July 31, 2007 @ 11:55 am

Editor's Letter: The Brother's Gonna Work It Out

Danyel Smith

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Editor-In-Chief Danyel Smith on our September 2007 issue, featuring Barack Obama.

For the first time in VIBE's 14-year history, a political figure graces our cover. It's time. Music and all amusements are important to you and important to us, but it's time to turn down the speakers and pull out the ear buds - at least for right now. Music is great; it inspires us. Films can change minds. Fashion makes us feel more alive. But, really - check the clock. Do you want to feel alive? Or actually be alive? Every sad story is not a love song; every personal gripe does not make for a cause or for a fresh hip hop song. Which rapper gets what ringtone deal or which singer starts a clothing line or which pair of limited edition sneakers you cop - well, it won't matter when we're fighting each other over the last bottle of Poland Spring on the block, or wondering why kids can't spell, draw, or do a simple algebraic equation (they already barely play instruments), or when we're in a line around the block to get a physical exam or visiting crazy cousin Johnny in a privatized jail rife with the stink of abuse. It's not even about fighting the power this time but about finding the power - in us. As the globe gets warmer and poor people get poorer and paid people get more paid and the iron gates between them get taller, what will we do then? Or is that "then" already here? Will we all just click on SHUFFLE, and let that beat bang? Will we sip from our cans of the caffeinated beverage repped by the coolest artist, adjust our hoodies, and vaguely remember when we had a chance to make a change - and then remember how we flaked and didn't register to vote, didn't recycle, didn't read up (let alone act) on what was going on in the world, didn't sacrifice, got played, and lived like: As long as my block's not on fire, I'm good? I met the Senator. For the very short time we were all together, he was pleasant, a bit stern, cool as can be, very much with the dry sarcasm. "Ms. Smith," he said to me, after he'd breezed in late enough that a frown was etched in my face. "Do you think it's more important for me to be voting on the floor of the Senate or being at a photography session for your magazine?" The Senator had his priorities together. It was the Energy Bill. He voted Yes. Our cover shoots can last four hours or longer. He stayed 20 minutes with no apologies. Left us standing in his office like, what? Like he had a dinner meeting with Desmond Tutu? Yes. Exactly like that. He bobbed his head to the Staple Singers while his photo was being taken. Cocked his head to Twista (of course we hooked up an all-Chicago playlist for this special occasion). But his mind was clearly on other things. He had 99 problems, and VIBE, as major as we think we are, was not one. Don't get it twisted: The Senator had a slight bit of longing on his face when he saw the hi-top sneakers we brought down to D.C. with high hopes, the gorgeous silk ties, the shiny cufflinks. But then he looked at us with a smile on his face - not the big one he sports on the campaign trail, more of a good-natured smirk - and said, "You guys are hip. I used to be hip. I can't be hip anymore. I'm running for President." (For the record, the clothes he wears in the shoot are his own.) The future has a funny way of arriving unannounced. It may or may not be Obama time. But if he means good change and freedoms, strength and truth, and a swagger that comes from having the wisdom of knowing hardship and service and of having experienced pure joy - well then, I'm ready to not be hip, too. Danyel Smith
Editor-In-Chief

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