"On The Rise Again"

For quite some time now, the city of Detroit, Michigan has developed a disgraceful reputation. It's been considered not only one of the most unprofessional cities, but also the most violent, the city with one of the highest illiteracy rates, and the home of one of the most frowned upon school systems in the nation. How did it ever come to all this? How did a city that was once on the rise day by day develop as one of the most all-time low cities in the United States? Who is to blame? Truthfully, we can only blame ourselves for letting things get this way.

As I walk around, I tend to see everything that I don't want to become. Some say that children are a product of their environment. If that's the case, then I along with thousands of other young men and women must be from other cities and even countries. My first step into becoming a DPS (Detroit Public School) student was high school and it was my first step into the real world of my city. Yes, it was almost a huge culture shock for me and I saw and experienced things that I would have never known went on in the minds and lifestyles of young men and women of my age. However, it was here that I got a revelation that my generation has some talented individuals that I know will take this city back to where it needs to be.

As a high school student, I was apart of one of the highest rated orchestras in the country. We scored high in all categories at competitions, and performed literally all across the globe. It wasn't until the end of my senior year that I realized just why Detroit is known for some of the most talented people in the world. At the end of each year, all of the DPS high schools would come together and put on a musical performance at the Fox Theater in Downtown Detroit. To say that the talent in that house was phenomenal would be an understatement. As I think back on how much talent rocked that place those nights, I realize that Detroit still has a chance to come back.

About a week ago, I had the privilege of meeting a young man who still believes in Detroit as much as I do. He is the author of an upcoming magazine called La Famiglia. Not only does it give local Detroit artist the chance to shine in music, but it shines light on the graphic artists that otherwise would not be heard of. I was astonished at the graphic art and music that were at the magazine release party, and I could not believe that all this talent came from the city of Detroit- my own hometown. I couldn't help but be proud of my city. Not only did those performance nights during high school remind me why Detroit is still the home of great music, but the night of La Famiglia's event confirmed it once again. It is through the people that still believe in this city that real talent can shine in this city. I truly believe that like our orchestra, magazines, and other venues that help encourage our talented people of Detroit, the Motor City will once again rise to the occassion like it was meant to do.

"Where Is The Love?"

What is love? It's a word that once had true meaning, and the true meaning of love was not taken seriously and not just tossed around like a rag doll. However, it seems that nowadays that word and the sanctity of it has become a thing of the past, and doesn't look like it is going to make it's way back into popularity anytime soon.

Being a celebrity/entertainment reporter, I have to oftentimes look at different celebrities and their lifestyles. That means that I look at all the gossip, events, concerts, films, and of course celeb relationships. What I have noticed all in all is that not only do most celebrities toss this word around, but those that look up to them mimic such carelessness and exude such to others when it comes to relationships.

When I was younger, I thought I knew what love was. It started with those little butterflies that fluttered in my stomach when I saw that certain guy. Then it went on to writing about him in my private journal and thoughts. Then it went to the giggling about him and talking about him with my friends. Sensing a pattern here? It's the puppy love that older generations say little girls and little boys experience, but not real love. As I got older, I realized what the older folks meant when they said we were too young to know what real love was. Today, I still think that even adults forget what real love is as well.

Ever since I can remember, I have always admired the love and commitment that actors Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith have exuded throughout the years that they have been together. You never hear of them cheating on one another, fighting in public, having their drama placed on the front cover of magazines, and they obviously love and absolutely adore one another. Why is it that we can see examples of what real love is and not want to follow it?

In my own relationship, I see that day by day he and I make one another a priority and see to it that eachother's happiness is attributed to one another. We have a very mature relationship and we make sacrifices for one another and see to it that we stay committed to one another. There were times when we would argue and fight, but even Jada says that a little conflict keeps the flame alive. I look at what we have and look at others and can understand why we are strange to others and why the way we interact with one another is almost incomprehensible. There is nothing strange about what we do; it's strange that others don't understand what we do.

Daily I hear young girls say how much they love a man that pretty much doesn't respect her. Daily I hear about how young men simply feel that love is how good sex feels. The truth of the matter is that just like N.E.R.D. said in their song, "We don't need another love song. We need a love bomb." The fact of the matter is that the real meaning of love and the sanctity of love has become lost in a whirlwind of confusion, lust, misunderstanding, and ignorance. God intended love to mean something to each and every one of us and for it to be shared with others. But how are you going to share something when you don't know what it is? We always hear about how women lay with men, get pregnant and the man leaves. Gee, I wonder why. Could it be because love was not there? Yeah, I think that just may be the case.

The real meaning of love starts with looking to the Word of God and finding what the true meaning of love is. The footprints of an angel are love and those footprints can be made daily if the time to understand what love is, is taken and given a chance. And where there is love, miraculous things can happen. I've seen it in my own relationship.

"Taking Pride In..."

When I heard about the tragic shooting that happened in my own town, I realized how upset the people of this city make me. The City Council is in need of a serious makeover, the job market is in the dumps, younger people are dying everyday, and the school system is one of the worst in the country. How long does all this have to go on before the people of Detroit realize that changes need to be made, and unfortunately most of it is only going to happen without any governmental assistance.

Recently I was listening to Michael Jackson's Man In the Mirror and began to reflect on alot of the issues that take place here in the city of Detroit. People always complain about the high crime rates, the job district, the school system, the City Council, etc. But the truth of the matter is that many of those issues exist because of the lack of pride that the city people have for its city. As I got older and saw my own hometown deteriorating before my eyes, I realized that most of this stuff starts at home. It seems that people that complain about situations the most are the ones that are doing to least to improve things. I always hear people complain about how the suburbs looks better and has better ammenities than the inner city. But those same people never ask themselves if what they are doing is the reason why the city is the way it is. They never ask themselves if the level of pride they take in their city is what makes the city the way it is.

The fact of the matter is that a community is only as good as the people that live in it. If the people in the community do not take pride in their homes, then the community will become a disgusting place to inhabit. If you see trash on the ground, pick it up. If you see a helpless person, help them. If you see the school system failing, use other resources to help educate your children. It's like M.J. said in his song, "If you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a....CHANGE!!!" Maybe that message was more than a song at all. It's a lesson on how to take pride in whatever you have.