During the final stretch of my senior year in high school - I was flown out to do a small west coast tour, playing drums while learning how to network in a seemingly small country. The run would bleed into finals week, so I had coordinated with my teacher to write an essay remotely. I wrote a 20 page essay arguing the intrinsic social need for Hip-Hop in English classrooms.

In my essay, I argued that Hip Hop provided a raw and authentic observation of the human experience, making it a more accurate representation of literature. It was a lens through which we could truly understand the significance of our choice of words. Additionally, I highlighted the importance of Hip Hop in offering diverse perspectives to individuals who had been marginalized in their communities. It shattered stereotypes and revealed that what may have been perceived as dangerous social cues were often expressions of love.

Within the discourse, I delved into the richness of the southern vernacular and its profound impact on our common language. It exemplified how society adapts and evolves, incorporating new expressions that reflect our shared experiences.

The southern vernacular is truly a remarkable song.

Although my argument garnered a good grade on my final project, my teacher vehemently disagreed with my perspective. He viewed Hip Hop as mere entertainment, lacking the depth and sophistication necessary for academic consideration. Nonetheless, I remained steadfast in my belief that Hip Hop had the potential to revolutionize language education.

The following year, Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" gained recognition and approval from various education boards as a viable option for inclusion in school curricula. My former teacher reached out to inform me of this development. I realized that my argument had sparked a conversation and, in some small way, contributed to a change in perspective. This fueled my passion to continue pushing the boundaries of education and advocate for the inclusion of diverse voices and art forms.

Studying at Parsons, I embarked on a journey to fully realize the Hellcat aesthetic and its potential impact on education. I recognized that I held the power to bring about change within the education system, both as an artist and an advocate. As I continue to shape the Hellcat vision, I am driven by the belief that the next generation deserves a curriculum that embraces their cultural experiences and utilizes the transformative power of art to ignite their learning journey.

By challenging established norms and embracing diverse perspectives, we can create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment for future generations.