Latest“Transformers” Flick: Good & Racist???

Fans, young and old, patiently waited for the latest installments in the “Transformers” saga to hit theaters, with most finding the wait worthwhile. No one has any doubt that the quality and magnitude of the robot flick has will garner it numerous cinematography awards and traditional film accolades. Likely to break several box office records, the shear economical effects of the film are unparallel, as are the social. Which is why a few people will not be surprised to find that the movie could very well be in the running fro a very prestigious annual accolade, the Ku Klux Klan Lifetime Achievement Award. Two “jive-talking” robots have moviegoers and social commentators alike riled up; both groups passionately denounce the characters as nothing less than a 21st Century menstrual show. Skids and Mudflap, who disguise themselves as twin hatchback, are being demonized because they act like fools, speak in the latest street lingo, and cannot read. One even brandishes a gold tooth for good measure. Michael Bay, producing nothing but the finest in 21st Century coonery. . .

100% American Made Coonery. . .

U.S. To North Korea: “For What & With What?”

From their seat of power in Pyongyang, North Korea issued another threat to their perennial arch-rival in the west, the United States of America. For weeks, the U.S. has shadowed the Kang Nam, a North Korean Vessel that it suspected of carrying nuclear material and contraband weapons to the nation formerly known as Burma (Myanmar), with the hopes of intercepting the ship; an act that the North Korean dictatorship said they would view as nothing less than an act of war, even going as far as saying that they would “wipe out the aggressors on the globe once and for all.” A threat that the Pentagon, though spokesman Geoff Morrell, called “silliness.” Adding insult to the proverbial injury, Morrell jovially recognized North Korea’s position in the international community by asking “for what & with what” would they do the job for and with, surely making fun of the North’s rampant poverty for which they habitually need international aid to contain as well as their lack of a modern military or nuclear capabilities. . .

Sigh. . .

Ahmadinejad Likens Obama to Bush

In the latest news of the Iranian Crisis, Semi President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is continuing to reclaim his rapidly faltering legitimacy by ramping the employing a hard fist and increasing civilian bloodshed by way of the army and his private Iranian police force. In the face of this crackdown by the presidential puppet, President Obama has remained steadfast to his promise of employing diplomacy to calm the wayward Islamic nation, all the while, voicing his disappointment over what has transpired over the past few weeks; the tone that Ahmadinejad feels would “not have any result except that the people will consider you similar to Bush.”

The “Hip-Hop Doc” Helps To Pays Homage To A Man Who Changed The World

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson & Mr. Alston

Denizens of Atlanta feverishly flocked into the Student Center Ballroom at Georgia State University, seemingly exceeding the maximum room capacity in mere seconds and instantly transforming any stragglers or late-comers into unwitting participants of the freshly instituted “standing room” policy, all to pay homage to a man who changed the world through his teachings of nonviolence,  tolerance, and understanding. Leading off the a jam-packed schedule of events, the annual Martin Luther King Day Convocation set the tone for GSU’s yearly tribute to Atlanta’s greatest fallen son, a crown jewel in the history of modern society and the world, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Designed to represent the essence of who Dr. King was and of what his legacy was meant to instill in all Americans, the Torch of Peace Award was presented to two students (Karishma Saini & Nicolas Lee Bertram Harvey), one staff member (Bobbi Turner),  one faculty member (Frederick Taylor), and one campus organization (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.) that performed numerous charitable works and kind deeds throughout the metropolitan area. The prestigious Hosea Williams Award, given for outstanding community activism, was given to Mike “Stinger” Glenn, the founder of the Mike Glenn Basketball Camp for the Hearing Impaired and long time member of the Board of Advisory for the Auditory Education Clinic and in the Georgia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.  Providing the coup de grace was world renowned author/orator/educator/Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.

A “new-aged intellectual”, Dr. Dyson embodies a portion of Dr. King’s dream, success and equality achieved through educational achievement, making sure to pay homage to a man who undoubtedly trail blazed the path for him. “It is an honor to be here, in Atlanta Georgia, on the very day of Dr. King’s birth. It is indeed a date of destiny, when this distinguished man, from your local soil, sprouted, emerged, flowered, evolved, changed, transformed, and inspired. Not only his city, too busy to hate, his state, a peach of a state, or his country, the United States of America, but the world”, Heroism is often a local affair that remains invisible by the people, especially who sometimes are helped by it”, said Dr. Dyson to a crowd anxious to hear him. The star and main draw of the night, Dr. Dyson did not disappoint, using his oratorical adroitness to take the crowd on an emotional rollercoaster ride through time and various topics of conflict, ostensibly whipping the crowd into a rancorous state, only to immediately deliver the audience into a condition of joviality through a supreme master of hip-hop knowledge and pop culture with a whimsical twist. Never wandering far from the reason for the night, the “Hip-Hop Intellectual“made reference to the man that Dr. King was and what he represented while using those very characteristics to pave a course that concluded with the crowd being reminding of their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, no matter the history, religion, color, or creed, all the while, remembering to thank the young people for all of their efforts and support of change for the nation. “Dr. King was concerned about young people. People tend to put them down a lot, but if it were not for them, we would not be staring at a future as bright as the one we are preparing to embark on. Without them, we would not have fulfilled one of Dr. King’s dreams, almost guaranteeing that the pinnacle for which we have reached as a people and as Americans would never have been attained. I salute all of you.”

The Pipeline Stops Here

It was the hope of a nation undergoing changes of colossal political, social, and economic change, that a system be constructed to ensure that the United States would remain a dominant power in the world, able to remain a leader in both cultural significance and intellectual innovation alike. A plausible dream that spawned the noble goal of providing an impeccable education to the masses; every denizen of the United States would have an equal opportunity to achieve, and thus, be able contributors in body and mind to their nation. Delivering an education to every citizen, allowing them to reach the heights of conventional educational standards and beyond, promised to be the proverbial gift that kept giving. It is for those very reasons that the architects of America’s educational system would be utterly baffled had they lived to see what has become of their ideologic progeny. Common beliefs dictate that public school systems and the institutes of learning over which they preside are to serve as beacons of light within their communities, each a pillar of strength for which the nurturing of future generations is paramount. For many schools, most in metropolitan areas, the situation is hardly as idyllic.

With most school reports showing that progress in the majority of metro schools venturing well below national standards while suspension and expulsion rates reach an all time high has led some to draw a direct correlation between the decline of their schools and the rise in local prison populations. Known as the “School to Prison Pipeline” (STTP), it gives a “face” to a disturbing national trend that sees children funneled out of public school and into juvenile and criminal systems. Many of the youth involved possess learning disabilities or have suffered from abuse, neglect, or even extreme poverty. These characteristics comprise the profile of average juvenile offenders, and though some may commit minor offenses, “Zero Tolerance” policies have ensured that the majority of them be punished to with all of the ferocity that the law can afford. With most school officials deciding to aggravate the issue, choosing to hinder over help, metro Atlanta community leaders have decided to aggregate their respective experiences and organizational skills in the effort to battle the devious fiend that is STTP. That collaboration marked the genesis of new community organizations whose defining purpose is the protection of the community through measured education policy reform. Leading the fight against the unjust school to prison system is the Gwinnett County Parent Coalition to Dismantle the School To Prison Pipeline, which met at Adamsville Community Center to inform the masses of the danger that lurks in their communities. “You reach into the community and you will be surprised what you will find”, said Mark Williams, a teacher at a popular DeKalb County High School and member of the coalition.

Under the banner of “Zero Tolerance” schools are increasingly relying on inappropriately harsh discipline and law enforcement to address less serious instances of school misconduct among even the youngest of students. Instance such as one involving the suspension of several students due to them wearing clothing of certain colors that some perceived as being gang related as well as another student who was forced out of her district institution and made to attend an “alternative” campus at the beheads of school officials due to her powdered drink mix bearing too close of a resemblance to a drug substance are a couple of the cases that the Gwinnett Coalition has deemed as proof of the corruption of “Zero Tolerance” rules and regulations. Outside statisticians cite cultural miscues between teachers, students, and parents as possible reasons for all of the instances, choosing to differ with local leaders and organizations.

Gwinnett County is has two alternative institutions, GIVE East and GIVE West. Geographical boundaries choose which campus students can attend. In what county residents cite as more than ironic symbolism, GIVE East which is in the worst shape of the two alternative schools, lies directly across from a Gwinnett County Jail. Marylin Tillman, one of the charter members of the Gwinnett County Parent Coalition sees the lack of parent cooperation as a major reason that the educational system is allowed to be in such disarray. Tillman preached to the audience on the significance of neighborhood activism and parental involvement with the education of youths, choosing to drive home her point in stern and grim fashion; “Parents always say that they do not have the time [to help children] but whether they know it or not, they are gonna pay for it one way or another.” With solid allies in the Harvard Civil Rights Project, NAACP, and ACLU, the Gwinnett Parent Coalition seems to be poised to strike a positive change in the name of metropolitan youth. There will undoubtedly still be instances of paroxysm in the classroom, students and parents can rest assured that as long as community guardians like the Gwinnett Coalition are around, justice will reign as the rule of the day and education will return to its rightful place as one of the most vital landmarks in within the community.

“He Stepped Up & Showed Out” A Silver Lining In The Troy Davis Case

National Action Network Member & Davis Reporter

Many made the journey to the West End Mall in west Atlanta to take part in an event that they all felt was “bigger” than themselves. Boarding an old, mid-sized, school bus provided by Mount Nebo Baptist Church, a plethora of people, from the matriarch of a family to the glimmer of the future in another, came to support one man in what could have been his last day. “I just can’t believe they are gonna go through with this . . . he is an innocent man” exclaimed Joyce Gibbons, a staunch Davis supporter. Deemed not fit for clemency as recently as one week ago by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, Troy Anthony Davis kept his wits about him when everyone else had seemingly started to lose theirs. Holding steadfast to his convictions and principles, Davis has proclaimed his innocence since the beginning of this fiasco, and now he might soon be getting an audience with the highest court in the nation. The United States Supreme Court chose to stay Troy Davis’ execution until September 29^th, a decision that Davis’ sister, Martina Davis-Correia, was overjoyed to hear. “I’ve been praying for this moment forever,” said Davis’ sister after just receiving the news that her younger brother had been given one more week to live. “He [God] stepped up and showed out”, said Virginia Davis, the mother of Troy Davis. The Davis’ mother and sister have been working tirelessly to prove Troy’s innocence, and now, the hard work may have finally paid off.

Davis has been on Death Row since 1991, after he was identified by several eye witnesses as the trigger man in the murder of 27 year old Mark MacPhail, who was working as an off-duty security guard at a bus station at the time of his murder. One witness described Davis as having worn a “smirk on his face” as he fired the murder weapon, has now recanted his statement. He is not alone in his actions; nine other “witnesses” in the Davis case are also recanting the statements that they made in sworn affidavits years ago. When asked why he chose to recant his statement, former witness Kevin McQueen said,  “The truth is that Troy never confessed to me or talked to me about the shooting of the police officer. I made up the confession from information I had heard on T.V. and from other inmates about the crimes. Troy did not tell me any of this… I have now realized what I did to Troy so I have decided to tell the truth… I need to set the record straight.” The need to tell the truth does not end with McQueen, nine other witnesses now implicate another man, Sylvester “Red” Coles, as the gunman. One witness, Joseph Washington put it very bluntly, “I saw Sylvester Coles, I know him by the name Red, shoot the police officer. I am positive that it was Red who shot the police officer.” Statements like the ones made by McQueen and Washington give Davis, his family, and his supporters’ hope that they will be able to receive an audience with the Supreme Court and ultimately, exonerate him of all charges.

Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network, members of Amnesty International USA, and Davis’ sister and mother were present outside of the Georgia Diagnostic Prison and Classification Prison in Jackson, Georgia, but they are definitely not the only celebrities who are throwing their proverbial “muscle” behind the Troy Davis defense effort. Pope Benedict XVI, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu, former President Jimmy Carter, U.S. Representative Bob Barr, Susan Sarandon, and Harry Belafonte are all seeking to get the state of Georgia to grant Davis a new trial. In a recent letter to the Georgia State Board of Pardon and Parole, Sarandon wrote “Despite mounting evidence that Davis may be in fact be innocent of the crime, appeals to the courts to consider this evidence have been repeatedly denied for procedural reasons. Instead, the prosecution based its case on the testimony of purported “witnesses,” many of who allege police coercion and most of whom have since recanted their testimony.”  When asked about his stance on the Davis case, Bob Barr said that he was “a strong supporter in the death penalty as an appropriate and just punishment, but feels that the proper levels of fairness and accuracy required have not been met in the Davis case.”  But not everyone is elated with the intervention of the Supreme Court Monday afternoon. “I am angry as can be. I’m disgusted It should be over by now,” Anneliese MacPhail told press on Monday. The 74-year-old mother of Mark MacPhail has no doubts that it was Davis who pulled the trigger and is furious with the delay of the execution. “My son is dead. Theirs is still alive, that’s just how I feel.” When asked about what she though of Davis, MacPhail said “if I saw him, I’d punch him in the face. I am angry at the whole family. I don’t know how they have such a following.”

The fate of Troy Davis rests solely on the shoulders on the US Supreme Court, which will take a second look at the case Monday. The Davis family is hoping and praying that the new witness revelations help in swaying the decision of the nine justices, of which, four must approve the appeal request in order to receive a new trial or court hearing in which new evidence can be presented. Contrarily, if the four judges do not approve, then the stay of execution will be lifted and, depending on when a decision is made within the Supreme Court, Davis could be executed as soon as next Tuesday.

A King Imparts Wisdom To His Subjects

Hordes of fans flocked to a non-descript, remodeled Super K-Mart, filling the air with an exciting anticipation. The interior was a more subdued, as business seemed to be conducting itself in the usual manner. Many patrons continued shopping, scurrying about the isles assuming their normal shopping behavior, all the while not knowing that they were in the presence of greatness. Unbeknownst to many of the shoppers at 5590 Mableton Parkway, a “King” was in their midst, a King of Comedy. Steve Harvey, the host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, was on hand to enlighten his loyal subjects in the historically difficult subject of matters of the heart through the promotion his new book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.

Designed to be a venture into the minds of men with the intent of showing women exactly what makes the male mind tick, the book is Harvey’s latest success story. A world renowned comedian and actor, Harvey seems to have the “Midas Touch” of sorts, having starred in the multiple NAACP Image award winning Steve Harvey Show as well as co-headlining and starring in Spike Lee’s “The Original Kings of Comedy” along with fellow legendary comics Cedric the Entertainer, D. L. Hughley, and the late Bernie Mac. Having already conquered the stand-up comedy, movie, and television worlds respectively, Harvey is now looking to spread his reign to the untamed world of script and print. Debuting at the number one position on the New York Times Best Seller list, “Act Like A Lady” is the King of Comedy’s first foray into writing.

A riveting page turner, the book is an honest attempt to truly serve as a guide for women who seek to answer the time tested question, “what do men really think?” When asked the reason for penning the best seller, Harvey has a simple answer with complicated origins. “I just wanted to empower women. To give women some real information that they never had before, and to give them a chance to make better decisions about their life and the relationships that they are involved in”. Through the use of methods such as the “Ninety-Day Rule” and addressing concerns such as when to introduce children to a significant other, Harvey comically but effectively breaks down old stigmas while answering many age-old questions that women have been pondering for generations.

The only person possibly having a better day than the legendary radio host was Juan Perez, the winner of the ‘Shop with Steve Kmart Shopping Spree’. A native of Enterprise, Alabama, Perez is a married unemployed father of three. Claiming to have never won anything in life, he hailed his winning of the $1,000 shopping spree as nothing short of miraculous. “This prize is really a blessing”, said Perez of the opportunity.

With twenty five years as a comedian under his belt, Harvey is looking to possibly pursue other interests. “I’ll be going into my 25^th year of stand up if God let’s me live to 2010. I’ve never stopped doing that [comedy], but I am gonna wrap it up pretty soon. In 2010 I will probably start thinking about wrapping it up. I have a lot of projects that I am working on, God’s been good to me, so I think I am going to do those and see what they are like. It will be good to spend some more time with my kids.” Even as his comic career reaches its twilight, Harvey looks to continue wield his supremacy over the realm of print media. Promising a sequel to his best seller, Harvey’s second venture in relationship advising will be similar to the first, with the only difference being that it will be geared toward his fan base possessing “XY” chromosomes. “Oh yeah that’s [book for men] coming. The big question is, if I do a book for guys, are the guys gonna buy it? Guys aren’t that big into buying books, so when I write this book for men, the big question is whether they will buy it or not. That’s my question. ” With the success that will surely accompany his second book, Harvey will undoubtedly be able to add another title to his list of appellations, “relationship guru”.

WHAT’S HOT ON THE STREETZ: SPRING 07’ EDITION

Spring has always been the season of new beginnings, the end of all things old and the start of something new, something “fresh” in life. March the first is officially the first day the 2007 Spring Season, and as the world prepares for plants to bloom and new love to kindle, college students all internationally recognize this date as a beginning to a very time in their lives that’s is surely to be chalked full of unforgettable times and magical moments, the Spring Break Party Season. So what’s a party without music? Good music is paramount to any good event, gathering, or social soiree. For those of us who are not fortunate enough to have extravagant Spring Break plans or chose to do something other than party, it should be known that music is more than something people listen to, but rather the soundtrack to our daily lives. So in the spirit of Spring time and in the of all things new, I bring you a few songs, representing the R&B, Rap, Hip-Hop spectrums respectively, that are surely to add some Spring Time flavor to your life. Presenting, the Blue Flash Spring Break Mix 2007. . .

R&B

1. T-Pain ft. Yung Joc – Buy You a Drink: This is T-Pain’s first single off of his new album, R&M: Rhythm & Music. Smooth yet edgy, this song is surely to light up the charts well into the summer.

2. Tyrese a.k.a. “Black Ty” ft. Lil’ Jon - Turn You Out: Tyrese returns and partners up with Lil’ Jon for an R&B banger!

3. Lloyd ft. Andre’ 3000 and Nas – You (Remix): Lloyd capitalizes on his smash hit “You” with and brings the masses the OFFICIAL remix, with a little help from fellow ATLien Andre’ 3000 and God’s Son, Nas.

4. Chris Brown ft. Lil’ Wayne and Juelz Santana – Poppin’ (Remix): The youngster from Virginia, Chris Brown expands his already impressive resume’ (double platinum with his self-tiled debut album and 2 movies in the works) rehashes his hit single Poppin’

5. J.Holiday – Come with Me: This new comer to the R&B scene comes to the stage with a sure fire hit. Armed with a light, melodic feel and heart felt words that every young man can relate to, “Come With Me” is truly a song that embodies what a very important Spring pastime. . .finding love.

Rap/Hip-Hop

1. Shop Boyz – Party like a Rockstar: Independent group, the Shop Boyz, deliver a pre-Summer hit with this club banger. Laden with “A-Town flava”, this song is clearly a by-season hit that will get any party jumping.

2. The Alliance ft. Fabo – Tatted Up: Tattoos seems to be sweeping the nation so it is only natural that a song dedicated to the fad be made. With and infectious hook, simple beat and trademark zaniness of Fabo from D4L, “Tatted Up” is a certified “party starter”.

3. Huey – Pop, Lock, & Drop It: Directly from the streets of St.Louis, Huey delivers a power dance song laden with an ominous beat and uber contagious hook.

4. Nitti – #1 Record: Responsible for numerous number one records for artist such as Bow Wow and Young Jeezy, as well as launching the career of Yung Joc, Nitti finally sets out to make himself into a bonafide star. Utilizing very simplified beat and straight forward lyrics, this is a very good attempt at reaching the top and finally stepping out of obscurity and into the limelight.

5.  Mims – This Is Why I’m Hot: Hailing from New York, Mims delivers a gem with this “Dirty-Southesqe” hit.

6. The Game ft. Kanye West – Wouldn’t Get Far: Reaching out to the Mid-West, The Game scores another hit with the help of Kanye West in his ode to video vixens and beautiful starlet’s everywhere.

7. Rich Boy ft. Andre’ 3000, Jim Jones, Murphy Lee, and The Game – Throw Some D’s (Lil’ Jon Mix): Rich Boy reached out around the nation and sought help for this Lil’Jon produced mega-mix. This song is a bonafide CLUB BANGER!

8. DJ Unk – 2 Step: Continuing with the “Atlanta Dance Era”, the father of the “Snap Movement” continues his long string of hits with another chart topper.

9. Lil’ Scrappy ft. Sean Paul & E-40 – Oh Yeah (Work): The “Prince of Crunk” delivers his third single off of his sophomore album “Born 2 Die, Born 2 Live” with help from fellow Atlanta Native Sean Paul and Bay area veteran, E-40.

10. Young Jeezy ft. R.Kelly – Go Getta: In a change of pace from his previous singles, Jay “Young Jeezy” Jenkins scores a number one record with assistance from the “Pied Piper of R&B”, R.Kelly. Driven by a hard beat, miasmic hook, and the melodious voice of Kelly, “Go Getta” is surely a Spring Time smash hit.

SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSIC 2006

The air around Jackson State University is thick with anticipation; the electricity in the atmosphere is undeniable as everyone on campus is looking forward to one of the biggest football games of the season, the annual Southern Heritage Classic. The visiting Jackson State Tigers will clash with the Tigers of Tennessee State University, the rivalry between theses two HBCU giants could not be anymore fierce than it is now. Jackson State and head coach Rick Carmegy are looking for revenge as the fell victim to the TSU juggernaut last season. “This will probably be the best team that we face this season. I am worried about out chances [of winning].” said Steven Maben, a freshman. Both teams had a tremendous off-seasons; Jackson State secured nine division one players while TSU was not far behind with six players from the same division. This is sure to be a true slugfest between two teams that definitely have something to prove, especially after the dismal outcome of last season.

Saturday is not only a big game for the football team; the band has been looking forward to it as well. The legendary “Sonic Boom of the South” will see its first “opponent” this season in the “Aristocrats of Bands”. “It will be nice to see another acclaimed band in action, but come on, we are the Boom .We can not be touched!” boasted an excited Morgan Willoughby, a newcomer to the Boom. This will be one of the premier match-ups of the year as neither band wants to relinquish the right to brag for another year.”J-State making us look like slaw? it will never happen …,” said Kierre Mobly, a freshman at TSU and saxophone player in the “Aristocrats of Bands”.

It’s “put up or shut up” time as all eyes will be on the fifty yard line during half-time and all ears will be sharp for the “5^th Quarter” after the game. The only thing left to say is “          LOVE THE BOOM!”go JSU!

Sonic Boom of th South. . .Best Band In The Land

R&B Pep Plus Test Prep Equals Success

Mr. Alston & LeToya Luckett

The atmosphere was abuzz with electricity at McNair Senior High School as students went on with their daily routines, all the while, eagerly awaiting the festivities for the afternoon. Some were more lackadaisical, exhibiting more of a demure than the other students; others toted a more frantic calm. The separation between the senior class and their successors, the junior class of 2010, was as wide any chasm in the Grand Canyon, and for good reason. For weeks McNair’s Junior Class has endured hours of studying, constantly being drilled and grilled by teachers on the basics of the education that they have received thus far, all in the hopes that they will turn a stellar performance on what many faculty members and administrators have deemed the “D-Day” for all tests in the State of Georgia, the Georgia High School Graduation Test. With noble intentions and the hope of inspiring the class of 2010 to meet and defeat the challenges of the GHSGT, several teachers enlisted that aid to Curtis “Curt” B., the pioneer of the revolutionary “Its Cool To Be Smart” campaign to cap off their weeks of teaching and encouragement. With so much at stake and disappointment not an option, B and his campaign did what it has always done, show up and show out!

Looking for the best way to empower the mostly female audience, B. reached out to R&B superstar Letoya Luckett to drive home the prevailing message of the day. Instantaneously igniting the room ablaze with her mere presence, Luckett held the attention of the crowd captive as they clung to every word that she uttered, imparting key wisdom to the students in a language that they understood. “I know that there are a lot of things out there distracting you right now and that there are a lot of hard decisions that are being made where you’re at. But there is a bright side to things and that the most important things is to have self confidence and to be able to put yourself first at a young age”, Luckett exclaimed to the enchanted members of the upper-class student body.

An avid volunteer in the community, Ms.Luckett is a firm believer in the sentiment that musical artists, as well as parents, need to take responsibility in the lives of today’s youth, especially young women. “I think that leaders have fallen by the waste side. Instead of seeing good examples daily, they try to follow in our [music artists] to guide them through life, and they shouldn’t because we are not perfect. There needs to be a stronger presence, a stronger mentorship, at home.”