4Real on the CW

12Nov08

4Real Homepage

 

 

 

Since I was 14 or so I’ve been really into Hip Hop and learning about how Hip Hop can positively influence communities / people / etc. This was in a large part thanks to Billy ‘Upski’ Wimsatt who wrote Bomb the Suburbs and No More Prisons – two eye opening texts for a teenager to read. I started getting into being conscious of the people, places, and movements around me, and started thinking about how my actions impacted others instead of just myself (much to my parents’ surprise). 

Last weekend I was channel surfing on TV and saw 4Real on the CW Network. I understand that this show has been around in Canada for awhile (other places too?) but only recently made its debut in the U.S. From the site:

“4REAL is a series of half-hour television shows that take celebrity guests on adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are affecting real change. These are the real heroes of our time.

4REAL is an entertaining, fast paced, adventure series that allows viewers to learn about some of the most pressing issues of our time, but most importantly they tune into some of the most inspiring attitudes and initiatives addressing them.” 

Seriously. I was impressed. In the episode I saw, Mos Def (one of my favorite Hip Hop artists ever) went to The City of God in Brazil – it was an amazing journey. One about what it takes to build a community from nothing, against all odds. It was a story about hope, a story that really hit home on a number of levels. So I’d just like to take a moment to congratulate the CW on airing a show that actually aims to raise public consciousness about other people, all around the globe who are just like us / need our help / can help us / are inspiring. Way to go CW.

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