Taking Action

Quiet a few things have happened since my last open letter a week ago. I hope you haven’t lost interest in the topic, I would like to keep you updated. A lot of you asked me if they could do anything to help, and yes, you can!

Since the last open letter concerning the alarming glorification of murder, violence, drugs and crime in todays popular rap music, I have received a lot of feedback, so many reached out to me, I was interviewed by a few radio stations and was able to spread the word more.

Of course when you have such a big vision, such a desire to change things that have been going on for a long time and effect so many people, and you are working alone, things don’t move quiet as fast as you would like them to. But as with anything, first are the ideas, and the drive, the will to make it happen, the visualization, and then slowly the manifestation of it all.

I had many ideas and they can’t all be done at once but I think we have made a good start.
I started a group on Facebook, which you are welcome to join here (https://www.facebook.com/groups/427077954019396/)), a place for everyone who would like to join this movement to come together, exchange ideas, discuss and just get to know one another.

After that we needed a name and I came up with “Treat H.E.R. right” (Hip Hop in its Essence and Real ).

A blog has been started (http://treatherright2012.tumblr.com/)) where people can find information on the start of it all, developments, related material and I also added a list of organizations / workshops / community builders (Hip Hop based and working with the youth) in different cities, so that people can easily find one in their area. There are many great organizations already running who are supporting the cause. The list is still in progress and if you know any organizations, please send me the information so I can add them.
There are alot of organisations and people out there already doing great things and I believe if we come together as a unit, we can have a much bigger impact.

In collaboration with Dj Ddt we have started working on a mix tape which will feature Hip Hop with positive and uplifting messages, old and new, something suited for kids, teens and adults. If you are an artist and would like to contribute a song to the project, please feel free to send it over (youstillloveher@gmail.com)!

This is just the small start of something big, and it can feel overwhelming but I know that this is the right thing to do for our culture and for the next generation!
I started to understand alot of things during this process and most of all I realized that the younger generation is really just a reflection of what we teach them. And If we neglect teaching them, then we can’t complain about the state Hip Hop is in.

I can use all the help anybody is willing to give. Below is a list of things needed, if you can and want to provide (even if its not on the list) please reach out to me!

We need:

Graphic Designers (to design a logo, mixtape cover and flyers)
Artists (to provide music)
Bloggers (who are willing to support positive Hip Hop and/ or to contribute to our blog)

Something any of you can do to support this is simply by spreading the word and by sharing good music with the people you know. Be aware of what your kids listen to, and try to open their minds to positive Hip Hop. Don’t let the media control their minds.

Thank you for being around and for showing love and taking the time to read this. It means a lot, and knowing I’m not alone has pushed me so much.

Please feel free to reach out to me via Email, Facebook or Twitter anytime.

Love,
Wanja