Poetry. African-American Studies. Fusing the street and the academy, author Matthews has toured with her performance poetry troupe under the stage name "JaHipster," been selected as a member of the Washington, DC National Slam Team, and crowned Inaugural BlackWords Slam Champion. "With a poetic voice influenced by great masters-The Last Poets, Gil Scott Heron, Laini Mataka, et al-Matthews juxtaposes the historical conflict of an ideal America with episodic snapshots of contemporary culture. These poems are laced with irony and a satirical edge that forced me to laugh aloud, nod my head in complete agreement, and catch my breath . . ."-Linda Joy Burke, Black Issues Book Review.