The cover of my new single is a picture of me. If I remember correctly, this was my 2nd grade school photo. If I'm not conflating two events, I believe I gave myself this haircut in the days leading up to picture day. Not sure why I cut my own hair, but the gods were definitely playing a trick with the timing. Here it is, forever memorialized. There's more.
Here's the deal, though. This kid - a product of two divorces, a mom far too proud to return home and accept her mother's help, public schools in small town rural Ohio, and no haircutting skills to mention - he did okay for himself. Sure he lives in a big city now, but he's created a small town within it for himself. This morning, when he walked into the bank around the corner from his house, the guy at the counter called him by name. Malik - that's his banker's name - asked about his music and his gun violence prevention non profits.
This kid could have ended up a lot worse than this. It hasn't always been easy, but it was made better through the love and support of people around him, a love and support he tried to radiate out into the community.
This is the the theme of this song: you can't give up on a kid. Even if they are irascible (this kid was the subject of multiple individual parent conferences and trips to the office.) Even if they are sharp-tongued. Even if they stole so many things from the local IGA that they were given away by the sheer volume of items in their pockets.
Don't ask what the problem is with the youth today. They are reacting to their situation. Our work is to love them, guide them, show them the better way. Demonstrate love and compassion, and explain the reason for making good decisions, and the harm caused by bad decisions.