Love What You Do!

By: Georgia Trevor

     From as long as you can remember, you’ve been told that if you nurture your talents, you’ll never work a day in your life because you’d be in the field of what you love doing. How many people have you gotten a chance to run into that’s actually living that tale? I happen to have gotten very lucky and caught up with the Missouri Mavericks hockey team’s, Public Relations & Communications Manager, Madeleine Stroth and got a little taste of what pursuing your dreams can do for you.

         If you don’t know, the Missouri Mavericks The Missouri Mavericks will be competing in their 6th season in the Central Hockey League with their 2014-15 campaign. The Mavs have made the playoffs in each of their first five seasons, including winning the 2014 Bud Poile Governor’s Cup, capping off a season of franchise record regular-season wins (44).

        “Creativity is an essential part of my job with the Missouri Mavericks.  Outside of developing eye-catching graphics for MissouriMavericks.com and our social media platforms (Facebook/Twitter), it is extremely vital that I work with my team to continuously seek new ways of engaging our target audience. A big focus for me as the Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Mavericks is policing our brand and tailoring our brand message to different audiences.  Creativity is key when structuring numerous campaigns throughout the season to keep things fresh with consideration to both content and platform.”

           Being in media is no easy task. You have GOT to keep up with the trends and be open to change or get left behind!

           “In an industry that is constantly introducing new ways to interact with and reach fans, staying current in trends and creatively implementing new tools into your campaigns is vital.  (i.e. using SnapChat to give fans an insider perspective or live-streaming an interview using Google Hangouts).”

 Get hip or get left! You can’t have be creative with a closed minded way of thinking. Social media is taking this generation by storm and if you want to reach your audience (us), you’ll have the best luck by grabbing our attention through an app or site!

  “I use creativity every day in my position, whether it is creating a graphic or advertisement for an upcoming event, writing a press release, or brainstorming a promotion, there is always a need for new ideas.”

 Who said your passion can’t be your job? And who said passionately working in the field you love is unheard of?  One thing I love about creativity is that you set boundaries, and then break them into your own molded artwork!

Lee Me 'Lone

By: Georgia Trevor

 

 

Keeping to yourself when around a huge crowd, listening to music when walking or locked in your room while it oozes out your speakers, your phone is glued to your hand because you actually have a cool personality if given the opportunity to showcase it… when you feel like it. You laugh at your own jokes in your head and insiders. If you can relate to any of these things, you, my friend, are a loner! Don’t be ashamed, though, because I too am a loner. NOW, be ashamed! (Lol)

In all seriousness, living the loner life can be, well, lonely. It’s also a hard comfortabilty to grow out of. So what do you do when you’re a loner but also a college student wanting to live the college experience? Let me help you out with a Survival Guide for such a contradicting situation, we’ll call it, ‘G’s Social Loner Guidelines. Yeah that sounds about right!

 Rule #1 Classmates: Best way to be social and not feel out of your comfort zone is by making friends within your classes. Odds are, you guys can work together on assignments and may even have the same major/interests.

 Rule #2 School Functions: Go to events and activities the school holds. The worst-case scenario is making a new friend with a FACULTY MEMBER!

(Don’t go out like that, bro!)

 Rule #3 Fix Yo Face: If you’re like me, you walk around with the Kanye face cause well, Yeezy taught me! Try looking approachable. No one wants to befriend the kid with the “I hate life” face.

 Rule #4 Club Life: Join a club. This one’s pretty self-explanatory. DO what you find interest in or are curious about and you’re guaranteed to make friends interested in things just like you.

 Rule #5 Simmer Dowwwn: Don’t try too hard! No one wants to be associated with the weird kid who joins in on conversation they weren’t invited in or welcomes a stranger who randomly sits with them and their group of friends at the lunch table in the café! Find a common interest with them, push comes to shove, give a compliment and go from there. BUT DON’T BE AWKWARD. (Something a lot of loners have a problem with. No shame, no shade. I’m extremely weird/awkward.)

 I know being a loner can be awfully boring but the G’s Social Loner Guidelines guide has never steered me wrong. Sure I’m a loner, but it’s by choice. I’m able to be social when it’s convenient as well though. Hopefully you take my guide and put it into effect too. Make memories before it’s too late. Make your college experience something to boast about when you’re 80!

Shawty Shoe Game Proper: STYLE

By: Georgia Trevor

 

S·t·y·l·e· Noun: The basic defining characteristics of a person, everything from talk, dress, hairstyle, demeanor, etc. A majority of the time it is the person's appearance in general and can be categorized. A few people have their own style which usually makes them unique while most go with whatever is the "in" thing at the time in all the above categories; can also be used as a compliment. –Urbandictionary.com

When it comes to making a great impression with someone, your appearance is everything. For most people, it’s a deal breaker, for sure. So picture walking in with the hottest fit, people checking your style in approval until they look down and your show game is DISRESPECTFUL! Do you realize the embarrassment that will be bestowed upon you if you’re outed by a friend or worse, a stranger that your shoes threw your whole outfit off? Let’s try avoiding that with a few style steals from a couple celebrities.

Celebrity Ne-Yo has the look every young gentleman should aim for. With his stylish fedoras to his tailored suits and simple yet complimenting jewelry, why wouldn’t you want to dress like this young debonair artist?

Now if you’re going for a more laid back look with the jeans and kicks type of thing but still look fly, artist, Usher is the guy to look up to. Whether with his jeans and dress suit with a crisp white t-shirt or in his dapper, suit and tie, Usher really has a look any guy with a sense of style should try to replicate with their own twist, of course.

The point I’m trying to stress here is style! Make it your own, make it punk, rebel, girly, dope; with whatever you make it, make it look good!
Style is everything and only rarely do       you get a second chance at a first impression!

Nothing Lasts Forever

By: Georgia Trevor

 

I know many if not everyone knows a little store called Forever21. The Forever 21 Retail Inc. owns and operates numerous stores in different formats. Current store operating formats are Forever 21, XXI Forever and Heritage 1981. There are many brands that originate out of the stores such as Forever 21+, Love 21 Contemporary and Maternity, Forever 21 Girls and 21 Men. Well as much as we all may love Forever21, I’m here to a small dent in their good name- Forever21’s clothes don’t always last forever!

Yes, I said it!

Picture buying the bestest looking outfit with shoes and jewelry to match. You wear it for the first time and you just KNOW you’re rockin’ the hell out of it. Compliments are flooding in and you’re taking pictures that everyone’s liking and asking where’d you get it from. The day comes to a close and it’s time to take it down. You take it off and you hear a rip. Yeah, your awesome outfit tore by a stretch. Consider that ‘high’ being short-lived.

As cute and fashionable as their clothes are, you’re lucky if it lasts all year. Whether it’s a hole in the stockings, a tear right in the middle of a blouse or easily-made scuffs on your shoes from Forever, you’re bound to be hurt by their poor-quality material products.

Knowing this, I shall not be a hypocrite because my closet is majority Forever21. When I walk into a Forever21 store, I feel like I’m home. It’s true, I am indeed an addict and if I don’t splurge there, it truly is NOT a good day at the mall. Knowing all of this, it doesn’t stop me from buying to my heart’s content. Blame it on the shop-a-holic in me as of recently.

I do recommend this store if you want to look good and wear the fashionable stuff for the moment, but don’t expect it to last longer than you can swipe your card, put in your pin and tell the cashier you want the receipt in the bag!

Love Me For My Ambition!

By: Georgia Trevor

Creative. Open Minded. Silly by nature. Confident when necessary. Outside the box thinker. That’s me.

When you think of passion, you think of something you feel strongly, something that brings you to life and allows you to be in your zone. Well my passion is basically to become amongst people like Pharell, Spike Lee, Wale mixed with some Beyonce. Yeah, I want to be well-known for my talents; for my creativity. I’m passionate about anything I’m allowed to do dealing with creativity without limits.

When I say this, I mean poetry, music, photography, advertising, writing, and designing. I’m an artist with many talents and if not all, most of them I plan to go far with and make my name in the media industry.

I love how each of my talents allow me to express myself through them. It shows my character, where my head is at and shows my commitment to whatever I put my mind to. My newfound dream that I plan to wake up from and make it a reality is to make street wear clothing called Prodi_G. It’s a mix of how I’m something like a genius and of course, the first letter in my name. It’s very catchy. I’m in the wishful thinking stage but I plan to put my plan in motion with rough draft sketches and finding my “models” to sport it and finding a place that can make them. It started off as a thought but every time I think about it, it makes sense. If Lil Wayne can make Trukfit and people are paying tons of dollars on clothing with oceans and a dolphin of every color yet it’s called Pink Dolphin, surely I have the drive and ambition to make Prodi_G happen.

Then there’s my love for poetry and writing in general. I tend to be my biggest critic so when I write, I feel like I c an always do better. And I do. But let someone else tell it, I’m a great writer and deep recite. Humble may be what it is but when I write, I want others to view things from my window or walk in my kicks for a minute. If words don’t help, that’s when photography comes in play. ProdiG.Photography, that is. I wasn’t playin’ when I said one if not all of these talents will take me far!

I’m passionate about creativity because it allows me to be free and doesn’t minimize my potential.

 Creativity’s my passion and I’m passionate about creativity!

He Said WHAT?!?

By: Georgia Trevor

 

 

 

 

“Pop a lot of pain pills.

Bout to put rims on my skateboard wheels.

Beat that pussy up like Emmett Till. Yeah”

 

            These are the lyrics that famous rapper, Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter decided to use in his verse for rapper Future’s song titled “Karate Chop Remix” This is what has sparked chaos and controversy over the world. Makes me wonder when freedom of speech has its limits. Given Mr. Carter has a daughter just around that age, you’d think he’d put more thought to his lyrical decisions. Above all of this, IT’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH! If this is a salute then we don’t want it! It’s a disgrace to our race because people are reciting it and continuing to support rappers like him that have nothing better to talk about but nonsense! I got a chance to have a very brief chat with Roger Suggs, better known as the rapper Vigalantee is an emcee, speaker, and social activist based in Kansas City, Kansas and he had so much to say about this topic. Matter of fact, if you follow this link, http://youtu.be/xPLEQO-4CD4 you can get the full interview he had on YouTube.

 

“We’re losing our culture, trying to be like everybody else when at a time everyone wanted to be like us, especially when it came to hip-hop.” -Vigalantee

 

Black history was established to give incite and celebrate African Americans that made a difference and fought for what we as African Americans now have. Freedom, Equality, Peace, Unfair justice, inventions, accomplishments, books; everything we have can be trailed back to those who couldn’t imagine having what we now have.

 

“We’ve got to start educating our kids about the history so they don’t make the mistakes as Wayne did.”-Vigalantee

 

We’ve all heard of the story about a boy named Emmett Till. If not, let me give you a brief background. Emmett Louis Till (July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955) was an African-American boy who was murdered in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman. Till was from Chicago, Illinois, visiting his relatives in the Mississippi Delta region when he spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant, the married proprietor of a small grocery store. Several nights later, Bryant's husband Roy and his half-brother J. W. Milam arrived at Till's great-uncle's house where they took Till, transported him to a barn, beat him and gouged out one of his eyes, before shooting him through the head and disposing of his body in the Tallahatchie River, weighting it with a 70-pound (32 kg) cotton gin fan tied around his neck with barbed wire. His body was discovered and retrieved from the river three days later. He was beaten so badly, his own mother who raised him on her own couldn’t recognize him.

 

Tragic.

 

This was a major controversy around the world to how unjust this world truly was and that equality had yet to reach the hearts of many hateful racists. It showed that the system of progression still had ways to go for a better US.

 

 “When it comes to a black issue, nobody cares…we’re doing this to ourselves. It’s ridiculous.”-Vigalantee

 

The reality of it all is that if people of African American heritage don’t value and covet the history that gives them the ability to live so freely in a country so hell bent on keeping them oppressed, why would rappers as Wayne? Who will respect a race of people who does not respect themselves?

 

 

            

Eat My Words Drink My Passion

 

By: Georgia Trevor

 

Roses are red, violets are blue, if you weren’t at the Open Mic Night at Avila, the person that missed out was you! That’s right, Avila Univwersity's Black Student Union Committee held Open Mic night March 20^th which was the date reset due to all of the terrible weather and boy was it worth the wait!

“It was very entertaining! Elijah who was one of the poets really stuck out to me. He was the host of the whole event and through his poem gave a phenomenal story. There was one that was like a cliff hanger where you held onto it until the end to figure out the whole story. I would love to see this again. Even the campus security staff worker recited, It was great!” said student, Shakaila Wright.

Poetry is a form of expressing who you are and in many ways lets people see you and hear your story. It’s a gateway to escape whatever you may be dealing with and an awesome way to open eyes of others to what they may have been too blind to see.

I see poetry as a way to express what I can’t say just flat out. It sometimes even tells me what I was feeling without realizing it. I feel like nowadays, rap is commercial and people are really sleeping on poetry as a raw form of rap. Fake poets want the passion but not the pain.

Host of the event, Elijah Ming really had a nice, intimate turn out and hopes to try again sometime in May and to continue on with it next year. “More people interested in the committee would be nice too,” he says. “I wish more talent came out but regardless, it was very nice. A nice amount of people came out and enjoyed themselves.”

“One of the poems recited called Jalapeño Peppers was very deep. It even touched a girl in the audience. It was very emotional. I hope we have more Open Mic Nights; it was a great experience and opportunity.” Student, Ricki Dunigan explained.

Look out for the next Open Mic Night and don’t hesitate to sign up if you’re a fellow poet that wants to share with others what’s on your mind and in your heart!

 

 

Can You Feel it in The Air

 

It’s right about that time where couples are being formed or dropping off like flies. It’s either love or hate; no in between! It’s either Cupid hit ya or the naked guy missed ya!!

Yup, I’m talking about Valentine’s Day.

When it comes to our generation, I feel rapper, Drake said it best, “We live in a generation of not being in love and not being together…” I’m not anti-love but it’s not the main focus of my young life. Since I’ve been given the opportunity to entertain my mind with thoughts of this “lovely” day, I’m thinking hearts, flowers, stuffed animals, kisses and lovey dovey talk. I BLAME MY GENDER!

Love is patient, love is kind. Love is slowly LOSING YOUR MIND!

Love isn’t a word that should be taken lightly and though you should show your partner your adoration and care all year round, this day is specifically set to give you the green light to shower them and let them know that though you may not show it every day, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

They say it’s better to love than never have loved at all. . .

 

This is how I feel about love and how it is for me at this current point:

 

Love Don’t Bother Me

                                                  Shoo! Get on! Leave me alone, love.

                                       You’re no good for me; I’ve witnessed what you’re capable of.

I’ve seen the way you’ve worked your magic.

I also see what happens once the sparks stop flying; a sight that’s tragic.

Love, don’t bother me!

Don’t come close, please!

Don’t sneak up from behind and attack.

I gave into you once, so wherever you came from, go back.

I’m not ready to feel everything I used to feel.

I’m perfectly fine staying on earth, at least it’s real.

I know what to expect in reality.

I hate how I wasn’t prepared for heart technicalities.

I didn’t know that you weren’t to last forever.

I didn’t know that he and I weren’t to stay together.

Ironic how you can be so heartless.

Not caring the state you left me in; depressed, restless and a hopeless mess.

How come you couldn’t have finished it how you started?

How could you just leave me; departed?

Love, don’t bother me!

Clever how you clouded my mind and blinded me from the signs.

Signs to where I should have cautioned or been more alert.

At least then I could’ve shielded myself from the inevitable hurt.

Do you know how many tears I shed?

Are you aware of the many sleepless nights I was forced to replay the memories over and over in my head?

I never asked for you to come into my world.

Putting me in the category of being one more broken hearted girl.

You really have discouraged me from looking for it.

I don’t mind it finding me cause I’m not looking for shit!

Damn, I loved the thought of being in love.

I wanted to be in that love and being loved club.

Love, don’t bother me!

I’m through with the games, can’t you see?

My foolish heart has given up; it’s had enough.

When a heart is broken, the body and mind is fragile and weak.

Leaving me to pick it up, piece by piece.

Tears that I cry are wasted and useless.

The mind knew what the ignorant heart didn’t; now I’m stuck by my lonesome looking stupid, so good riddens.

Flee! Leave me! Geeze!

I’m cool, my heart is at ease.

So don’t come round here asking for one more last chance.

I’ve been there, done that, man.

Please, just leave me be.

Please…

Love, don’t bother me!

 

Watch the video below to see how I envision a perfect Valentine’s Day with a significant other and how it differs with a guy’s point of view with my fellow Talon friend, Travis. ENJOY!

12.12.12 "BEST DAY EVER!"

By: Georgia Trevor

So once again, I’ve gotten the awesome-est chance to experience another year where all of the numbers are the same. Since I won’t get to see a day like this happen until another million kajillion years from now, I have documented my day basically summed up. The significance for this date differs from person to person. For me, it was truly a memorable day that I got the joy of documenting on video. Hope you can catch my sarcasm throughout my whole video! Enjoy J

Let Me Introduce Our Pres...2012!

By: Georgia Trevor

November 6, 2012. The day all of America has been waiting for finally arrived. Who won???
President Barack Obama won yet another term to fix what the previous President (not saying any names, *cough* Bush) has caused.
President Obama's reelection campaign took Ohio and thus the election shortly after 8:13 p.m., NBC News reported.

Being a first time voter and seeing that my vote made a difference in my COUNTY (since MO decided to be majority Romney), I felt part of something huge and it feels good to know my vote counted towards something as huge as this!

I for one am not surprised by his win but at the time I was sweating bullets because the numbers were not in my favor on the news channels.
Many rejoiced while others didn't take the loss quite well.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

I'm a sore winner at times.
To be cordial, Romney gave Barack great competition and together I'm sure they can negotiate some ideas for how OBAMA can better America and have us see his vision for a better Us as one.
YES WE CAN...CHANGE...Obama's our Man!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT???

By: Georgia Trevor

Bullying ENDS NOW

By Georgia Trevor

Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior that is intentional, hurtful, physical, psychological, and/or threatening and persistent. There is an imbalance of strength; power and dominance. The problem occurs when this is a continuous situation that doesn’t stop as generations evolve. Bullying hurts and worst instance, it kills.

   Did you know that Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University?

   According to statistics reported by ABC News, nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying 

   25% of teachers see nothing wrong with bullying or putdowns and consequently intervene in only 4% of bullying incidents.

   Children and adolescents who bully thrive on controlling or dominating others.  They have often been the victims of physical abuse or bullying themselves.

I’m sure many have heard about the Canadian teenager, Amanda Todd who sadly was bullied so much, it’s reported that she committed suicide. Mind you, before her death, she had tried consuming bleach. She was rushed to the hospital to get it pumped out of her body. When she recovered, nasty remarks on her facebook page about how she should try harder to kill herself or try the same action again because she clearly hadn’t done it right were all over her wall.

I guess my real question is, when will this cycle stop? Why can’t bullying go away as fast as seasonal fashion? Bullying hurts. It leaves scars, whether visibly seen, or not. That doesn’t stop the pain from being any less. Whether it’s physical, verbal, cyber, whatever! It’s hateful and it gets its point across. Being bullied is a silent cry because no one sees it sometimes but those tears are as real as the pain inflicted because of it.

I once was a victim of bullying some odd years ago. It was hurtful, discouraging and it left me feeling alone because no one could relate or cared to understand that I couldn’t just tell the people off. They always came back. From my situation, those very bullies either apologized later on as the years passed and I became my own person WITH A VOICE, or they are actually good buds of mine. Ironic. Though the wounds healed, I still have this strong hate for bullying. It’s always done to those who are different or just can’t stand up for themselves. It’s so unfair!

But what’s happening now is, it’s getting the attention that’s necessary. There’s hotlines, sites and even well-known celebrities speaking on how bullying needs to stop! Positive things like that really have an impact on youth.

“It gets better. It seems hard, you know, I think being different is always gonna be a tough climb. There's always gonna be people that are scared of it. But at the end of the day you give those bullies, those people, that are so ignorant, if you give them the power to affect you, you're letting them win. And they don't deserve that. What you're doing by being yourself is you're keeping it real, and you're being really brave.” -Adam Lambert

Whoever said bullying was cool must not have been!

Sites for encouragement:

www.pacer.org/bullying

www.dig4kids.org/Bully-Prevention

www.lighthouse-services.com/

www.cyberbullyhotline.com

Don’t Be About It, TWEET About It

By: Georgia Trevor

I'd rather," deadpans Philippa Grogan, 16, "give up, like, a kidney than my phone. How did you manage before? Carrier pigeons? Letters? Going round each others' houses on BIKES?" This is an excerpt from the Guardian News online which caught my attention. What the girl said was basically how many teens these days think and strongly feel. Our phones are our lives. Technology has made us anti social in many ways.

Walking Avila University’s campus is pretty much as follows: Students walking, earphones in, phones out either changing the song or on some sort of social network, whether it be Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. This is my generation. This is what happens when technology upgrades and we become a product of being raised by technology.

 This somewhat interests me.

 Did you know that it starts as young as age twelve that kids own a phone? When I was twelve, I was fighting my big brother to get off of the computer so I can PAINT ON OUR COMPUTER SCREEN THINGY MAJIG!

 “I have a phone, Ipod and this house computer might as well be mine. I’m the only one who knows how to work it forreal. I have Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I have a lot to say and all of my friends have one,” Serina Trevor, 8^th grader stated to me, as if it were a no-brainer question I asked.

 According to Guardian News, more than 80% of phone-owning teens also use them to take pictures (and 64% to share those pictures with others). Sixty percent listen to music on them, 46% play games, 32% swap videos and 23% access social networking sites!

 According to Jonathan McKee, author, and president of The Source for Youth Ministry kids declared that teens are now soaking in 10 hours and 45 minutes per day of media in a mere 7 hours and 38 minutes. (This requires multitasking. In other words, they are listening to iTunes while browsing the web, all while the TV is on in the background.)

 Me, myself, I wake up and check my phone as if it were the daily news. I check my texts first, go to Twitter, then Instagram then Facebook. I’m sure to have a couple notifications I NEED to check. This is life. I rather text you than call you or talk to you in person. I usually have nothing to say in person if you’re just a social media “friend.” If you aren’t my parents, family members, best friend or a special someone, there is NO reason for you to call me. This is just how I feel. So to sum it up, media is ruling many other teens’ lives and I’m not ashamed to say mine as well.

 We are the technology generation.

 “We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” -Carl Sagan

 Technology has made us anti social in many ways.

Our Generation Got It Wrong

 By: Georgia Trevor

"Our generation really does seem to have priorities messed up. It's sad because it's a way of life now for us, sadly," Longview student, Kara Fatseas stated about how she thinks our generation is today.

Alexis Lampkin states "I'm in no place to talk but I see the big picture and I realize things that mattereed then, is irrelevant now because we belieieve it's our "right". Like it wasn't fought for back then."

So I’m sittin here thinking, man are we messed up. You see, I happen to live in a world that’s corrupt; just my luck. What I mean to say is that things are twisted in today’s day and age. For further understanding, let me try to elaborate. Let me set the scene:

A girl gets pregnant, in her early teens. She was the whole package; with a mouth so mean, a body like no other and a swagger so unseen. So it’s only right that she got all the looks, mind on the irrelevant instead of on the books. Until she meets this guy that tells her blissful lies. But she can’t see as far as the eye. So with the guy, she furthers their relation. She’s convinced that she’s in love; she’s never felt this type of sensation. Couple months later, she’s feeling uneasy. Her body’s feeling different and her stomach’s feeling queasy. You see, that very same guy, that caught baby girl’s eye, took something of hers you can’t just go out and buy. So now she’s pregnant with a baby that ole dude is saying maybe to. “How could it be mine when I strapped up, boo? You trynna set me up, I ain’t no foo!” He’s saying everything she’d never expected him to. “What do you mean you don’t know if it’s by you? You trynna leave me on my own?!? Remember it took two!” So now a single mother out there on her own. Friends abandoned her and her parents disowned, with no one but herself, she’s out there all alone. Sadly, this is pretty normal for us today; a tragedy. But it’s the truth when you wanna be “grown” and end up losing your youth casually.

My Generation Got It Wrong.

A young kid, no older than one six, got a couple things in his bag and I ain’t talkin about tricks. Instead of making it on time to class, first block, he’s outside of the school, slingin rocks. Eyes roaming round while he’s grippin on his glock. Mama never cared and Daddy was never there. Teacher gave him false hopes, dealing with the cards he was dealt; unfair. Street smart; can’t learn what he knows from sittin at no desk and in no seat. Money is what he’s after, the root of all evil; greed. He’s got to live, and a nigga’s gotta eat. Sadly, this is reality, money over everything; a young brotha’s mentality. This is how you get respect. They believe these fallacies! When in all actuality, you go and live by the streets; you die by em, a casualty.

My Generation Got It Wrong.

Since when was it cool to cut up in school. When did being a man consist of carrying round a tool? Why are girls so thirsty for attention? Feeling psyched up for a measly little twitter mention? Clothes, close to none. Hitting up clubs, getting the wrong type of publicity is their idea of fun? Bad bitch is what they aim for. They don’t see that they’ve reached the status of a whore. Then when they want love the same dudes that left them feelin used got the real ladies cuffed. When are we gonna break this chain? All of this ignorance is enough to drive a person insane. We’ve taken stupidity to a whole new level. Damaging the minds of angels and shaking hands with the devil. Disguised to believe things in this world are possible; land of the free. Feeble minded people not caring to see, this world was never for us but those in the past fought for what we now have; we owe those that made history. Instead you smoke weed and drinking Amsterdam. Broadcasting it, uploading pictures on Instagram.  Fresh outfits and pictures of your money you got stashed have made their way to becoming your facebook stat. Stupid dude, the government controls everything! Or did you not know. Or were you living by this stupid motto they call Y.O.L.O!?

My Generation Got It Wrong.

Now I’m not trynna preach like I’m looking down on those who live like this. Make no mistake, I made sure to look at myself, I’m no hypocrite. I just happen to observe my environment. I’m not trying to be too old before I can enjoy my retirement. I know where I came from and where I plan to go. I’m writing this in hopes that you can walk with me the same road. I know I still have ways ahead but I can’t turn back to this world that’s dead. I don’t want to be another statistic. I’m trynna express the urgency in this 911 emergency situation. It’s logistics. My generation is broken, who’s trying to join me to fix it?

My Generation Got It Wrong.

"You guys are our future. Sadly, that scares me. Terribly." -Linda Trevor

Things Are All Right When Different Worlds Unite

By: Georgia Trevor

Unity-The state of being one; a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.

Thursday afternoon, Avila University held an event called International Day where international students from different parts of the world came together in a way like none other. They all pitched in and cooked lunch for everyone to try and enjoy. What better way to get to your heart than getting to your stomach first? It was a huge success, of course! Everyone came out to sample foods from around the world made from students with different cultures. Having witnessed this grand event, you could guess how thrilled I was to write about it.

“It’s a good thing, that way races can unite and sample a part of a different culture. It’s fun, the food is sooo good and everyone’s having a great time coming together! Ms. Ollie Thibeaux wasn’t the first proclaiming this about the event and surely wasn’t the last!

 “We like the idea of cooking for you all. We cooked it and everyone is eating,” China native student, Jiaqi G. told me with great enthusiasm.

“I and my friend cooked. I really like this idea. It’s so fun and we can try many foods from many cultures as well as the fun in cooking the dishes! Vietnam native student, Anh Nguyen stated.

“We think it’s great to show people what a Kansas City tradition is by serving some Jack Stacks Barbeque Beans. It’s a great way to introduce cultures and for international students to cook for us as well,” said Nurse Carol Frevert and Ms. Debbie. USA.

All the excitement was whirling in Avila’s Cafeteria and everyone was welcome! Students, Faculty and Commuters joined together to share laughter, smiles, fun and food. What better kind of party could it have been?!? We had China, Vietnam, U.S.A., Japan, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia in the house representin’. From mariachi performers to flags from all over the world to cultured music, Avila was how you’d say CRACKIN!

“It’s interesting how there’s different cultures and people that usually clash together, coming together eating and having a good ole’ fashioned get together,” student, Jordan T.A. Stephens boomed.

Remember Like It Was Yesterday…

By: Georgia Trevor 

Close your eyes and picture this:

A little girl in class with friends doing what normal third grade students do; work, joking etc. Suddenly, the teacher gets called from her room to talk with another teacher. Worry and confusion etched on the little girl’s face because she’s only hearing bits and pieces of the conversation; ear hustler. Teacher comes in and announces in a way the kids could all understand, that something big has happened, yadda, yadda… New York City… blah blah… Planes Crashed… Building. When all was said and done, that’s all the little girl heard before her heart started to race. Next thing she knew, she was en route home to be with her family who were worried and concerned. You see, this little girl had family all over and her most favorite aunt happened to live right near Manhattan. No one heard from this aunt nor knew anything of her whereabouts. This news was threatening to ruin everything she had come to love. That little girl was me.

Open your eyes.

Everyone can recall if not everything, something that they remember about September 11, 2001.

Smoke filled streets, yelling, searching, noises, cries, tear streaked faces, firemen, policemen, loved ones, shattered buildings; shattered hearts. All of this is what took place and sadly, will forever replay its dreadful memories inside everyone’s heads who hearts jerked when it happened.

The world stopped and came together to reach out to those in need.

“I was in class when it happened; Bronx, New York, about seventh or eighth grade. A teacher came to privately speak with my teacher outside the classroom. I could see that the teacher was crying. We [students] began to worry that maybe someone died in her family. The school announced to us that something had happened in Manhattan and we were to be dismissed early. All I saw was teachers around crying while we [students] looked on, confused and not understanding what was truly going on,” student, Reginald Addy recalled. “When I got home, I looked outside my window and could see the smoke and dust.”

“I was in Haiti in high school when it happened. Teacher was talking then all of a sudden another teacher came into the classroom and turned on the news for us all to see how the event of things happened. I saw the World Trade Center and the news line read something about an attack. Everyone began panicking because we all knew or had someone that lived in New York. School was let out early for us to reflect on this day,” Mr. Jacobs Anonymous recalls. “It’s a huge reminder of how efficient it is to have cover ups and be on your toes!”

Clearly this wasn’t just something you could or even would want to ignore. It hit close to home all over the world.

“I just wanted it to all be a bad nightmare. My sister could have been in harm’s way. She was right there and I was here. Helpless. My heart goes out to all who were affected,” Linda Trevor, recalled.

Many are left empty and many others are stuck with the memories that invade their minds. One thing is for sure, we all can remember it like it was yesterday…

What was it that you remember about 9/11? Go ahead and comment below so you too can share your story.

Photo courtesy of Google Images