STATEMENT

I grew up in the hip-hop culture. Rap was the word. Dress was creative. We were people with something to say and we made sure our voices were heard. The same can be said for those who paved the way allowing for my generation to express ourselves freely. The civil rights era was a time of significance for all people, especially people of color. It was a time when voices were uplifted. Liberty was claimed. And the oppressed demanded equality.

Poor people were living in rundown neighborhoods, working low wage jobs or unemployed, giving birth to children they couldn’t support who in turn received poor education; and so the cycle continued.

Today poor communities are still poor and struggling. The unemployed still need jobs. The hungry still need food. The homeless still need shelter. The struggles of yesteryears' communities of color may have secured our right to be counted and respected but it did not change the state of our communities. We must create these changes ourselves. But instead of staying on track it seems as though the movement has been compromised. The shimmer of material wealth distracts today's could-be-leaders. Leaders have been bought and followers sold.

So, I got to thinking - what would it be like if yesteryears' leaders concentrated on what today's could-be-leaders are concentrating on? Where would these communities be today if that were the case? And where will these communities be in the future?