Remembering Nipsey Hussle

by with 5 Comments CultureFeatured

One of the biggest stories of 2019… 

On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Ermias Davidson Asghedom aka Nipsey Hussle, was unfortunately shot six times in front of his clothing store, Marathon Clothing, in Los Angeles, California. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. 

For millions of fans who were familiar with his music, he was more than just a rapper. He was an entrepreneur, business owner, real estate investor, community philanthropist, a husband, a father, and an inspiration to millions of inner-city youth in his Crenshaw neighborhood and other hoods throughout the country. 

Celebrities, rappers, athletes, and other prominent figures took to Twitter to pay their respect and show love for the slain 33-year-old Nipsey. But the majority of people mourning will never be one of the latter, instead, just everyday people who respected his music and mission to make a difference for so many people. The pain is real and he will be missed, forever. 

Here’s what some of them had to say… 

“Man, real tears! I can’t remember the last time I cried this much… smh… I’ve been going to LA since I was 4-years-old… hella different from Detroit, but it was all love. I listened to his music faithfully… every day for the past 10 years. This shit hurts.” – A. Murray, Detroit, MI

“I wasn’t intimately familiar with Nipsey’s artwork as a rapper but I was introduced to his work as an activist and change agent for good a few years ago. We shared similar visions and values so I am saddened to hear of his life being senselessly snuffed out. I am hopeful that the outpouring of grief will drive us to collectively continue his mission.” – Soulful Silverback, NYC

“It seems he was a man ahead of his time. Take away the rapper Nipsey… let’s speak on the influence of the man named Ermias Asghedom. He used his outlet… as well as his knowledge to teach and help us as people do better and build our self-worth. To me, he is now a leader that left us too soon but will always be honored and never forgotten. We’re going to keep your Victory Lap and legacy going until the end because we as the people have to protect the ones that stand for bettering the Black community and the culture of Hip-Hop as a whole.” – L. Benzo, NYC

“We will feel this loss forever. Hussle was a man who practiced what he preached and led his life with honor and respect. He’s planted many seeds along his life and now that he’s gone, it’s up to us to water them and help them grow. Work harder, give more and never forget where you came from. Rest easy Nipsey!” – Center Left HR, Washington, DC

“Nipsey brought an element to rap music that was missing. His energy, swagger, ability to educate and heart was something that isn’t present in today’s music. He made sure you knew where he was from and how he wanted to educate his community on economic empowerment. Gone way too soon but will never be forgotten. This generation’s Tupac Shakur.” – J. Malone, Detroit, MI

“It appears the more “woke” you are and the more you chose to do for the people and not the man, the greater the threat you are to them and bigger the target you become.”  – Professional Athlete, Southeast

“Nipsey’s death is tragic and unexpected. He was a dope artist and more importantly a young Black entrepreneur who was giving back to his community. Many people do not understand how difficult it is to be successful, be a father, and stay alive as a young Black man, particularly those of us from low-income high-crime areas. Nipsey has now become yet another alarming statistic in the midst of success and fatherhood and all I can do as a young Black father and entrepreneur myself is pray and continue to make positive strides and influence those I encounter with the same values. This is a cold world and unfortunately, this “change” we all hope for is very far away when you consider the fact that this incident happened right outside of his own neighborhood business. Sad reality that we all have to swallow.” – J. Hampton, Atlanta, GA

“Nipsey was a once in a generation type artist, but not for his pure lyricism or superior metaphoric wordsmith. Nipsey spoke to the people in ways many legends never could. He spoke to the millennial hip-hop enthusiast that grew up in between the Golden Era and Trap Era of hip-hop. I personally met and discovered Nipsey during his first NYC promo run for his first mixtape in 2008 and I immediately became enamored with his maturity and authenticity. His early rhymes took you on a West Coast journey, placing you in his Lincoln Towncar riding through the streets of Compton. As his music and career grew, I personally felt as a fan that I grew alongside him. Both being born in 85′. I listened to his music less feeling like a super fan but more like a distant peer. Motivating me to go harder, creating my own lanes but embracing vulnerability to acknowledging the many trials and tribulations life brings. These raw emotions most artists cannot tap into. We didn’t just lose a rapper, we lost a new generational leader of hip-hop ready to take the torch and run our marathon.” – D. Faulkner, NYC 

“The Loss of Nipsey Hussle is a huge blow to the Hip-Hop culture. I didn’t know him. I never met him. I loved his music. I loved his message of independence, sustainability, and economic empowerment for HIS community. My condolences to his family, children and loved ones. We lost a true warrior on 3/31/19. May his legacy inspire greatness in each of us. Long live Neighborhood Nip aka Nipsey Hussle born Ermias Asghedom.” – S.B. Webb, Atlanta, GA 

“Success, in a different light. That’s who Nipsey was to me. Finally a version of success that was attainable. Finally a form of success that looked like us, belonged to us, and that talked like us, and that really made a difference. That’s why Nipsey’s death hurts so many of us. He didn’t lose who he was or his principles. He knew success wasn’t his, but of his community. His work provided opportunity to overcome the bad around him, the drugs, the gangs, the violence. He worked to build the community back up even though it was handed it to him broken. For this man to be killed in front of what he built makes it seem like once again the dream of success was close but not achievable and out of reach.” – Center Single Mom, Washington, DC

“It’s difficult losing young Black men who are perfect messengers regarding the positive influences we need in African-American culture. As a young Black man who often speaks to teens about transitioning into adulthood, it’s not easy to get through, so when you have those messengers taken from us before their full impact can be felt, it’s devastating. Hopefully, Nipsey’s words are felt far and wide and folks take it to heart. We need more influential African-Americans in our communities showing what success can and should look like.” – M. Taylor, Detroit, MI 

“Although I was very familiar with Nipsey Hussle, I didn’t know the extent of his knowledge, intellect, and service until recently. Since his death, I have been consumed with getting to know more about him beyond music. There aren’t too many artists who inspire me to be a better human. Tupac was one of them and now Nipsey is on that list. I truly believe he was here on an assignment and fulfilled it. We will be better because he was here.” – E. Williams, Memphis, TN
“I have been following this young man’s music since he started. I’m definitely a fan of West Coast music so of course, you would hear about this young dude from Crenshaw. I thought he might be related to Snoop by blood but they’re related by Cuz (60’s). Funny how the greats have similar blessings with similar fates although some are still with us. I don’t believe in conspiracies but I also don’t believe in coincidence. Either way, we’ve lost a Great Young Man who was for us and mobilizing our people in his community and beyond. He should be memorized as the great man that he lived to be. #RIPNIP” – C. Major, Detroit, MI

This article was originally published on 1 April 2019.

What did Nipsey’s music and life mean to you? Share with us by commenting below or emailing us at info@box5351.temp.domains.

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A REUNION IN LAGOS

by with One Comment CultureFeatured

You know that scene from Back to the Future? The one where Marty McFly, the main character, delivers a thrilling rendition of the song “Johnny B. Goode” on that red guitar?

It’s one of my favorites.

During that scene, Marty is on stage with a band called “Marvin Berry and the Starlighters.” As Marty continues to rip on the strings, Marvin can’t believe his ears. He runs to call his cousin, Chuck Berry, the famous musician who actually sang the original song in real life:

“Chuck, Chuck! It’s Marvin,” he said. “You know that new sound you were looking for? Well, listen to THIS!”

Listen to this….

In 2015, I received a similar phone call from my friend Ian who’s like family to me. At the time, he was working for an American multinational corporation while on rotation in Lagos, Nigeria.

Ian was so excited. He was telling me all about this new sound he’d encountered one night in Lagos. He described the sound as a combination of Jamaican Dancehall and American Pop music.

Now I knew I could trust Ian’s musical taste. Ever since I met the guy twenty-five years ago, we’ve spent countless nights dancing to Reggae music well into the early hours of the morning. While I tend to rumble around like a fool, Ian is actually a good dancer. He smoothly glides around the floor and he never seems to get tired. The guy can also pick up just about any dance move within seconds.

So when he sent me a few Afrobeat songs, I wasn’t surprised that I got hooked and couldn’t get enough of this new delightful rhythm.

Ian, who had been stationed in Nigeria for four months, quickly fell head over heels in love. I’ll never forget when he came back because he couldn’t stop talking about his life there. The people, the food, the accents, the clothing. He was gushing. So I promised him I would visit Lagos one day.

Then I met his friend, Chukwudubem (or “Dubem” for short). The instant you meet Dubem you just get a good vibe from him. He’s a salt of the earth kind of guy. A cool, laid-back, soft-spoken gentleman who quietly makes his presence known in whatever room he’s in. I met Dubem in 2016 when I was partying with Ian near his new rotation in Dubai. Dubem was born and raised in Nigeria and the more I talked to him, the more curious I got about Lagos.

Over the course of my stay in Dubai, we talked for what felt like for hours and when I returned home we continued to message one another on WhatsApp. I’d ask him questions like: What did he think of Black Lives Matter? Who’s better: Patoranking or Gyptian? What did he think of Black Panther?

Sometimes I wanted to get his perspective on a certain topic. And other times (I have to admit) I wanted him to validate a point that I had been debating with my American friends on the African diaspora.

With every exchange, my curiosity continued to grow. Then one day he mentioned he was getting married to a beautiful Nigerian woman whom he had met in Dubai. He shared that he may not be able to extend an official wedding invite but that I was welcome to tag along with Ian. If the stars aligned I may even be able to attend the after party.

“So you’re saying I can crash your wedding?!” I replied.

He said “yes”! Soon after that, I bought a ticket to Lagos. I’d take off in December.

A few months before we left, I had received an email from 23andMe informing me that they had been able to drill deeper to clarify my ancestry results. Previously, my results showed that I was generally 58% African, 33% European, and 6% Native American. I opened the app on my phone and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the highest percentage of my African ancestry is from—you guessed it—Nigeria!

I am typically never one to get excited about trips abroad until a few days before I leave. However, I had been excited about this trip for months. Between constantly listening to Afrobeat music, to meeting Dubem, and the recent discovery of my Nigerian ancestry, the anticipation for this trip had surpassed any feeling that I had ever had stepping onto an airplane.

But beneath the excitement there was a bit of unease. Here I was onboard a midnight ten-hour direct flight across the Atlantic Ocean to return to a continent that I had never physically been. My mind was racing with questions like:

What if the Nigerians weren’t friendly towards me?

I never go anywhere for eleven days … What if I get bored while I am there for so long?

What if being an American Afro-Latino kid from Brooklyn is not welcome by the people I encounter?

What the hell am I going to wear to this wedding?

Do I know enough dance moves to keep up with Ian?

What if my ancestors were never stolen off the continent to begin with?

When I arrived in Nigeria, I was quickly taken aback by all of the commotion. Apparently, Christmas time in Nigeria is the busiest season of the year. Many Nigerians return from abroad to visit family for the holidays so the streets are jammed with traffic. The humid air is filled with the melodic percussions of Afrobeat music pouring out of every car and bar. Sometimes even today I hear that symphony in my head — the ruckus of the cars, the horns and irresistible beat of “Able God” — and I can’t help but break out my finest Shaku Shaku dance.

All of the top Nigerian musicians are in town. Their concert billboards were plastered everywhere. For me, it’s like a Who’s Who of all the artists I had come to love over the years. I can only imagine that this is what Detroit must have been like during the Motown era in the 60s or the Bronx during the birth of hip-hop in the early 80s.

The club scene is electric. Filled wall to wall with joyous dancing Black bodies. It’s a beautiful sight to behold.

One night, I was doing my usual rumble on the dancefloor when Ian taps me on the shoulder to leave. But I was feeling the vibe and it was only 1 a.m. I wanted more.

“Why are we leaving?” I asked. “The music is so good here!”

A sly smile creeped across Ian’s face, “The music is good everywhere in Lagos!” he replied.

Ian wasn’t exaggerating. Every club we went to had amazing music. Every now and then the DJ would play two or three American songs but that’s it.

After a week of clubbing every night I had taken on the moniker, “Chike from BK.” A nod to my roots but still a label of my difference. We had debated if I might be of the Hausa or Igbo tribe. And ultimately settled on Igbo because of my stature and regal demeanor (kidding).

But alas we were nearing the end of our voyage. The day had arrived for the first of two wedding ceremonies. First, the traditional wedding which was a beautiful tribal ceremony that joined the two families as one and felt more “African.” Then two days later, the “White” wedding which was a more Western style ceremony with a lavish reception. I was ready to immerse myself into these rich cultural experiences.

I’ve been a groomsmen in an inordinate amount of weddings back home. Just off the top of my head I can count about ten, so I understand the jitters of a wedding day. Regardless of my involvement, I always try my best to stay in the periphery and be as helpful as I can to keep the day flowing smoothly. Sometimes I throw in a joke or two to keep the mood light.

Dubem had reached out to get my clothing measurements before I arrived in Lagos so I wouldn’t feel left out. To my surprise, on the morning of the traditional wedding ceremony, I learned that I would be dressed exactly like the groomsmen. I felt a strong sense of belonging as I put on my brown hat, white top, and what can only be described as a pink wrap skirt.

I was ready to attend this meaningful cultural ceremony but still wanted to add a little Brooklyn flavor to my outfit so I slightly tilted my hat to the side.

Before the ceremony, the wedding party began to take pictures and I watched observantly on the sidelines. Then suddenly, Dubem invited me to join them as if I were a member of his family. Stunned, I initially declined as I felt out of place. Most of the members of the wedding party were lifelong friends of the bride and groom.

I don’t know about you, but my parents and I have gone through their wedding photos many times over years and I have asked about every single person represented in those photographs. I was honored that this Afro-Latino kid from Brooklyn by way of Grenada, Puerto Rico, and Cape Verde would forever be documented in Dubem and Ore’s wedding photos.

Maybe one day when their children point to me in their wedding photos they can tell my story.

Maybe they can tell their children about our collective story as we across the African diaspora continue to reconnect with our roots.

Maybe they can share with their children that love — the love of music, the love amongst friends, and the romantic love between partners — has always brought us together.

As I stood there with the sound of cameras flashing, I began to reflect on my ancestors. Their son was back home for the first time. They’d be happy to know this son of theirs was welcomed back by one of his best friends Ian, embraced by his new friend Chukwudubem, and moved to dance by Afrobeats into the wee morning hours. As I envision our ancestor’s benediction upon us, I see our reunion bringing a smile to their faces.

…That’s the new sound I was looking for. The sound of belonging. 

I’m Tired of “Wokeness”

by with One Comment CultureFeaturedGen Z

Wokeness. You’ve heard of this term. If you are a member of the Black community, you most likely have come across this term through everyday vernacular and if you are a student of color in college, this word has been thrown around in almost any conversation regarding equality rights and progress for underrepresented individuals in depreciated communities. Wokeness is a mental state coined by people of color declaring knowledge upon the current marginalization of Blacks, women, Latinx, LGBT+, poor, and working-class groups. What may have started out as genuinely powerful philosophy has transformed into a popular term. One that has enforced a mentality that progress is only through performative wokeness rather than different intellectual, conversational, and communal spheres.

I’m tired of “wokeness”. Because those who have used it have used it solely to advance their own purposes. We regurgitate the same information. We select individuals and praise them to push their agenda of “wokeness” that services individualistic people in the group. In the Black community specifically, social justice warriors tend to service straight BLack men the most. Their prerogatives seek to validate and confirm old information. Although this information is important and should be supported. Communities of color specifically Black communities have evolved into popularism and elitism online. Social Justice Warriors are influenced by who follows them as well as their audience. Black culture sells. And social movements are sometimes the sole proprietors of mass profit. If not “woke” individuals are benefitting from social enterprise, they benefit from popularism.

We thrive off popularism – especially within the college atmosphere. Where social media likes, retweets, and reblogs dictate and reinforce our success and popularity. As fluid and beneficial social media pages can be i.e. sparking movements like Black Lives Matter, pushing for clemency against wrongly indicted women, and exposing sexual offenders for the world to see, online popularity and social media effects are detracting from real-life conversations, progress and success that would be exhibited in college culture today, all masked in the ideology of wokeness.

However, wokeness has been tested time and time again in the real infringement and harm of certain populations. When media influencers that we love say something against the most popular rhetoric, when we disagree within a marginalized community there is an urge to cast out these people and continue a paradigm of “wokeness”. It’s a hierarchal approach that detracts and limits our conversations on how to fix certain aspects within Black communities. It makes popularism and what is most agreed upon the agenda of engagement instead of encouraging difficult conversations within educational institutions. I am not advocating for limiting knowledge on the difficulties that minority and certain populations go through. Instead, I am advocating for the humanization of these groups. That they are victims of systemic oppressions but also that they can be limiting to their approach of engaging different dialogue across lines. And until we eliminate performative wokeness, we cannot grow our community affairs, detracting from our philosophy of growth and progress.

The Struggle Is Black, The Word Is Black

by with No Comment CultureFeaturedRace Relations

Language is a social contract. We agree on the meaning of words and consequently we can communicate.

We agree that some words are offensive so that we can use them to offend. If “f*ck you!” was not offensive, then it would have no meaning when we said it to someone we were angry with. 

Offensive words are generally determined in the aggregate, via all of the mechanisms of culture: Media, Communities, Families, Government, Entertainers, and so on.

So who is allowed to say the N-Word?

Generally, it is impolite to comment on someone who is overweight as being “fat.” A person who has weight issues may self-ridicule, but to address that person’s issues for them is commonly considered offensive or cruel.

Likewise, it is rude to call someone ugly or hideous if they are disfigured or unfortunately featured (whatever that may mean, after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder). 

Weight and appearance struggles belong to the individuals that bare them.

So, I would say that the N-Word represents centuries of torture, murder, rape, ridicule, and exclusion endured by African-Americans, and therefore the word belongs to them.

The word was (and sadly still is) used as a weapon specifically against African-Americans. To defang the word, the Black Community over the last century has taken the N-Word from racists and claimed it as their own. This seems just.

The struggle is Black, the word is Black.

In short: America’s social contract regarding the N-Word is that African-Americans can use it however they see fit and it is simply off limits for other Americans.

Most all Americans agree to this contract, at least the ones who understand privilege and history. Even racists tend to fear the word because of how strong the national understanding has become, and how damaging the punishment for misuse.

Are there exceptions? There are always exceptions, but I’d say that even the exceptions are determined by the Black Community – which is also a nebulous concept, comprised of Families, Media, respected Celebrities, etc.

“But why do Black people get to say something and not me? That’s racist!,” says the ignorant person who is unable to understand historical nuance and the complexity of linguistics.

Using the N-Word assumes ownership of the word, and the majority of our modern society has decided that non-Black people simply don’t own it.

Even non-Black people who are extremely allied to the Black Community and given permission in their own Black social circles to use the word generally understand not to say it outside of those limited, friendly circumstances. One person may have a social contract with his or her friends, but this does not typically extend into the rest of society (until the issue has resolved once and for all everywhere in the country).

Will there come a day when anyone can use the word without offense? Will the N-Word ultimately share a status with other historically racist words that no longer offend anyone because the group of people the word insults is no longer disenfranchised? Perhaps.

But until that day, if I am asked: “Can non-Black people say the N-Word?” 

I would say, “No. At least not until the Black Community says yes.” 

Music’s Influence On My Generation

by with One Comment Gen Z

For many teenagers like myself, music is a major part of our lives. We listen to it often, when we’re completing assignments, walking in the school hallway, or just for entertainment. There are sometimes heated debates among friends over who should be crowned the best. Who’s the most skilled rapper? Which singer has the greatest voice? Which album topped all of the others in terms of content this year? On social media, we follow our favorite music artists and have an insight into their lives and characters. With the heavy infiltration of music culture, it can definitely have some sort of influence.

Most celebrities post much of their lives on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat for the world to view. Huge mansions, new expensive cars like Porsches, Lamborghinis, and things such as Gucci jackets and belts, designer dresses, handbags, diamond-covered Rolex watches, and gigantic chains are on display. Well-known rappers like Lil Pump and the Migos are great examples of endorsing a materialistic lifestyle, perhaps without recognizing it. Quavo says in the Migo’s Walk It Talk It track, “Get your respect in diamonds ( ice, ice, ice, ice), I bought a Plain Jane Rollie,” a Rollie being a Rolex. The implication of this line seems to be the more material things you possess, the more people will like you. Of course, there are some of us, like me, which this life doesn’t appeal to. However, there are many of my peers who aspire to own luxury cars like Rolls-Royces and wear expensive brands like Balenciaga’s and Versace, simply because many artists mention them often in songs or wear them. They may even be after social acceptance and praise.

It is difficult for one to say that music doesn’t impact us even in small ways. When we hear our favorite song, we want to dance and sing along. For some of us, the content of lyrics has no effect. But for others, it does have an effect… in much more noticeable ways.

Do you agree? If so, how can we change this? 

Want to respond or share your perspective? Please leave a comment or subscribe and register to write.

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CULTURE CON REVIEW: BLACK PEOPLE AT PEACE

by with No Comment CultureFeatured

Remember what it felt like when you walked into Toys R Us (R.I.P. to my guy Geoffrey) as a kid? You almost dislocated your parents shoulder out of the socket you’d be so eager to race towards the aisles. You’d see the other children playing with all the newest toys with joy on their faces.

That’s what it felt like to be at Culture Con 2018. Except this time there was no proverbial parent holding me back from indulging in Black Boy Joy. Culture Con is an amazing one day conference that embodied, both visually and audibly, what it feels like to be a black creative in New York City. There were artists of all ilks represented in the room where it happened.

The color pallette featured the bold colors of the African diaspora encapsulated in an exposed brick Industrial event space on the Brooklyn and Queens border. Half of the space highlighted the corporate sponsors who have invested in growing their Black consumer base. Companies like Essence, BET, Dove, Tidal, and Vaseline to name a few. In the front of the space is where the inspiration bellowed out. Interviews were headlined by John Legend, Charlamagne Tha God, La La Anthony, and hosted by Taylor Rooks.

All of the speakers offered a wealth of information and encouragement on how to best tap into their creative inspirations. I could write full pieces on the pearls of wisdom that were spoken in that room but the one that jumped out to me the most was by 23 year old Tyler Mitchell. Mitchell, the first black photographer to shoot a Vogue cover in their 126 year history, shot the iconic Beyonce cover back in September 2018. While the audience gushed over the thought of being six degrees of separation from Queen Beyonce herself, Mitchell spoke of the inspiration behind his photographs, “In my work I try to elevate the Black body into not being a thing… I just want to shoot photos of Black people at peace.”

Black people at peace? Black people at peace? Black people at peace?

The words are still ringing in my hippocampus as I continue to wonder if my people will ever be at peace with the cultural gnats that continue to nag us on a hourly basis. Let alone capturing what that would look like in high end photographs. Here’s to Tyler Mitchell as he continues on his journey!

However what was most gratifying was the collective soulful vibe of the folks who were in attendance. The style was impeccable and the unity was palpable. You could almost reach out and touch it or taste it dancing on your taste buds. There was heaps of denim, leather, silk, suede, and a smattering of statement pieces that unapologetically affirmed our blackness. My personal favorite was an all black hoodie that read, “I’m Black yall, im Black yall, im Blackity Black I’m Black yall.”

Culture Con was a modern Black Gatsby style celebration of Blackness and boy did it feel good to be surrounded by a room full of like minded humans who not only want to create but continue to leave our indelible mark on American Culture. After all as Jay-Z once said, “We are the culture. Nothing moves without us.” Nothing.

Until we meet again to experience peace and joy together, Culture Con!

The Duality of Social Media

by with 2 Comments FeaturedGen Z

Regardless of what websites you use or how you use them, social media is undoubtedly a huge part of our culture today. Today’s generation of teenagers and young adults have grown up in an age of social media and technology expansion like we’ve never seen before. Because social media is such a new concept, there are many things about it that the older generation does not seem to understand.

The way I personally view social media is kind of a love-hate relationship. Because social media has become so central to communication, especially in our generation, it’s almost more of an inconvenience not to have it. It’s like a necessary evil. Now, I don’t REALLY believe that social media is actually evil, but I’ve certainly seen the constant connection and communication have negative effects on people.

With smartphones constantly in our pockets and social media platforms just a click away, it’s nearly impossible not to be connected all the time. Because of this, people often tend to experience a sort of information overload. While staying informed, up to date, and connected is an important part of our world today, being overwhelmed by constant updates can have some pretty nasty side effects.

Increasingly more often I see people taking a break from social media, or even deleting certain platforms entirely, for mental health reasons. Bullying can be a huge problem on social media and words can have such a strong impact on people. Social media can present us with an overwhelming amount of negativity at times, which can be very stressful and mentally draining.

Constantly having to read and see what other people are doing can be very hard as well. What a lot of people don’t realize is that people only post on social media in the way they want to be viewed by the world. Posts online are never truly reflective of what’s really going on in a person’s life. It’s so easy to get lost in a newsfeed full of people on tropical vacations, out partying with friends, and achieving great successes. It’s easy to think that others have a better, more perfect life based on social media posts. It’s easy to think that your life is not as great by comparison. This is simply not true. People tend to forget that others live a life outside of social media that we cannot see. You never know what is really going on behind closed doors.

On the other hand; however, social media can also have an extremely positive influence on people. I have seen people connect on social media who would have never met otherwise. I’ve seen friendships and relationships formed online with bonds strong enough to bring people together from miles apart. I have seen people find a safe space where they can express who they are and find a community when they cannot in real life. I have seen people build entire careers and businesses from the ground up, made possible entirely by the breadth of social media’s reach.

Social media has the ability to change lives for better or for worse. It’s important that social media is used as a tool for growth and connection rather than tearing-down and isolation. Let social media be a tool to connect the world and spread information, but don’t let it take over your life. Breaks and time away from the Internet can be crucial for mental health, and it is most important to keep YOURSELF in mind as you scroll through others’ posts.