THE ZINE
WHY THE NAME?
A Kite is prison parlance for letters and notes shared between inmates or loved ones on the outside. Originally, when prisoners on death row couldn’t speak to each other for fear of a guard overhearing, they tied folded notes to strings and slid them under the cell door. These messages looked like little kites flying from cell to cell. For decades now and across the entire nation, incarcerated people use this word, “Hey, man! You got that kite I sent?” Because stories are letters to the public we found this name befitting.
THE PUBLICATION
We publish both private and public zines. Because certain agencies will not allow students to consent, private zines are made for students and their families. Through storytelling, bonds that have been weakened by incarceration are strengthened.
Our public zine is currently being produced by our board members Travis and Cynthia, the creators of Maroon World.
MAROON:
From the Latin American Spanish word cimarrón: “feral animal, fugitive, runaway.”
African refugees who escaped from slavery in the Americas, and formed independent settlements.
To put ashore and abandon on a desolate island or coast by way of punishment or the like.
To place in an isolated and often dangerous position.
SUBMIT WORK
THE KITE ZINE
PO BOX 210325
Brooklyn. NY 11221
info@thekitezine.org
The latest edition…
In October 2019 we are releasing our 4th issue of the Kite at an open-mic in partnership with Fortune Society.