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Hip-hop political confab mobilizes to change city
From voter training workshops to a hot performance by Talib Kweli, the first Pennsylvania Hip Hop Political Conference had a focus of voter registration.
From voter training workshops to a hot performance by Talib Kweli, the first Pennsylvania Hip Hop Political Conference had a focus of voter registration.The conference, held at the University of Pittsburgh Oct. 1-3, was formed after Khari Mosley, 28, an attendee of the National Hip Hop Convention in Newark, N.J., was elected as Pennsylvania's chairman and set out to organize the conference.
"The message we give to young people is that if you're not going to do it, no one else is. We try to engage them in what they're passionate about. Only you can advocate for your issues...you'll affect policy and be a change agent in your community," said Mosley.
"The issues that are important to them are all things that can be affected by getting involved," Mosley said. "That the bar can be open 'till 4 a.m. is a political issue. Any issue can be a political issue - disaster relief, which streets get cleared of snow first, everything."
David Dix, attendee and co-chair of the PHHPC, said that the high point of the conference was seeing so many young people mobilized, whether it was their first time or they were "veterans" at voting.
"They really came away with some valuable info and were better for it," he said.
Since this June, PHHPC has registered 4,000 voters in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Adrienne Maree Brown, conference speaker and program director of the League of Pissed Off Voters and co-author of the book, "How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office," said, "I thought it was cool. They managed to really pull off a lot, making it happen like it did. I think it will build on itself."
In Brown's workshops, strategy sessions are conducted around what work is being done and what work needs to be done to enable people to get involved in politics.
"We also speak very much about starting your organizing effort as an individual, and building out from your community, being realistic and building trust. We talk about how to build do-it-yourself leadership and maximize the resources you have."
Brown believes in the importance of the average American running for office with community support as well as being politically aware.
But when asked if she will ever run for office, Brown replied, "Doubt it. I like training folks to get up. I love being all over the country. I think teaching, training and writing is really my skill set. But you know, everything could change - it has happened before."
The PHHPC's next event is the Hip Hop Engagement Project, where young people become involved in the upcoming mayoral election.
"This election is the most important election to date. This next mayoral election is going to lead the city into better times, or ultimately the city could die," Mosley said.
"Our long-term vision is to focus on local elections in Pennsylvania. We want the hip-hop generation to have an impact on these mayoral elections," Dix added.
