Finding My Voice 1: What's good in the hood?

You may be wondering, Who is this B FRESH girl? and What will she be covering? Let me start with a few basics: First, the most crucial factor in my reporting with Rock the Vote is that I will cover issues, people, organizations, movements and perspectives that other journalists may be afraid to call out and dive into. They must be preoccupied by the glitz and glamour of the shiny, sexy stories. Don’t get me wrong, I sometimes enjoy a glamorously sexy story but I will not be sidetracked by the bling.

Second, I am passionate about talking to YOU, following YOU around and learning YOUR story- the real story. Third, I recognize the power of our generation to sway elections, alter perceptions, shift paradigms, and put an eraser to the negativity that we have endured. We can make a difference, and demand our voices be heard.

I want you to join in and demand that media no longer demonize, criminalize and misrepresent youth. Whether it be talking with your friends about issues that your community faces and how you can create change, joining in at a local rally, or simply sending a text message to a friend to let them know what the deal is, stay active and engaged.

I will thoughtfully examine heavily covered issues such as police brutality and gang violence, but not in the way you might expect. Looking back, I have lived all of my life in the city, love the hood that has nurtured me, and respect the people I have had the privilege to learn from.

I am witness to the deception game the media has played and want to share a slice of the gritty and beautiful truth through my pen and lens. When I bring you stories about police brutality and they will be through the eyes of those who live within the aftershock of Monday’s year-to-date murder statistic headline, daily.
I will report about how youth are responding, and what is being done in our communities to address the root causes. When I highlight the lives of young people in gangs who may be hangin’ on the corner sellin’ dope, I will explore dreams, aspirations, and the systematic and institutional sources of injustice, racism, sexism, classism etc.

I look forward to covering the hottest shows and sharing interviews with local and national celebrities on the issues young people care about. I will be reporting live from the 2008 National Hop Hop Political Convention, the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, as well as other fresh events. I am excited to share with you exclusive photos and video that will shine a ray of positivity on this drab parade.

So, I leave you with a few questions to ponder: Do you want to hear about what soldiers are doing after returning from overseas, about the dopest youth organizations making things happen, and politicians that really care about what you have to say? Then stay tuned, and keep an eye out for my convention music videos...