“I’m a dreamer, but I ain’t the only one… This is our world, from here to your hood. We alive man, it’s okay to feel good!” K’Naan, “Dreamer,” Troubador, 2009

“From Englewood to a single hood in Botswana. I see the I in WE. Your’s is my drama.” Common, “The People”, Finding Forever. 2005.

TRUTH. Happy Monday Daily Dosers. Last Friday I conducted a two-hour workshop called “The MC in YOU”. My audience consisted of 32 students from Atlanta metro-area high schools. The occasion was the the King Collection’s “World House @ Morehouse” first summer social justice institute. The purpose of my workshop was to take all the history they learned over the week about the civil rights movement, and show them how to apply it to their current civil rights issues.

We used hip-hop culture as our medium to determine – as Dr. King asked – “Where do we go from here?” One conclusion they reached – after deconstructing video and lyrics, and considering the Middle Eastern youth rebellion that took place last February – is that what happens in the local community influences what happens in the global community. And in order to achieve a “World House”, as described by King, we must see the “I” in “WE”. That what happens worldwide trickles down locally, and vice-versa. And because of this domino effect he challenged us to create a “Beloved Community.” Hip Hop has been a driving force for change for the past few decades. However, we learn each day of its global appeal. While the movement started with American rappers and groups who educated the world about the happenings in their hoods, the movement continues to grow internationally. For example, K’Naan, a rapper from Somalia, frequently fuses his Somalian and American experiences to dream of a better world; in his homeland and beyond. Common, in “The People”, raps “From a Englewood to a single hood in Botswana. I see the “I” in “We”. Yours is my drama.” What we do locally not only affects others nationally, but internationally as well. When Obama became President he made a point to say that it will take a community of people to keep the “Yes We Can” momentum going.

The DDR: So, yes we can. Yes we will. And, here we go! We have to stand for something so we will not fall for anything. Don’t fall for the OKIE DOKE! Consider what’s going on around you here and abroad, and be a positive contribution to eliminating both. Perhaps its mentoring one kid. Maybe raising funds for the environment. I’m not sure of your talents, but I know it will go a long way when applied to developing the local community. It is a new day and a new week. What will you do this day, this week, to move towards a Beloved Community?