New Haven Independent

Posted by: lance | March 27, 2009 10:05 AM

Luacris said "McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed." Nice guy, huh?

Posted by: Our Town | March 27, 2009 10:19 AM

The guy sells millions of records...I think he does know how to communicate. Maybe he isn't a polished speaker...but that puts him in a better position to relate to the audience...he really is one of them, has the creds. The last thing kids would relate to is someone from the Wharton Business School. When I saw this on the news last night, I was incredulous that this guy would take the time to do this. A+.

Posted by: Seth | March 27, 2009 10:26 AM

Nice work Greg!! These kids tend to listen to one another and think of the grown people they see everyday as failures. I often get the question, "If you are successful, then why are you here?" This saddens me, because they don't realize that we are hear for them, but they refuse to enlist us as viable resources.

When they have the opportunity to see people they look up to, then they are more apt to listen. Let's hope the message sinks in for some of them.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | March 27, 2009 10:57 AM

Hey Greg Morehead,I found the marbles that you lost from you head!! Ludacris to speak to the kids
About Non-Violence,Give me a break.This is the same clown that criticized Oprah when she ask him about why in has songs,He calls Females B and Ho"s.I just so his you tube video Move B Google that video in and look at it and tell me if you want this person speaking to your kids.This is the same Ludacris who at the benefit dream concert
for Dr. Martin luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C. who sing a song call Shake Your Moneymaker and the song was full of the N-word and B and Ho"s words and when asked about this he said,We know Dr.King was a freak and all,But damn maybe Move B would have been more appropriate,since,you know Dr.King had to push a lot of people out of the way in his fight for civil rights. So he tells the kids that There's choices that you can make that's not your only choice,I wonder when he is going to make the choice in stop using the N-word,Bword.H,word and are you Mr.Morehead going to help him clean up his Lyrics especially this song Too many N not Enough H,But I know you will not because as the saying goes show me your friends and I will show you who you are. P.S. I almost forgot,You always say we should not hide beind fictitious names,So should not your main man Ludacris be held to the same standard?

Posted by: Fed Up With Idiots | March 27, 2009 12:10 PM

Morehead for Mayor!!!

Isn't anyone else tired of DeStefano TRYING to reach our youths. Morehead is doing more than trying, he's succeeding. It's about time someone did!!

Posted by: Edward_H | March 27, 2009 12:23 PM

THREEFIFTHS

Morehead said they were drawn from the city's "hot list" of at-risk kids: "kids who are either going to end up in jail or dead."

I agree with a lot of what you posted but who would you have chosen to come speak to these kids?

Posted by: visitor | March 27, 2009 2:52 PM

What is it about Luda that kids should look up to? Seriously--someone please let me know! Are we saying now that fame and fortune are all that matters? Luda is "successful" in that he has money, but what has he contributed to this world --and I am not talking about monetary donations.

If we are gonna hold souless pop culture idiots up as what young people should emulate (which many kids already do and then we gripe about that) we are in more trouble than if we just ignored the kids altogether.

As to someone's request for others--I could name many, but depending upon your criteria, they all could be knocked down (not "successful" enough, famous enough, young enough by the standards held up in this article's comments)
here we go:
Randall Robinson, Sandra Cisneros, Cornel West, bell hooks, Jimmy Greene, how about the artists, business people, activists who are not famous but who have made it out? What about some of the brilliant professors who struggled to get to their esteemed positions at Yale, Wesleyan and Trinity?

Posted by: jahad | March 27, 2009 3:13 PM

Great work Greg...Ludacris had a good message and gave a positive word to these children in distress. Ludacris may not be perfect, however he is reaching out. There may be more positive rappers out THERE, but they are not HERE- at least Ludacris cared enough to come to New Haven!

Posted by: Streever | March 27, 2009 3:36 PM

Great job Greg. I think the attacks on Ludacris (and by extension you) are ludicrous. (Oh I am so clever)

Let's face facts. Ludacris isn't perfect. He doesn't always advocate the right thing. If Greg can get him to come here, and speak to kids who idolize him, & give them a positive message, that does a lot of good.

What's a better option? Get someone they don't respect to come speak to them about doing the right thing? Much respect to Greg for making a good choice & not letting personality get in the way.

Real easy to anonymously bash others good work and not make any suggestions isn't it....

Posted by: Edward_H | March 27, 2009 4:22 PM

Visitor

Sounds like you have some good ideas. Maybe you should help Morehead in a future event.

This event did not hurt anyone, no tax money was wasted as far I know and it seems some of the kids learned something. I love to complain as much as the next person but there was no harm done here

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | March 27, 2009 4:56 PM

Edward_H
I would have chosen A man by the name of Mario Armstrong who is one of the founders of The Urban Video Game Academy,A Educational Non-Profit program that uses the allure,Interactivity and Development process of video games to increase student interest and academic achievement in science. He Also host a show called Digital spin. You can check him out on his website www.digitalspin.ning.com or google his name in for his bio.

Posted by: strangerthanfiction | March 27, 2009 6:42 PM

You're trying to reach the at-risk youths who are headed for gang banging or jail so you're not going to bring in Peter, Paul and Mary. You've got to bring in someone who can reach them. If it gets a positive dialogue going which helps preserve the peace and save lives, God bless 'em. Kudos to Ald. Morehead for bringing in a heavy hitter to help the hood. Great job.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | March 27, 2009 8:18 PM

Visitor wrote:
Luda is "successful" in that he has money, but what has he contributed to this world --and I am not talking about monetary donations.

For starters, he showed up to talk to at-risk New Haven youths about life's choices and staying away from negativity.

http://www.theludacrisfoundation.org/ would probably answer your question more succinctly, but why bother googling for an answer when you can espouse most profusely about that which you are uninformed?

I fail to see the difference between this guy and any actor who stars in a shoot-them-up action flick. Whether musical or theatrical, its a performance for money. I don't begrudge him his. I didn't see the same issues raised about Danny Glover when he came to speak in the city for his role in the Die Hard series. But I digress....

Posted by: Grouse | March 27, 2009 11:07 PM

This week show the kids the millionaire rapper. Next week, how 'bout the millionaire basketball player? That's something realistic to strive for.
Oh and I loved this line "Morehead said they were drawn from the city's "hot list" of at-risk kids: 'kids who are either going to end up in jail or dead.'" I bet those kids will appreciate knowing they're either going to end up in jail or dead.

Posted by: visitor | March 28, 2009 10:19 AM

Hi Streever,
Thanks for your comments...after reading them, I would like to clarify some things. I completely understand that it seemed that I was bashing Morehead, but that definitely was not my intention. I believe he is sincere in his intentions to do good and help youth....I see that this was not clear in what I wrote. I do not doubt his sincerity at all. I also should add that despite the fact that I don't think Ludacris' should be held up as a role model for youth, I do enjoy some of his stuff when I am in a certain mood. That doesn't mean that I would ever hold him up as an example for youth who are already struggling against incredible odds. Yeah, he's young and youth may be more likely to identify with him because of that...if we need to go that route, what about mos def, talib kweli, i could give numerous more examples. In this case, there is a gaping hole between what we claim to value and what we are holding up as an example. This needs to be reconciled. You think youth aren't going to notice this?

I guess that what I am saying could be written off as complaining, but that is not my intent--I am saying, come on, let's not just brush this under the rug so we can all feel good.

I feel extremely passionate about this issue....and, I think, with good reason. I think that we can do better.

just one example of ludacris' work (from:http://www.lyrics007.com/Ludacris%20Lyrics/One%20More%20Drink%20%20Lyrics.html ):

Intro
(Car pulls off, tires screech)

Verse 1

(Ludacris)
It was Friday night and I was feelin' aight (Yep)
Downtown Atlanta, big city, bright lights,
Mixin' Henney wit da Sprite while I'm drinkin' and drivin',
No police lights, no police sirens,
I'm headed to da club, lookin' fo' a freak,
To spread a lil' love and spread a couple cheeks,
Pull up to da spot, 26's like bam!
Eyes on me like "Bitch, do you see him?"
Stroll through the front door, headed to the VIP,
Bought a couple bottles and I took a couple sips,
Scopin' out da room and what do I see?
A nice round butt and a pair of double D's,
So I crept up like "Shawty, what's happen'n?
You kilin' dat dress and I love it wit' a passion,"
Den she turned around and her face was aight,
She had a gap tooth and mean overbite,
But I was like hmm...

(T-Pain)
Chorus
If I take one more drink,
I'm gon' end up f***in' you,
Is that watchu wanna do, shawty?
If I take one more drink,
I'm gon' end up f***in' you,
You too.

Verse 2
(Ludacris)
Woke up da next mornin' and all I can remember,
Was takin' shots and tippin' da bartender,
Surrender to da woman, end up bringin' me home,
Cause' she started lookin' better every shot of Patron (Yep)
I jumped up wit a devilish grin,
Cause' tonight damn right! I might do it again!
So I called up da homies (What up?)
Let's ride, we can hit the sportsbar,
Over on the South side,
Get a couple of Coronas, couple of limes,
Went up to da bar, saw a couple of dimes,
So I, slowly walked up an said "Hi,"
My name is Ludacris and I'mma hell of a guy,
One said "I know who you are, I'm your #1 fan,
And right now it's too bad I got a man,"
And I said "I understand, but where da hell is he at?
Cuz, in a minute if he don't show up then maaaaan....."

(T-Pain)
Chorus
If I take one more drink,
I'm gon' end up f***in' you,
Is that watchu wanna do, shawty?
If I take one more drink,
I'm gon' end up f***in' you,
You too.

(Ludacris)
Uh huh,
Ay Pain, holla at em right quick man!

(T-Pain)
You gon' get in trouble wit yo' man, girl,
(Don't get in trouble, girl)
Talkin 'bout how you're my biggest fan, girl,
(I know it, I know it)
Now I don't wanna do,
(Please)
What you gon' make me do,
(Don't make me do it, don't make me do it!)
But... if I have one more drink...

Verse 3
(Ludacris)
One more drink I'mma get cha,
Home, then I'll split cha,
Grab the camera phone,
And take a buncha drunk pictures,
Cause' Hennessy mixed wit a whole bunch of Buddha,
Equals you mixed wit a whole bunch of Luda,
And you know how far one drink could go,
Start slurrin' my speech, slowin' up da FLOOW,
Hikin' up yo' skirt, climbin' up yo' shirt,
It's Mr. Late Night Luda and I like to flirt,
So guess what babygurl?

(T-Pain)
Chorus
If I take one more drink,
I'm gon' end up f***in' you,
(Just one mo')
Is that watchu wanna do, shawty?
(That's all it's gonna take)
If I take one more drink,
(Hey!)
I'm gon' end up f***in' you,
(Haha, who else T-Pain?)
You too.

(Outro)

(Ludacris)
You hear what I'm sayin'?
People too picky these days, dammit!
Too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny,
Have a couple of drinks and quit discriminating,
This is been a Luda Service Announcement...

Deuces...
Hahahahahaha.

Posted by: Edward_H | March 28, 2009 12:08 PM

Threefifths

Mario Armstrong is pretty impressive. Do you think you can secure him to come speak to New Haven Youth for the same cost as Ludacris? If so maybe you and Morehead should work something up.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | March 29, 2009 12:10 AM

Edward-H
I will forward his information to Dr.Mayo. But anyone who would like to here his show please check out www.mario.squarespace.com for his show time. Also he just start a website call www.techtechboom.com

Posted by: Streever | March 30, 2009 11:03 AM

Hey Visitor,

sorry to throw the baby out with the bathwater on this! I don't always take the commentary seriously, but reading your last comment, I think I need to apologize to you for that.

You have a great point. Ludacris does espouse violence, the degradation of women, a culture of hate, an illegal culture--however, as someone who doesn't enjoy his music or that message, I try to keep in mind the distinction that Been Called Worse makes between movie stars and the sometimes disturbing, violent, even sick movies they appear in.

Ludacris is a character--Chris Bridges is the actor--I do think it's true that many young people don't know that, and I do think that's why it's so important & powerful that he come & speak out against what his character embodies.

Could the format have been better? Yes. Is Ludacris the best person to tell someone how to avoid fighting? Probably not.

I just don't like it when people tear down good work based on the weaknesses of said work.

I prefer something productive: for instane, proposing an alternative format:

1. Ludacris speaks briefly about his own trials & growth.
2. Youth break into workshops to address specific problems they have, working directly with local people who are trained to do this type of work. These workshops are youth-directed: each participant gives a problem they have, or one they may have, and they are assigned to a group dealing with that issue. Employability, violence, family issues. The counselors are assigned to groups based on their skill set.
3. Ludacris finishes the event with a short q&a, and a quick panel on "Chris Bridges vs Ludacris", in which he explains that he doesn't live the way he speaks about in his music--in which he explains why he has two identities--and that one of them is not appropriate.

With that said, I do applaud Morehead with no reservations--and Mr. Bridges. They did good wor and they deserve to be noticed. Thank you both.

Posted by: William Kurtz | March 30, 2009 1:19 PM

I think a bigger problem than whether Ludacris was an appropriate speaker for a group of at-risk youth is the simplistic idea of a 'role model.' To paraphrase the late George Carlin, if your kid needs a role model and you're not it, you're both in trouble.

I'm not all that familiar with Ludacris or his work so I'll withhold judgment about whether he's violent, racist, or misogynist--or just pretending to be. What I am sure is a fantasy is the idea that any single person is going to be wholesome enough to please the Purtians, engaging enough to appeal to young people and available enough to bother making the time. What's wrong with having an imperfect person talk to children about the choices they face? I like Streever's idea. How about calling on some of these rappers to step out of their fantasy characters for a minute and show people who they really are? The comparison with Danny Glover is a good one; even though he's appeared in a string of pretty violent movies, I don't think anyone would confuse the activist with the characters he has played.

Better to teach our children how to evaluate the messages they hear, how to measure the nature of the speaker with the words being spoken. And to be better role models ourselves.

Posted by: LD | March 31, 2009 11:47 AM

I commend Mr. Morehead for reaching out to the youth. I appreciate that you were able to use your resources to bring in an individual who many of the youth recognize and admire. Albeit most of his lyrics aren't what we want our children to be studying day and night. However, the effort is praiseworthy. But, has anyone addressed the real problem here? Did you hear the young man in the article, Roberto, crying out for help. He has gotten himself into a situation that he wants to end, but the other party won't let it go. Why are our children so bitter and angry. How can we teach them respect for life and for themselves. I have heard this all too often. The kids are maintaining on going rivalries that are costing lives. We need to be praying that God softens the hearts of the youth. They are so hardened it's scary. What can we do about that? There's a problem when teenagers have no problem picking up a gun to take another life as if life is something we can get back. How can we change that mentality?