by Jeremy Carter
Politics, pressure, school, killings, and now a pandemic. The year 2020 has brought upon us a new awareness of the value of life. Even before quarantine, I’ve come to realize that it’s short and nothing is promised. Hearing about all these people losing their lives, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and the countless people who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus makes you really appreciate your own and the people closest to you. However, in the midst of all this, there have also been flashes of hope.
Recently there was a dam-break of musical collabs by talented Black artists: Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce paired up on the “Savage Remix”, Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj remixed “Say So”, Khalid and Summer Walker released a remix to his song “Eleven”, and we got new music from Derek King in the form of a mixtape. In the middle of seemingly endless bad news, it’s so refreshing to see black people annihilating the charts with such profound music. It may be apparent but seeing black artists succeed at this magnitude really does make me feel empowered. If Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce, two black girls from Texas, can hit number 1 on the Billboard charts, then it feels as if I can do anything!
Recently, I’ve been going through it. Along with quarantine testing my perseverance, it’s been hard adjusting to my workload as a high-school Sophomore. It might be a coincidence, but as Megan and Doja climbed the charts, it felt like my own hard work started paying off. My grade went up in Algebra 2, I began understanding new material, and I got my phone back after finishing credit recovery! I’ve adjusted my social circle — Faith and Davona are my homegirls — and I’m cleaning out the last bit of toxicity from my relationships. I know it’s not all because of Beyonce. But black love does matter. Because of fans like me, four black women have the top two songs in the country. That shared power makes me want to cry thinking about it!
And as quarantine slowly lifts, I encourage everyone to try and have a Hot Girl Summer –because we all deserve that more than I can put into words.
YR Raw 