1998-2000
While I had been living abroad, most of the images and storylines I received about American teenagers painted a pretty depressing picture; apathy at an all-time high, no sense of history or current events – overall, a disengaged generation. However, the first time I attended a youth spoken word event (a celebration in honor of MLK’s birthday) every one of those images was dispelled. I witnessed young people from all points on the teenage continuum – from ‘cool’ kids and hip-hop heads to poetry nerds and outcasts. The stage provided a safe place from which they could speak their minds, find their voice, and have both validated by a cheering and appreciative audience. At that moment, I saw that there was a larger story that needed to be told; if done right, it could help to raise up and celebrate these young, inspiring voices.