As a member of the hip hop generation and the executive director of a non-profit civic organization the line between my work and my life is increasingly merged and the glue by which it is bonded is the grind. Those of us who are fortunate to get to call “do-gooder” part of their job title also find struggle in the next paragraph of that job description. We have a passion for our missions but fight to effect change in a heartless system motivated by profit maximization – the grind is being creative to try to move the dial on some of our worlds toughest issues.
Cornel west said that there is a deep joy and ecstasy in struggle. That it is a desirable way of being in the world because it does in fact give you a sense of meaning and purpose.
As a member of the hip hop generation, what means so much to me about the culture that defined my childhood, defined so many of my milestones and the music that expanded my consciousness past the party to the purpose. That ethic of the struggle which rings true in the music, the culture that I love is one of constant struggl
