According to the statistics, my existence represents an anomaly. I should not exist. If the grand designers from generations past had been able fulfill their vision for manifest destiny, I would not exist. And if you listen the message the media systematically force feeds us, you’d believe that those grand designers from generations past did in fact succeed. But I am writing this letter to remind my generation that they were not successful. I’m writing this letter to let others know, who have also managed to mute to the mass message the media has presented us; that it’s ok to step up and stand tall for what it is you represent. The truth.

According to the stats, as an African-American male I should have been reading at an 8th grade level my senior year of high school. It’s likely I would’ve been a dropout, I should have been arrested, likely incarcerated afterwards. According to the stats I shouldn’t have gone to college, and definitely not on an academic scholarship. And because of that, I should be unemployed, working manual labor, or on some type of welfare; definitely not working white collar jobs and owning stock in a company at age 21.

All of this is a reflection of a system currently in place designed to keep us distracted, brain-dead, and easy to manipulate. A system designed to keep us caught up in black vs white and gay vs straight; as opposed to right vs wrong. A system that attempts to mimic our culture while spreading its own message, in an effort to increase profit margins and influence, with little regard for the adverse effects this practice perpetuates. And the results of this have been catastrophic. 

As a country we’re falling behind academically. As a nation we continue to crusade across the globe claiming to be champions for human rights, as we simultaneously drive tanks and armored vehicles down our own streets, using them against our citizens; murdering and imprisoning them at a historically unprecedented rate. We produce and pollute at a rate which will eventually consume the earth’s resources multiple time over. Across the globe people either hate the USA, or even worse, they want to be just like us.Our parents, our generation, and the next have all been corrupted and poisoned by those who’ve risen to power via the un-willing consent of the masses.

But rather than blame the 1%, capitalism, and the media; I blame us. We have the power to stop this. Cliché, I know it. But it’s true.

For years we’ve allowed the powers that be to dictate what’s cool, what’s popular, what’s acceptable to say, think, and feel. They tell us selling hard drugs is cool, they hypersexualize our TV and music, make women feel inadequate if they dress too modestly, then call them thots, hoes and bitches when express their sexual confidence. Simultaneously they tell men it’s ok to have sex with multiple women at a time, and glorify those who do it while using those women for their own personal gain.They want us to idolize and emulate actors, artists, and criminals (and fail to highlight the luck needed to overcome slim odds or incredible work ethic required to be successful); while those who pursue academic and professional success are considered boring. They glorify violence, sex, and ignorance because its cheap to reproduce and easy to market. You don’t have to be very creative to entertain people using these concepts. And with the money and resources available to them, the powers that be have developed a complex and efficient system to spread their “uninspired” and poisonous message to the masses.

So what can be done about it?

Until recently I didn’t have an answer. When you realize how daunting and large the system is, it can be depressing, literally. But recently I had a dream, one I believe is very much in line with the dream Martin Luther King was working hard to fulfill. We’re not going to allow anyone to dictate to us what’s cool anymore. We’re not going to allow corporate America to buy our swag and our souls with the stroke of a single check, no matter how many commas or zeros it has in it. The onset of social media has given us, the people, more power than we’ve ever had before. Its given us the ability to communicate globally with each other instantaneously, its given us the ability to learn more than ever before, we have the power to bring the world’s attention to a single event or happening.

The millennial generation already represents nearly half of the workforce in the United States, and by the year 2025 we will represent well over more than half the workforce, and eventually buying power (ability to spend money) as well.This means we have a real chance to enact change. If we can take control of ourselves, and positively influence those around us, then we can collectively make a difference for ourselves and those who come after us.

Instead of waiting for the government or corporations to step up and do the right thing, we can do it. And in doing so encourage corporations and big business to follow suit. At the end of the day they need our money and attention to exist. And if we choose to only give our resources to those who helping the community and shame those who are working against the community, then the government and corporations will start to do positive work in the community. We can start our own charities and fundraisers to benefit causes that we deem worthy, instead of waiting for someone to donate. We can choose to promote media that doesn’t glorify violence and dangerous drugs. We have the power to vote and make informed political decisions.

Generations past have been left in the dark, and those select few with vision and knowledge were able to take advantage of that. But our generation is not in the dark. Access to technology and to one another have brought to light the truth. And it is up to us what we do with that knowledge.

Darkness can never overcome light, and hatred will never truly outlast love. My faith in these truths can never be shaken, and if deep down you have faith in this too then THERE IS HOPE that we can be successful. Each of us has been born with a specific set of skills and interests. Each of us have influence over those around us.  And it is up to us to use that the best of our ability to make a difference.

That’s why I’m using my love for music, film, and network marketing to start fundraisers, host events, and promote artists with a better message. All in an effort to give back to my community and spread this message to those who will listen. Join me in doing the same. Create your own message or share mine. Together we can make a difference!