Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Speaking Out. Taking Action!

I’m a millennial, also known as the social media generation, where our vernacular can be communicated in 140 characters or less. We’re considered confident, connected, and open to change. The Pew Research Center even states that we “embrace multiple modes of self-expression,” and to that I agree. The rise of reality television shows ruled not only my Saturday mornings but also my evening wind downs. I am one of many who contribute to the high ratings of reality TV and the media industry at large. But as I grow into a conscious young adult, I have become in awe and disgusted at the evolution of the media and the negative portrayal of our culture that influences people’s perception of who we are. What once use to be creative storylines that not only entertained but educated the mind has emerged into episodes, seasons and series of degrading and humiliating exploitation.

The portrayal of “real life” situations has become very unrealistic and I consider this to be a disturbance to our progression in thought of what’s truly reality. On last Monday evening, I was one of thousands who tuned into the VH1 reality show, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. I was drawn to the show because Atlanta, GA is my home state. As a proud Georgia peach, I wanted to see if producers would finally get it right. Would they portray my city as the upcoming place to be where the all African American cast would be on the rise entrepreneurially and breaking out as top executives in the entertainment world? I sat down on my couch with preconceived doubts that this show would be like the many already aired on the network; loud, violent, ignorant, immature and self-centered people who would grace televisions all across the country with their unpleasant characteristics that are considered to be entertaining and watchable.

The hour long premiere of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta not only exploited the cast members but gave the music industry in Atlanta a bad look. In my opinion it lacked substance completely. I turned off my TV thinking “what were the producers trying to convey?” Another missed shot for VH1.

As a rising senior at Savannah State University, I meet thriving executives, professors, business men and women on campus all the time. These are the people who should be sought after to have television shows. To be a millennial, the next and rising generation, I wonder how many more shows like this will be created before we speak up, not only as African Americans but as women. Although this is a mechanism for making more money, how many more B and C class celebrities will we embrace before we call them out on their actions?

I was inspired to write my own article after reading Kelly Beaty’s post in blackenterprise. When will these shows stop being aired? Well, I might have the answer. When a collective group of people stand up, stop contributing to the high ratings by changing the channel and start advocating for quality shows. We need to raise the expectations for producers and creative writers and let our voices be heard that we no longer stand for reality shows that showcase varying levels of degradation and humiliation.

If you haven’t had the chance to view Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, tune in tonight, Monday June 25, 2012 at 8pm or 11pm. I refuse to look at another episode. If you feel the same way I do after watching it, take action. Write to your local affiliates and demand quality programming. Or visit change.org and sign the "Boycott VH1 (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Specifically): Stop Dealing Crack and Tell True Stories" petition. You may even share my post.  Like the inspiring quote from Mahatma Gandhi says, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” It starts with us. We can be the change. 

Boycott VH1 (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Specifically): Stop Dealing Digital Crack and Tell True Stories

 

Roadblock: Caution Ahead

Now that you have discovered your TICK and you are in full DRIVE, let's dive right into the next topic! 

Worth

[PAUSE] 

Take a moment to let the picture above settle in your mind. 

 

Now, think of a time in your life when you were presented with an obstacle. How hard was it to overcome this particular task? How did you feel once it was accomplished? The obstacle I overcame was trying to become acclimated to a new environment, like college, and achieving academic, social and professional success. It didn't happen overnight and at one point I had convinced myself that maybe college wasn't "my thing."

I ran across the picture above on one of my sisters Facebook page. I can imagine why she posted this for all of her Facebook friends to see. Kayla or as I call her "kaykay" is a self-motivated and taught photographer. I mean her work is amazing! Her appreciation for the arts is incomprehensible to most but very well recognized by many. I can't say that I remember the day she picked up a camera or the day she decided photography would become a portion of her life full-time but I can write about the moment I realized she had a passion and appreciation for her talent. 

I remember receiving many texts and having Skype sessions with kaykay during our [SophomoreYear] where she would talk about this hidden talent I didn’t know she possessed. She would ask me to pray for her as she submitted her works to different things. Or, I would just lend a listening ear other times. I could hear the frustration in her voice when she would mention not having enough funds or adequate supplies to better her pieces. In a sense, I almost felt helpless. Now, her story doesn't end sad but there's no fairytale ending either. At the time, she had as many highs as she had lows but she never quit. She knew "Nothing worth having comes easy!" 

So she kept pushing forward not allowing setbacks to be an easy way out. She continued developing her work, taking pictures of friends, building her portfolio and resume and stayed positive remembering that simple thought. 

She found her TICK and moved forward with Drive. This is the same thing you must do!

Keep in mind, Rome wasn't built in a day, the Sistine Chapel ceiling painting by Michelangelo wasn't complete in one week, and you were not created or born in a month time span. Whatever the task may be, pace yourself. Figure out what it is you are trying to accomplish and outline your steps to achieving the task. Stay positive! Talk to people who have taken the same or similar paths. Share ideas but also protect them. Be confident in yourself. Believe that you can overcome any challenge or obstacle. 

Just remember, nothing worth having comes easy! 

I find myself leaving encouraging post-its on my wall. I allow my close friends and mentees to write on my mirror (this reminds me who I have as a support system). Some days I print out a list of goals I want to accomplish and plaster it on my wall. I pick up the phone and call my mentors to share my thoughts and ideas. I doodle and journal about my ambitions. I simply take a moment to capture whatever it is I want and then go for it. 

 

READY, SET...DRIVE!

Hope-expectation-purpose-focus

So now that I have given you a little insight on what Sophomore Year is about let’s get to the truth about this place called college!

College is defined on Wikipedia as an educational institution or establishment, in particular. Or, one providing higher education or specialized professional or vocational training. Webster defines college as a self-governing constituent body of a university offering living quarters and sometimes instruction but not granting degrees.

I literally had to read Webster’s definition several times. Did you?

College is a self-governing constituent body of a university offering living quarters and sometimes instruction but NOT granting degrees.

This definition leads me right into my first topic, DRIVE.

During secondary schooling, we (being the students) have our parents or guardians around to make sure we are on task and prepared for our daily ventures to school and extra-curricular activities. We are usually provided with a detailed schedule starting from the crack of dawn until the moment we place our heads on the pillows our parents have provided. Until the “thirteenth year,” we live our lives based around a set agenda.

So what happens when we get to college?

Freshmen year, our parents drive long hours toting U-Haul’s filled with suitcases, new appliances, and all the best dormitory items to make us feel right at home in this new estranged place. We arrive to campus, find the residential hall, unload the car, walk into an empty room (probably the size of the kitchen pantry at home), unpack everything, and eventually say farewells until the first school holiday.

Does anyone else see a problem arising?  

Many incoming freshmen have the “college countdowns.” This is a highly anticipated moment. But, when it finally happens, are we REALLY prepared and ready to hit the campus running or did we sike ourselves out during the summer?  

Well, I definitely fooled myself! I was hardly ready! I mean, I was prepared and very mature. I knew what my obligations as a student were. Go to class, Go to class, GO TO CLASS!!! But the one thing that I had to learn on my own is what it meant to be [self driven.]

Here’s my first tip:

Find out what makes you tick (a good tick of course). In order to make the best out of your college experience, search for that something that puts you in full throttle going 125mph.

Having drive will be what opens those doors of endless opportunities. When your alarm clock goes off in the morning, DON’T HIT SNOOZE! Get up and start your day!

In my Sophomore Year, I found my passion through student organizations and campus involvement. To get the entire college experience, you must be ACTIVE. Find a student organization that encourages individualism and acknowledges your input. Remember, college DOES NOT grant degrees. You must go get it!

 

What makes you tick? What drives you?   

 

 

Freshmen Year: Not What I Expected....

College

 

It will please some of you to know that I almost started my first blog post by titling it with an expression that many college students become immune to using after they've missed their first exam BUT I'll digress from using such explicit language.  

Welcome to Sophomore Year! This blog was inspired by a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Student Ambassador Interview I had with Photographer/Videographer/Journalist, a well-rounded, Erica Singleton. As we sat in the dorm where I work as a residential assistant and discussed my experience at the 2011 TMCF Leadership Institute, Erica began by saying "So, tell me a little about yourself." 

CRAP! This may be the hardest statement to respond to. Well..."Hi my name is Kelsi!" That's always a great way to start, right? Here I am, at the prime of my college career and I am being interviewed about an experience that fell right into my lap. Like the saying "to know me is to love me" well "to know me is to know how much I hated college until Sophomore Year." 

I dare not leak out the entire interview for the sake of reader anticipation. As Erica and I sat there I had to figure out quickly how I would make this interview personal yet interesting.

"So can you believe I hated this school the entire first year?" 

That statement led the rest of the conversation between the two of us and from it developed, Sophomore Year! 

It wasn't until my second year at Savannah State University (I will refer to my school as SSU in all other post) that I finally figured out what I wanted to do when I graduated before I graduated and how I was going to achieve it.

Sophomore Year will provide life lessons, advice & tips on surviving the college experience. Enjoy!