Mical Bockru, 20
Describe Harlem to someone who has never been before… A melting pot of people from all walks of life. What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? The biggest issue is discontentment. Because we are so fortunate, a lot of people take things for granted and forget to appreciate the basics. I also think the discontentment stems from our dependence on material goods, we are always looking for the newest gadgets, cars, etc. Meanwhile people in other countries are just looking to survive. What changes would you like to see in the world? I would love to see poverty and hunger eradicated. How do you think we can get young people involved in politics today? We need to remind today’s youth that their voice is important in order for them to see the change they want in the world.
Malachai Spivey, 19
Describe Harlem to someone who has never been before… It’s not all silver and gold, there are opportunities for everyone but nothing in this country is a hand out. If you don’t work hard and earn it, you won’t survive. What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? Respect. The adults in this country don’t respect the youth’s opinions just based on age, but age does not mean wisdom. Young people today are creative and open-minded and until we are given respect we can’t grow. How do you think we can get young people involved in politics today? Stop making politics so stuffy and uppity and kids won’t feel so out of place.
Londone Myers, 22
What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? School is too expensive and we don’t take mental health seriously. What changes would you like to see in the world? I’d like more freedom to be me. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Make everyone feel included in finding solutions. How do you think we can get young people involved in politics today? Tell them you’ll give them likes for opinions. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of our planet? For everyone to not be so plugged into the internet.
Riley Montana, 23
Describe Harlem to someone who has never been before? Bomb as fuck! What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today?Social media is taking over their little brains. What changes would you like to see in the world? More peace! What do you think governments need to do to make those changes a reality? Be more open minded and accepting of others’ views. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Listen to others’ points of view and not just those that are like mine.
An exclusive accompanying film by Matt Jones
Selena Forrest, 17
Describe Harlem to someone who has never been before… Diverse, not only in people, but in the things that you can do and the life you can live. What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? The biggest issue facing youth in America is that everyone is too focused on having materialistic things, like the latest phones and clothes, instead of expanding their education and learning about different cultures. What changes would you like to see in the world? I would like to see more equality, not only in the way we treat people, but in the sense that if you’re financially wealthy and people are starving, you should want to do what you can to help out. Basically, love and care for each other.
Alanna Arrington, 17
What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? Equality is a big issue. Men and women, whites and blacks, it’s all become a problem again. What changes would you like to see in the world? I would really like to see world peace come into action. People and countries coming together to help the world become a better place. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Be a politician for all of the people. Politicians are so negative and slyly supportive of certain groups of people. I feel that’s why young people don’t feel they have the ability to voice their opinion. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of our planet? Become a much more positive place. I hope one day this world can come together and live happily as one united front.
Johan Galaxy, 20
Describe Harlem to someone who’s never been before… Very out going, we fight for what we want. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. What changes would you like to see in the world? I want people to be more open in trying new things in fashion and music. Everybody is playing it safe, it’s time to think outside the box. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I would advise people to get jobs that they love instead of doing it for the money. I would include the people’s voices in a lot more decision-making. How do you think we can get young people involved in politics today? Reach out, tell them about what is going on in politics and what steps they can take to make changes to their community and the people around them.
Simone, 19
Describe Harlem to someone who has never been before… Folks are overweight and the bills just get higher. What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? Hunger (all types). What changes would you like to see in the world? People should understand each other on a different level. What do you think governments need to do to make those changes a reality? They need to stop making things that aren’t important seem important. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of our planet? That I’m not alive for global warming.
Mello, 27
Describe Harlem to someone who has never been before? It’s a beautiful place with beautiful people. A place for opportunities and dreams to be made. What are the biggest issue facing young people in New York today? The lack of awareness and the lack of support. What changes would you like to see in the world? Less pollution, more recycling, end world hunger, have world peace. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I would create more jobs and more opportunities for the people. How do you think we can get young people involved in politics today? Through social media, TV, and young motivational speakers.
Derek Drummond, 21
Describe Harlem to someone who’s never been before… Inspiring, influential, but also too materialistic. What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? For people of color, one of the biggest issues is discrimination by the police and the government. What changes would you like to see in the world? More peace and less hate towards people that don’t fit into societies ‘standards.’ What do you think governments need to do to make those changes reality? It’s not the government’s responsibility, it’s ours, as people, to be more accepting of those that live different lifestyles to ours or come from a different background… never judge. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of our planet? I just hope we don’t totally destroy it!
Dilone, 21
What are the biggest issues facing young people in New York today? Lack of skilled jobs and social media’s influence on materialism. What changes would you like to see in the world? Less ignorance and more tolerance and, may I add, more common sense. What do you think governments need to do to make those changes a reality? Actually, I think it’s about less government involvement. We have to take the initiative. We shouldn’t rely on the government to fix everything. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of our planet? That it’ll still be around for us to enjoy. We have a lot of changes to make if we want to have a planet to have hopes and dreams about.
Credits
Photography Matt Jones
Styling Carlos Nazario
Hair Jawara Wauchope at Bryant Artists using Oribe.
Make-up Angie Parker at Altered Agency using NARS Cosmetics.
Nail technician Dawn Sterling at MAM-NYC using Dior Vernis.
Styling assistance Shan’t Alvandyan, Roberto Johnson and Jennifer De La Cruz.
Casting director Walter Pearce.
Printing Lovely NY.
Special thanks to Tariq at ColourHouse.
Models Selena Forrest, Mical Bockru, Alanna Arrington, Riley Montana at Next. Malachai Spivey at Kevin Amato. Londone Myers and Simone at The Lions. Ralph Souffrant at Re:Quest. Derek Drummond at MSA. Dilone at DNA. Mello. Rahlo. Karen. Dior. Johan Galaxy. London Zhiloh. Samuel Hargress.