By Jessicah Kye-Fredette
Contributing writer

Why should the Syracuse school district sponsor a hip-hop summit for its high school students?

Hip-hop is more than music, money and videos. It is a culture, a voice, that represents the who, why and what of today’s youth.

Hip-hop is more than a form of entertainment. It is education.

I have been listening to hip-hop music since I was a little girl, and in many cases it has served as a voice for my feelings. What derived from the streets of New York City’s young, gifted and black has progressed into social poetry that everyone can enjoy and learn from.

Its effect on young people is so great because it constantly reminds us of our freedom of speech and just how important our opinions are. Although its influence on the youth of today might appear to be negative, it is the mission of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, which would arrange the event in Syracuse, to confirm the positive role hip-hop can play in empowering youth.

The summit that was planned for last week was postponed because of a lack of funding. I am extremely hopeful it will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.

In Central New York the issues of drug use, violence, truancy and gang activity among youths are front-page news. A hip-hop summit would show Syracuse’s youths ways we can improve our quality of life through education.

At the same time, young people would have the opportunity to communicate with the hip-hop industry by letting popular rap artists know our social and educational concerns. This would be done through an intense panel discussion between the artists and the students who would attend the summit.

The opportunity to interact with artists on a personal level is important for the teenage community. Many of my peers take their cues for behavior and dress from these artists. Any positive message they put out is almost guaranteed to receive a positive response.

I am a member of the summit planning committee, which is composed of adults and students who recognize the need for social intervention in Syracuse. The summit has the potential to enlighten all generations.

It could help bridge the generation gap by allowing young people’s voices to be heard, and adults would hopefully realize that hip-hop music is much more than what they see on the surface. The youths of Syracuse need the support of the older generation as well as their respect for our culture.

The hip-hop summit network wouldn’t come to Syracuse to put on a concert, to entertain and leave. The intention is to key into the ideas of youth and promote leadership, literacy and empowerment. With the help of rap artists, young people could show we are serious about our future and that we can make a difference.

The goals of the summit are attainable. Cities that have hosted summits have experienced tremendous success at achieving, and in some cases exceeding, their social and academic goals. Philadelphia’s 2003 summit exceeded its goal of registering 10,000 voters when 11,000 registered.

The summit would be a profound way to reach youths as well as make the artists live up to their positions as role models. Hip-hop artists would be able to encourage and challenge youths to take a firm step in creating a positive future, as well as realizing all that we are capable of. Jessicah Kye-Fredette is a junior at Nottingham High School. Students, teachers or parents interested in participating in the Voices column should call Paul Riede at 470-2138 or e-mail him at citynews@syracuse.com.

© 2003 The Post-Standard