Lakeshia Poole's Blog: LakeshiaPoole.com, page 25

My What If I Theory

What if you learned that there were people God put you here to reach, but you hadn’t?

I came across this tweet today and it reminded me of something that has been on my mind for a few years now. I’ve wanted to share it on Facebook, in a blog post or somewhere, but I didn’t want people to think I was crazy. So here goes…

I used to get so frustrated seeing all the negative images everywhere, glorified ‘ratchet’ behavior and the normalization of immorality. I hate ‘reality’ shows and most things on TV except for Shark Tank, 20/20 and SEC football. I used to read crappy books and complain endlessly about street fiction.

There are lots of commentators, twitter peeps and comment sections full of people who agree with me. I used to love it when we would get together and bash these things (and sometimes the people who offer their support to them). But nothing ever changed. In fact, each day there seems to be more and more of the same.

Then a thought came to me: What if it’s because YOU are not doing your job to offer an alternative?

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Man, so many excuses came to my mind. “I mean if people didn’t support that crap, it would be gone” being my number one solution. It’s true. Numbers drive business. Whether it’s TV shows, films, news, products, distribution is dictated by demand. Despite this fact, it was a great way for me to blame someone else and continue trash talking.

It made me think of the many incredibly talented lyricists who ‘quit the rap game’ because there’s nothing but ‘crap’ music out there. I always called BS on that. If God gave you a gift for something, there is a purpose behind it. Somebody out there needs to hear whatever you have to say. Stop being scared of not getting the most airplay on pop stations and the people who believe in you will support undoubtedly. {See how easy it is to point out someone else’s BS.}

As a publicist, my job is to CREATE and GROW demand; to share products/ideas with people and convince them that they not only want it, but they need it and a lot of it.

What if I could create a demand for things I wanted to see more of? I didn’t know. I never tried. Plus, that’s hard work, involves lots of trial/error and plenty of money.

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The idea stayed with me and I would like to give it credit for my book turning out the way it did. It wasn’t perfect or exactly what I THOUGHT people wanted to read. Sure, there are some unsavory elements to it, but for the most part there is minimal cursing and sex. I thought about making it sexier, grittier and create UNBELIEVABLE melodramatic twists, but it turned out fine for the purpose it serves.

Given that my book is no bestseller (yet), I again considered doing something different with my current work-in-progress. Maybe I could create a more diverse cast to attract a wider audience as it’s rare to see a work written by an African American with African American main characters make the top of the Kindle list.

But what if I could be that author that did achieve it with aspects I believe in?

Usually ‘what if’ has such a negative connotation—you go through all that could go wrong. But what if things went extraordinarily well if you decided take a leap a faith in the midst of what looks 100% unchangeable, unfixable and even unbelievable? Sometimes, the ‘if’ isn’t time-consuming or require a lot of money. Absent the fear of failure, ‘if’ can be easy. See something you don’t like, do the opposite and what you think is the solution vs. complaining about it. Pay attention to your inner voice/soul/conscience, people and understand your role changes with each situation–you may be the leader, follower, cheerleader or simply the beneficiary.

What if I talked to that coworker about an idea I had? Heck, what if I applied for that job with a description that matches only about 20% of my resume?

What if I said hello to him?

What if I leave a positive comment on her wall?

What if I encourage this stranger?

What if I pull that old childhood dream from the recesses of my mind, dust it off and just go for it?

What if I write that blog?

What if I share that scripture/quote that brought me peace/encouragement?

What if I shoot that movie?

What if I share a link to that web series I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?

What if I write that book?

What if I allow that person to love me and myself to love them back?

What if I start that business?

What if someone told me no or ‘that’s crazy’ and I pursued yes anyway?

The concept that small moments can lead to big change isn’t a new idea. Every day we experience these moments. You have a gut reaction to do something and as small as it seems the person eventually tells you how much they needed you/what you did at that very specific moment.

What if we did more of that? What if we did EXACTLY what we were called to do?

“God has a sense of humor. He will give you a big job to do and no money to do it with. He’ll want you to be the point of influence for mighty change and not give you the benefit of the credentials to go along with the position. He’ll use you from LITTLE places to provoke BIG CHANGES, according to how you see yourself. But if you don’t see yourself as significant and you define yourself by your circumstances, you will miss your opportunity because often your circumstances do not predict your predestined purpose and calling.” T.D. JAKES, Calling, Romans 8

 

 

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Stranger Than Fiction

Sometimes when I’m writing, a little voice tells me, there’s no way people would believe this would happen–especially on a college campus. Now you know anything I write is purely fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the my imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. 

Whew, now that that’s out of the way, know that a lot of crazy stuff happened during my four years at UGA.  Quite a few scandals popped off there and at college campuses across the nation. They continue to happen–each month, I’m muttering, “I can’t believe this.”

The truth is, some stuff in real life is far scarier than anything I could create. Below are three disturbing headlines from 2012, that in my opinion, are stranger than any fiction:

“I Should Have Killed You.” – According to USA Today, University of Virginia student George Huguely V wrote an email to his girlfriend Yeardley Love days before her death that said, “I should have killed you.” While her murder happened in May of 2010, George went to trial this year. His defense countered that it was an “innocent idiom.” Both were lacrosse players and apparently had been together for a short period time in a very volatile relationship. On August 30, 2012, Huguely was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

 

 

Hazing Death ‘Rattles’ FAMU. In late 2011, investigators ruled the death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion as homicide. While college campuses are no stranger to hazing rituals (despite rules, regulations and even previous deaths and near deaths), Robert’s case truly shook many folks up.

 

The medical examiner wrote that he “collapsed and died within an hour of a hazing incident during which he suffered multiple blunt trauma blows to his body.” The autopsy was brutally outlined by The Orlando Sentinel, and several leaders of FAMU from the top-down were implicated at some point. Over a dozen students were charged with felony hazing, the Marching 100 were suspended, and both the band director and president retired. In 2012, FAMU played its first home game of the season without the Marching 100.

 

 

Say It Ain’t So Joe. The twists and turns regarding JoPa, Penn State and the unfortunate, lifelong impact Jerry Sandusky’s actions will have on the lives of the children he abused were appalling when this story broke in 2011. Indicted on 48 counts of child molestation dating from 1994 to 2009, investigations have shown that the abuse may have dated as far back as the 1970s. Between an incredibly odd/eerie interview on Rock Center, Joe Paterno’s tarnished legacy, McQueary’s testimony, fan and family reactions, the fallout snowballed. On June 22, 2012, at age 68, Sandusky was found guilty on 45 counts and faces a minimum of 60 years and maximum of 442 years in prison. Evidence has shown that Penn State was aware of allegations as early as 1998.

 

 

Can you believe that this stuff happened on REAL college campuses?

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Can’t Wait for the Affair…

“I can’t wait for the affair to begin again.”  ~ Random {married} Facebook Poster

When I read these words in reference to the very popular Scandal TV show, created by drama queen Shonda Rhimes, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Having worked in crisis communications, I can’t lie I didn’t like the show to begin with. I don’t ever recall having that much time for a monologue about being a gladiator. And it ain’t that sexy cleaning up behind folks, lol.

Nevertheless, my friends talked about it, I watched here and there and it sort’ve grew on me.

I missed about 45 minutes of the season two début, but tuned into the end. I have no idea what happened, but based on the twitterverse/Facebookville, it was really good! I was about to head on over to Hulu to catch it, when I happened upon this comment from a married woman on Facebook:

“I can’t wait for the affair to begin again.” 

*SIGH* 

Why am I sighing? Yes, I know it’s just entertainment. Yes, it’s a nice escape after a hard day’s work. No, it’s not real–I don’t think Judy was getting it in with President Bush. Yes, I know (and write) about good people/bad people doing immoral things, including myself. It makes for an exciting journey watching a person go through ups/downs, make mistakes, and live vicariously through their win at the end of the day.

Despite all of that, I still cringe. The comment reminded me of another reason I disliked the show in the beginning. I hated the fact that one of a few (wait, are there any others?) prime-time non-reality shows with a Black female lead had romanticized this incredibly dysfunctional relationship. I don’t care how much you brush up against them and breathe all hard like your allergies are acting up, whispering about being soul-mates. That is just not sexy to me.

Our reaction to these shenanigans bothers me more than the content presented to us. We look forward to seeing on TV–fights, brawls, cuss-outs and yes…affairs. Even during season one I went back and forth with folks on twitter about how the affair turned me off. “But did you hear what he said to her? ‘What kind of a coward was I to marry her and not wait for you to show up?’”

BOY STOP. I mean, I’ve been known to catch a few episodes of Cheaters (with glee), BUT this dude right here…

I struggle with this as a writer. I want to showcase reality, because in reality people lie, cheat, fight and live imperfect lives. I want to keep readers engaged and excited without glorifying certain behaviors. It is truly a balancing act.

It’s often difficult for me to separate my writer self, sit back and be entertained. Maybe I’m overreacting. After all, it’s just a TV show right? 

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A {New} Different World

Before The Village and pre-UGA, I was enthralled with college life. I’m pretty sure A Different World was one of the first shows I saw devoted to college life. It was also the first one I saw that featured a cast of beautiful, smart, diverse Black students. They looked like me. I dreamed of what college life would be like. However, upon my arrival, I’ll never forget thinking: This is nothing like A Different World. Yes, this TV show had been my go-to source for life after high school.

Recently Debbie Allen stirred up buzz about a reboot of the series and my heart leaped at the idea of a new, fresh, young and POSITIVE perspective on TV. To this day, my friend and I quote Whitley Gilbert (Relax,Relate, Release). The show successfully blended the comedy and serious decisions that come with self-exploration. It was entertaining and you just HOPED that Dewayne Wayne would FINALLY woo Whitley. Alongside their supporting friends, they learned, loved, evolved and there were many episodes that caused me to ask: What would I do? The one about Apartheid and Kim’s scholarship comes to mind.

After seeing the remake of Sparkle, I must admit, I am not in the mood for anymore ‘remakes.’ However, I KNOW how critical it is for us to share such a positive story with today’s kids and teens. TV/media is one of the best ways to expose young people to ‘a different world’ that they may not have access to. The vicarious experience plants a seed within them. There are LOTS of negative and superficial seeds being planted within our children on cable/network TV. The ‘different world’ they see most often includes the glitz and glam of being the girl (hopefully the ‘main chick’) of some baller (illegal or legal). This ‘different world’ aligns self-worth with sexuality not self-love. Yeah, the main goal in this ‘different world’  is to make more money vs. finding a purpose that helps others. This ‘different world’ is ratchet with dysfunctional friends who easily become foes. 

Man, it ain’t nothing like A Different World.

Ian Evans actually outlined a concept for what the new show could look like. My imagination began to run wild too and I considered how it could all play out.  So what do you think — should we reignite A Different World or leave well enough alone? 

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