Thank Heaven for the Reverend!

Thank Heaven for the Reverend!
AMW !.e. Talent: Dj Single Handed
June 16, 2007

Positivity being promoted over the airwaves owned by big corporations is not something you see very often. On the surface, the hi-jinks and hilarity are the main highlights of the primetime MTV reality series Run’s House, starring Joseph “Reverend Run” Simmons of the pioneering rap group Run DMC and his family. However, you can’t help but notice Run’s qualities as a doting spouse to his wife Justine and father figure to his five children. Add in his words of wisdom that conclude every show, and you have an extremely positive role model who’s footsteps the younger generation can follow.

Allhiphop.com recently reported that Run signed a million dollar book deal with Gotham Books and will release a new book about family issues. Topics such as parenting tips and methods of maintaining a close-knit family will be featured in Run’s latest work. The release of the book will be accompanied by a promotional tour as Run and Justine spread their wisdom to the masses.

The potential of this book could be huge. I’m not even talking from a business or sales stand-point; I’m speaking more from the social and “good for humankind” side of things.

Reverend Run, the epitome of old-school rapper, is just as relevant to the youth of today as any of these new-jack rappers with chart-topping hits. There’s a highly likely chance that kids will pay attention to what he has to say. If his message is well-received, perhaps the concept of family can retain its conduciveness to health, growth, and prosperity.

For every child that somehow falls victim to the ills of the streets and all of its various underlying causes, we often ask: “where are the parents?” Where are the parents to provide that child with a sense of family that they now seek in a street gang? Where are the parents to teach alternative solutions to violence? Where are the parents to instill a sense of self-worth in their children so that they can strive for the best and don’t feel as though they have nothing to lose?

Perhaps I’m being overly optimistic with the results I expect. However, I’m completely up in arms for anything that promotes a positive message as opposed to glamorizing and encouraging nonsense. In the celebrity-obsessed culture which has engulfed the United States of America, I can only hope that we become fixated on the lessons that Run has to teach. We probably already know or have at least heard of most of what Run has to say. I just hope we take notice.