I choose this song from Tyler The Creator because I feel like the music as a person and I also like the way Tyler films his projects. The story that this music video is trying to potray is that Tyler is trying to show off that he is cool but he is cool in his own way which I fell like is the same way that I try to go about my life on a daily basis. I also feel like this video does a really a good job at showing the different styles for example. He starts off the video with a lot of energy and I also like how the camera cuts and how the camera zooms. I also like how this video is produced from the area that they are in and the different actors that are in it.

Yes, I see the things that they wishing on me

Hope I got some brothers that outlive me

They gon'tell the story, shit was different with me

God's plan, God's plan"

I decided to choose this song from Drake because I like the song and the message there is behind. It represents the fact of trusting your way of life and keep moving forward on whatever you do and want to achieve. I feel Drake is saying that your destiny is already written and you just have to keep going without being too worried about the past or the future. I like how Drake mixes self-confidence with humility. He recognizes that his journey is part of something bigger, even when things get tough. I really like the video of song, it's show a very generous message where you see drake giving money buying things to people who need it. The video works really well since it matches the song’s message about having a calling from God and supporting others. If I could change anything, I would probably include more personal stories to illustrate the long-term consequences of his donations. I'm really curious to find out how the people he helps will be impacted in the future.

I stare at the screen a while before I press decline

But she plants the seed and it still lingers in my mind

Told myself I'm strong enough to shake it and I'm trying

But I'm only human, I know loving you's a crime

If I take this cookie now one day I'll do the time”

J.Cole has always been relatable to me in many ways, but “Kevin’s Heart” has always hit the soul differently. In the music video Cole actually uses Kevin Hart because at the time he was cheating on his wife. The story that the video is showing is of how the public judges Hart for cheating even when he was the one that brought it to light, so that he could put it behind him. No, I do not have a wife, nor do I condone cheating, but I can relate to the” temptations on my line”. I don't know what it is, but it seems like when I’m in a relationship is when others try to pry in. Even though I don’t act on it at all it's still in my mind and like Hart I feel guilty for having that little thought. At the end where Kevin Hart was in the bathroom this man walks up to him and tells him that he is only human and to learn from his mistakes. At the end of the song that's playing behind the scenes J.Cole says “What's done in the dark will always find a way to shine” which is just saying that the truth will always come out. I like this style of the video because it's as if we're watching a movie scene and the song is mostly the words for the scene. I think that this style was effective because we can see that Kevin Hart is feeling the tension when he goes out in public. If I were to change the video, I would actually show the “temptations” and the actual parts of what lead to Kevin Hart cheating. Maybe not what actually happened but a scenario.

It's hard for me to find some inspiration
I pray for this generation, I need me a vacation
I'm tryna clear my thoughts, no one to call on late night
Wanna know my whereabouts? I'm with the stars now, late night."

This song is a deep version but also a short story of the life that I was around for a while. My area of town is the perfect example of you don't make it out. Especially my generation. Everybody choose to want grab guns at a younger and younger age. They also don't care to acknowledge because that is all we as a generation want to glorify. So the fear of the generation I grew in scares me as well. To the point where I would rather go be in the house for hours straight. And I know I have definitely said I need a vacation before. Lol .... Not to just joke around, but I personally feel like I should probably be your age Ms.Nelson. Mentally at least that's how I feel. I don't feel like I fit my generation and I would like to gladly stay away from it. In addition to that, I felt the last part of that bar where he talks about the number of phone calls that Lucci may get as he said in his song. At times there were people I would call and they would not pick up but would call me because they may need me. So this song hits very personally.

I chose this song because I think it does represent me very well. I am very independent and I usually don't rely on anyone to get something done. The story in the video shows him in the workplace watching the love interest who seems to be the boss in the video as she works and does various things around the office. he also sees other women in the office who seem to get their job done well and not need anyone else and I think that's representative of the whole video. The styling of the video is in black and white and very muted colors. The scenes go back and fourth between women with briefcases and scenes from the office. Toward the end of the video a women is teaching him about something in the office. I think this is effective because usually people think men are the ones teaching women specifically in the business world. I would have likely focused on one girl throughout the video instead of multiple.

I struggle with intrusive thoughts and sleep paralysis and recently discovered that this was linked with OCD. These lyrics express how it feels when I get extremely overwhelmed with these thoughts. This is also expressed when he is covered in spiderwebs and can't breathe. This video showcases how it feels to feel out of control and scared by your own thoughts. In the video you can see how Robert Smith is in the same spot in his bed the whole time while all of this is going on around him. As you can see in the video "spiderman" or the monster that is shown is just himself. This represents how sometimes our own mind can be our biggest obstacle. I have unwanted thoughts that are disconnected with my actual beliefs and emotions. Sleep paralysis is also associated with OCD and intrusive thoughts which there is a scene where it is clear that Robert is having nightmares and sleep paralysis. I feel like the style to the video is surreal which helps give a perspective in the mind of someone who has these experiences. If I could change something about this video it would be making a happy ending. I think it's important to recognize that despite these struggles in the end they're just thoughts and we can still have a good and fulfilling life. In the video Robert is watching the clock as time goes by and he can't move or control that the monster or what's about to happen to him. This speaks to me because I'm extremely grateful for this life and I don't want to spend any more time letting my OCD take over.

How I do

I let go of my claim on you, it's a free world

You look down on where you came from sometimes

But you'll have this place to call home, always”

I chose the song Godspeed by Frank Ocean for a few reasons. I was not able to find a music video for this song but I still feel like the song alone portrays a story. The word godspeed refers to a wish for success given to a person when parting ways. To me the story of this song is about letting go and moving on while an underlying loyalty and support remains. I think that the story is portrayed without a music video but one would help portray all the emotions behind the song. 

I chose this song because it captures marginalized communities' pain and uncertainty. It resonates deeply with me because it reflects the collective struggle of persevering through systemic oppression and personal challenges. Lamar's message isn't just about survival but finding hope and strength in unity. The repetition of “we gon’ be alright” transforms despair into a mantra of resilience, reminding me that no matter how bleak life feels, there’s always a path forward. The imagery of police brutality and protests reflects harsh realities, but Kendrick’s calm demeanor and the communal chanting of “we gon’ be alright” provide a sense of defiance and unity. For me, it’s a powerful reminder that faith and hope can uplift us even in adversity.

Choose to watch

While the world break up and fall on me

All the while, I’ll await my armored fate with a smile

Still wanna try, still believe in (good days)”

I chose the song Good Days by SZA for a few reasons. I think SZA has a very interesting way of storytelling through her music and the music videos. To me this is a story of healing and finding inner peace through self discovery. The quote reflects letting go in order to move on in the search for inner peace and happiness. The music video shows SZA trying to let go of these past thoughts and experiences in order to get to the “good days”. 

I really enjoy this song because it talks about the realities behind struggles and how the way it gives off a good vibe in terms of pushing through them and persevere. This song is talking about how one should make the best with what you have and work even harder to get what you do not have but may want or need. The energy in this song talks about how you should love what you have even if it may not be the number 1 thing or the most expensive thing because at the end of the day, what matters is the people you surround yourself with. I enjoy the idea that you can have everything in the world but if you do not have special people in your life that you love, is it really worth it? Overall, the title "Love Yourz", just explains how even though a "better" life may be out there. you should appreciate what you have and make the most of it :)

I chose this song because, One, I love Beyonce, and Two, because of the speech from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It resonates with how I view feminism, but if you dig deeper into her speech, she discussed black feminism. The song is simply a feel-good "don't mess with me" and a confidence boost song. 

The reason I chose this was because my dad really impressed Public Enemy on me and really wanted me to watch the movie "Do the right Thing."

The opening scene of "Do the Right Thing" serves as a thesis for both the movie as a whole and specifically for Tina, (the girl on the screen.) Specifically for the character Tina, she dances with pent up aggression that is expressed in her body movements. This pent up aggression later presents itself in her relationship with Mookie. Tina is emotionally dependent and attached, but left unsatisfied from Mookie's lack of care and attention which results in pent up frustration which is expressed through verbal confrontations with Mookie.

The opening scene then also serves as a thesis for the movie as a whole as Tina's pent up frustration is in sync with everyone else in the neighborhood. The opening scene asserts that pent up aggression will be a theme for the entire movie.

The opening lyrics by Public Enemy also set up the context for the movie.

"1989 the number, another summer (get down)

Sound of the funky drummer

Music hitting your heart 'cause I know you got soul"

I decided to pick this song because I like the overall message he's sending to his viewers and I genuinely feel every lyric. For me it represents being from the bottom and not letting anything materialistic change the person that you know you are, no matter the amount of money you have. I feel like even though he seems to be where he wants to be in life you can hear the scars in his voice. I also felt like it spoke on Staying True to yourself, your own morals, and beliefs without verbally saying it. I can't speak on anyone's struggle but mine and I know I've had it hard. In my own way I feel Like 'deebaby' is saying don't let your surroundings make you but instead you make it. Putting this into context of my life would be, being exposed to the bad early and still making my way to college as not only an athlete but a first generation college student as well.

This song means a lot to me because sometimes we get caught up in life by comparing ourselves to other people's lives which is not fair to ourselves. A famous quote I live by is, "Comparison is the thief of joy." This holds a lot of weight because there is no life that is better than the one we are living right now, so whenever you are feeling down because you are watching someone with the marriage you want, or the house you want, or even the job you want, this song reminds me that there is no life better than the one I'm living right now. Another lyric that relates to me is when J Cole said,

"It's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success"

This lyric really hits home because coming from where I was born there was always a struggle but we always tried to make it positive anyway that we could, looking at the struggle with a positive outlook saved my childhood. The second part of the lyric really hits home with finding success coming from the same struggle, it might be ugliness coming from the success but its success nonetheless.

'Cause we started from the bottom, now we're here
Started from the bottom, now my whole team f****** here

I chose this song because it is from my favorite artist, Drake. I like this song a lot because it is very motivational to me and reminds me that no matter where you are in life, you can never forget where you came from and how you got to where you are. Staying humble through all your success and keeping your family and loved ones close - especially the ones that were there at your lowest is very important. The song also reminds of how I wasn't always in as god as a position as I was now so it is important to be grateful for everything.

'Cause, baby, I was born tired
Getting more tired
As time passes me by, yeah
I'ma need more fire
Way, way more fire
So pass that thing my way

[Bridge]
La-da-da-ah
Ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha, yeah
[Verse 2]
It's been a long night
Long life, long time fighting
Let out a long sigh
Alright, why am I trying?
'Cause look at how far you have come
And look at all that you have going
Look at who you have become
Baby, you gotta keep going'

I chose this song, because it represents resilience to me in a sense. I often spend my time thinking about the things I do wrong instead of focusing on what I do right. I should spend more time focusing on what I’m doing right. Instead of just giving up I have to keep trying and look at all the wonderful and beautiful things going on in my life. This song is used as an inspiration to keep going even when I’m tired and my heart is weary keep going, even in the midst of chaos keep going, even with tears in my eyes keep going, even when I’m tired keep going because look at all of the things I have going I can’t sit and dwell on the past. I love the music video because it demonstrates the message of being “born tired” the video is extremely chill she is standing in the middle of nowhere and flowing with the song the same way we should be flowing with life because we only have one. 

All my life (all my life)
They been tryin' to keep me down (they been tryin' to keep me down)
All this time (all this time)
Never thought I would make it out (never thought I'd make it out)
They couldn't break me, they couldn't break me (no, no)
They couldn't take me, they couldn't take me (no)"

"A reminder to humble yourself, this shit could be gone in an instant
Me, I'm runnin' long distance
All pistons firin'
I be stuck between maybe retirin'
And feelin' like I'm just not hittin' my prime"

I chose this song specifically because it's made by one of my favorite artist, J. Cole. This song talks about the struggles J. Cole and Lil Durk went through growing up and how they're out of the "hard times". The video takes place in a neighborhood that the lyrics speak of. This effectively gets J. Cole's and Lil Durk's message of Where they came from and the struggles that came along. The lyrics I chose are relatable to me and my family. My parents came to this country with nothing but dreams and hopes for a better life. We moved states a couple of times and finally settled down in a bad neighborhood in a small town. We faced hard times living there and were constantly being knocked back down. Fortunately, my family never broke and kept going. It's true what these lyrics say about "hard times don't last".

Throughout the course of the program, Student Ambassadors will develop expertise in the effective use of The HistoryMakers Digital Archive and work to promote its usage on their campuses. Ambassadors must be able to commit to 10 hours of work per week between June 2025 and April 2026. They will be paid $15 per hour of documented work.

In order to qualify, applicants must be available during the week of July 13 – 18, 2025 to participate in The HistoryMakers Digital Archive Innovation and Pedagogy Conference and Summer Education Institute. Applications are due no later than Friday, May 9, 2025.  Decisions will be announced during the week of May 19, 2025.

For more details about the program, see the official announcement here.

To apply, fill out the application here.

For inquiries, please contact Gwyneth Turner at gt@gthehistorymakers.org or (312) 674-1900 x. 516.

We hope that you will promote this exciting opportunity to students at your institution. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

All the best,

Gwyneth Turner

Education Coordinator

The HistoryMakers

1900 S. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60616

(312) 674-1900 (Office)

(312) 674-1915 (Fax)

gt@thehistorymakers.org

www.thehistorymakers.org