How does your experience in the hip hop world influence your decision to work with youth?
Hip Hop is a very young culture; it began as a way to keep street gangs from ruining communities. It was an alternative to killing each other; instead of gun battles there were break and freestyle battles. Since the culture has grown mainstream it is now saturated with a lot of violent language and images; hence, influencing youth that it’s ok to be ignorant, violent and disrespectful to women. Hip Hop has the power to build or destroy; and it is global. So, why not use it for the intended purpose-love?
How did the murder of your former student, Nathasha Howlett, push you forward in working with youth?
Her death is an example of why we need to continue working with youth. It wasn’t her that was doing anything wrong; it was the environment she was part of. It is our responsibility to keep touching youth until we begin to see a difference.
Who is the biggest influence in your life?
My daughter is the biggest influence in my life. She is the reason I work so hard because I want her to know what it means to be ambitious and strong. She is the reason I wake every morning, to make sure she understands what it means to love life. She is the reason I am a classy and intuitive woman, because I don’t want her to think that it is cool to be anything less. She is the reason I strive for perfection, because I don’t want her to think it is ok to stop learning and growing. She is the reason I do what I do, because she is my everything and my greatest fear is to lead her wrong or to abandon her unintentionally.
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to be a great mother (grandmother, great-grandmother), orator/writer, activist and philanthropist. I would like the world to remember what it means to push forward and accomplish your dreams regardless of the obstacles. It’s ok to cry, but never allow yourself to be blinded by your tears.
Do you think you will continue with hip-hop or music in general in the future? Or have you “retired”?
I will continue to be creative in general, whether that’s writing short stories, poetry or music…creating is a part of my journey. I am retired from the generalization of what it means to be an emcee…I am retired from being locked in a box. This is just the beginning.
With your move to Dallas, what do you hope to accomplish there that you haven’t accomplished in Chicago?
I hope to accomplish putting everything that I’ve learned here in Chicago to work. I am certain that I will find my true voice and become the woman Allah intended me to be.
Are you going to work with youth in Dallas? If so, how?
I will most definitely work with youth in Dallas and wherever I go. I will need to see where there is a need for me. But I would like to hold workshops and do different things similar to YCA: hold youth concerts, build activist, and publish their works both written and audio.
How do you feel like you have influenced or impacted any of the youth you have worked with? Are you proud of your work?
Well, I’ve influenced my daughter the most. And for sure she is the clearest representation of how I my fair and non-judgmental approach can be a benefit on anyone’s life. I just think that young people need someone who is willing to listen without passing judgment. There are countless others-young mothers who have gone on to school and work; they keep in contact with me often. Young guys who have done the same, because they know in order to get a woman who is wife material, they must work hard and they must be respectful. I have been an example to other young people that you can do whatever you like, if you claim it, it shall be. I am very proud of them; so I guess I am proud of my contributions. I hope to do more.
Do you ever incorporate music when working with youth?
I incorporate writing in general-whatever the style. It could be poetry, short stories, music, screen plays…whatever. I teach using specific subjects, conversation and observation, then we report about it using different writing styles.
What is the main thing you make sure you tell the youth that you work with?
“Every step you take is a print on your fate.” What you do today, will affect your tomorrow. Make wise decisions, learn from others’ mistakes. Keep pushing regardless of how hard it gets…and be a leader, because it is so much easier to be a follower. Smile because it is easier to be mad…Challenge yourself and take on the hard jobs just because it will make you better…
Bernadette Levi is a 2010 GirlSpeak editor.
