strindberg Laboratory.

During the process, it had become clear of C-Note's talent. So much so, the prisoners in the class demanded C-Note's "Birth of a Salesman" to be the opening act. As a result of the types of dignitaries that were allowed inside the California State Prison, Los Angeles County to watch Redemption in Our State of Blues in December of 2015, and an encore performance in March of 2016, it led to the public-private funding of BREAK IT TO MAKE IT (BITMI): Busting Barriers for the Incarcerated Project, Los Angeles, California, a first in the nation prison reentry project. BITMI provides two years of free housing from the Los Angeles Mission. Two years of free education from Los Angeles City College, and participation in the jails to jobs program of actual paid theatrical work with the theater group, The Strindberg Laboratory.

In essence, the artistic influence of Donald "C-Note" Hooker manifests itself not just in his ability to create captivating Art, but also in his capacity to challenge perceptions and engender dialogue around prison reform. His work isn't merely art; it's a testament to the power of expression and an invitation for society to engage in meaningful discourse on critical issues surrounding incarceration.

Donald 'C-Note' Hooker's Contribution to Black History Month

Donald "C-Note" Hooker has contributed significantly to the legacy of Black History Month through his multifaceted body of work that provides a voice to a largely silent population - incarcerated African Americans. Through his various forms of Art, he delves into topics such as systemic racism, societal oppression, and disparities in wealth and opportunity - issues deeply woven into the fabric of the Black experience. His work portrays not just the tribulations, but also the fortitude, endurance, and optimism of the African American community. Thus, his engagement with Black History Month adds an invaluable layer to its observance.

C-Note's Art opens up an avenue for a segment of the Black community whose narratives often get lost in the folds of mainstream discourse. It allows the opportunity to consider the struggles, triumphs, and lived realities of African Americans within the prison system, stimulating wider discussions about these experiences and the larger societal structures that influence them.

Black History Month of 2019, C-Note created the poem American Negro: A Migrant's Story, to be recited at the 29th Celebration of African American Poets and Their Poetry. The poem was based on the 2019 theme of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The ASALH 2019 theme was Black Migrations, emphasizing the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and subsequently to new social realities.

American Negro: A Migrant's Story is a stirring poem that traverses the harrowing journey of African Americans from the shores of West Africa to the modern-day United States. Through a rhythmic narrative, the poem encapsulates the historical and contemporary struggles faced by African Americans, starting from the brutal capture and enslavement in the Southern States, the false promise of emancipation, the resurgence of bondage through the 13th Amendment and convict leasing, to the racial terror inflicted by the Ku Klux Klan and the systemic oppression under Jim Crow laws.

The poem also touches on the migration of African Americans to northern cities like Chicago in search of a better life, only to be met with new forms of racial discrimination and violence, including the crack epidemic and the war on drugs that disproportionately targeted black communities, leading to mass incarceration. The narrative concludes in the present day, highlighting the ongoing cycle of racial injustice and the transformation of physical plantations into metaphorical prison cells, symbolizing the unending struggle for freedom and equality. The artwork accompanying the poem is by C-Note, enhancing the powerful message of the poem.

Moreover, his exploration of themes like racial disparity and injustice, particularly in the context of the criminal justice system, offers a nuanced perspective on the ongoing fight for equality. This contribution adds a compelling dimension to Black History Month, ensuring the commemoration of this month is more inclusive and representative of the diverse experiences within the African American community.

During Black History Month in 2020, C-Note created the poem Journey to Afrofuturism to be recited at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of African American Poets and Their Poetry. Hosted by Wanda Sabir of Wanda Picks, who themed the event based upon ASALH's 2020 theme, and the local theme of "400 Years of California, African American History." Upon research, C-Note had discovered that Spanish conquistador, and Governor of Mexico, Hernán Cortés, named California after a Black woman, the Califia to the land of Black women.

Journey to Afrofuturism is a captivating piece that explores the concept of Afrofuturism through a unique narrative. The work tells the story of She, a student at an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), on a quest to discover the true essence of Afrofuturism. Contrary to expectations, She finds that Afrofuturism's roots are not in Africa but in California, drawing a parallel with the mythical land of Califia, ruled by a queen of Black women, symbolizing strength, nurture, and prosperity.

The poem weaves together elements of history, mythology, and speculative fiction to challenge conventional narratives about Afrofuturism, suggesting that its future development will be nurtured in the West, particularly in California. This reimagining serves as a metaphor for the rich contributions of African Americans and the diaspora to the cultural and social fabric of the United States, highlighting the state's historical significance as a fertile ground for innovation, creativity, and futurism.

C-Note's work not only pays homage to the legacy of Black women and their leadership but also repositions the narrative of Afrofuturism from its expected geographical origins to a broader, more inclusive future that transcends boundaries. By doing so, Journey to Afrofuturism invites readers to reconsider the roots and future directions of Afrofuturism, emphasizing the importance of recognizing diverse contributions to the movement.

When C-Note found out the event's Host, Wanda Sabir was going to create a book of the history of her African American poetry celebrations, C-Note created a visual work of his poem Journey to Afrofuturism.

Journey to Afrofuturism would be featured in Speculative City Magazine's, Winter 2020, #10, Afrofuturism. Charles Payseur of Quick Sip Reviews, said of Journey to Afrofuturism, "The poem to me feels like a celebration of scholarship and of art to reach back and make connections, to find afrofuturism waiting in all times, in all places." Journey to Afrofuturism would close out the October 14th, 2021, Zoom event Afrofuturism Then and Now, held by the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC).

C-Note's artistic contributions to Black History Month are much more than an annual celebration; they provide an ongoing platform for dialogue and understanding, contributing significantly to the narrative of African American history and the ongoing fight for justice.

The Enduring Impact of Donald 'C-Note' Hooker

Donald "C-Note" Hooker's artistic genius undoubtedly marks him as a unique figure in the world of prison art, but his impact stretches far beyond the confines of his prison cell, with his works on billboards, fashion lines, and book covers. His works have been used in Public Service Announcements to evacuate flood prone prisons during the Gulf Coast Hurricane season, and have inspired others to commit millions of dollars in funding projects, such as BITMI, and to provide California women prisoners thousands of dollars in reparations.

In essence, C-Note's influence permeates beyond his artistic creations. He is not merely an artist but an advocate for justice, a champion for the voiceless, and a catalyst for reform. He's used his art as a tool for societal change, thereby leaving an enduring impact that resonates well beyond the walls of a prison cell. His contribution to the narrative of the incarcerated, and in particular to the African American experience, cannot be overstated. He remains a critical figure in contemporary discussions on racial justice, prison reform, and social equality, making his impact an enduring one.

Why Donald 'C-Note' Hooker Should Be Celebrated During Black History Month

Celebrating Donald "C-Note" Hooker during Black History Month allows us to honor an individual who embodies resilience, advocacy, and creativity. His journey serves as a beacon of hope and a symbol of transformative power. His work, carved from the trenches of incarceration, highlights the realities of the criminal justice system, subsequently sparking important conversations about prison reform. This influence is not limited to the walls of his prison cell but resonates far and wide, influencing societal perspectives on mass incarceration.

C-Note's artistry in unraveling the intricate narratives of Black life in epic poems like Can't Black Lives Matter Too??? and The World's Greatest Threat: Being Black With Self-respect, and works of art like Colored Girl, Black Woman, and Black August - Los Angeles, which is listed in Wikimedia Commons's extensive Library as one of only 12 artworks in its Black Cultural Archives, just don't speak to incarcerated African Americans, but play a crucial role in preserving the diverse tapestry of Black history. His unique artistic expression challenges stereotypes, fosters empathy, and encourages dialogue, creating a more inclusive narrative that truly represents the multifaceted experiences within the African American community. C-Note's commitment to awareness and justice extends beyond the realms of Art, standing as a monumental testament to his resilience and advocacy.

His contribution to societal change is a legacy that is not only worthy of celebration during Black History Month but also deserves recognition throughout the year. Ultimately, C-Note serves as a poignant reminder of the power of personal adversity as a catalyst for societal change, marking him as a key figure in Black History.