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DEPARTMENTS
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Hip-Hop Summit Registers Record Number of Youth
by Bill Beene
Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American
ST. LOUIS (NNPA) – ''You did something no other city has done,'' former NAACP executive director Ben Chavis told a St. Louis crowd during Hip-Hop Summit recently at America's Center, part of the Missouri Black Expo.
''We set a goal to register 10,000 people. But the official count is 114,000. They say Missouri is a swing state. Well, today it's swinging to hip-hop.''
That figure reflects a cumulative voter registration drive in this area that was launched in January with the help of America Coming Together and other groups in anticipation of the Summit.
Chavis called the St. Louis Hip-Hop Summit the best to date. He also told more than 7,000 youths crowded into the auditorium that they were going to pick the next president.
If history holds true, he is right. Twenty-four of the last 25 presidential candidates that won Missouri also won the presidency.
''Missouri is a battleground state. What that means is that Republicans and Democrats are fighting for your vote,'' said Jeff Johnson of HSAN and BET's Rap City. ''They want your vote. But they want to pimp your vote.''
The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), which organized the Summit, is finding creative ways to promote the electoral process, from registration to ballot box.
''Would you like to vote for your favorite hip-hop star?'' volunteers asked attendees at the Summit. They then lured young potential voters into a mock voting booth for hands-on instructions.
The HSAN is headed by Chavis and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. To add sizzle to their effort, they partner with hip-hop stars to drive youths to the voting booth. The event featured St. Louis superstar Nelly as host along with many other rappers, incuding Twista, Jadakiss, Lazie Bone, Loon, D 12, Remy Martin and Stallion. Doug E. Fresh was the emcee.
Republican, Lt. Governor Michael
Steele of Maryland was invited to speak at the Summit. Steele is credited for reforming harsh drug laws against African- Americans and putting productive economic programs in place.
Though the HSAN is non-partisan, Simmons said, ''We were looking for a Republican to honor for the work they have done in our community.''
Speaking to the crowd, Steele said, ''I don't care if you're Republican or Democrat. If you're African-American, I want you to vote.''
The panel also responded to often-asked questions previously collected by HSAN.
To the question, ''What will make politicians pay more attention to young people?'' Simmons responded, ''Everything you do, they're watching. What are you going to do November 2?''
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Go to Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American to read the complete article.
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