The 7 Steps Hub Initiative is an innovative idea started by founder Clint White in his efforts to bring art and creativity to the disadvantaged of youth living on the Cape Flats.
I met up with Clint White to discuss the initiative, its goals and vision and what local and international organizations and individuals can do to get involved and make a difference.
RISE NEWS: 1. Can you give us an idea of your background and what lead to the idea of starting the 7 Steps Hub initiative?
Clint White: I’m a creative enthusiast, entrepreneur, brand strategist, creative director and business speaker. I’ve had the opportunity to be active in many creative roles, from brand manager, stylist, writer, creative director, art director, stage director, workshop host, panellist and even a voice over artist. I’m quite a lively and determined person, always wanting to source information and to do things differently. It’s how I’m inspired to be innovative in everything I do.
Living on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, I have a first-hand experience on what life is like here, the reality and prevalence of drug abuse, despair and violence suffered by our youth. This has forged a wedge between people, and the effects are disastrous. We’ve been left with a nation of uninspired youth, within disconnected communities, with little hope, so I thought that there must be an opportunity to change it.
RISE NEWS: 2. Why do you think that art specifically is a tool to change mind sets and instil a sense of self-confidence in the youth living on the Cape Flats?
Clint White: Coming from a creative background myself, I believe that art has the ability to heal people from an intrinsic perspective, which can quite literally change an individual’s thinking.
I think we should re-introduce art in our public education system, as it’s seen as an exclusive privilege at best.
There is little understanding of art in our communities and this creates a hindrance in pursuing a creative career or appreciation of the discipline.
We need to realise that the ability to think creatively and to come up with ideas, contributes to every industry the world over, from fashion, engineering, science, technology, music, media, architecture, design and even education; they all require creativity.
Founder Clint White (R) receiving an award from Marlon Parker, founder of RLabs.
You can pour your emotions, desires, fears, aspirations and viewpoints into whatever artwork you create, and learn new skills in the process. Art allows people to think differently in a way that we apply creative interpretations of how we experience the world around us and how we contribute to it.
RISE NEWS: 3. Has art been a force in your life and how has it changed or created a shift in mindset for you?
Clint White: Art is merely the mechanism or framework for innovation. I’m someone who has many different interests and creative pursuits in life, which I use to my advantage.
It [art] is about learning from past experiences and challenging myself to create new things, experiences and ideas; that’s where the innovation lies. I’m always researching new ideas, seeing what’s been done before and how we can make things better, to disrupt and to innovate. It’s what drives me.
RISE NEWS: 4. What do you intend to do with the art pieces that the kids create through the 7 Steps Hub initiative?
Clint White: Through our workshops, we intend on placing the art in the schools to encourage an appreciation and curiosity in art.
We expect that this will mitigate bullying as well, in the hopes that other youth will be interested in joining our programmes. The contributions the youth will make and the skills that they will learn will cultivate a sense of ownership which can be applied to other spheres of their lives too.
Through active support of funders and the public we hope to provide employment, entrepreneurship ideals and career development opportunities as well once the youth complete their schooling and perfect their skills through the art they create.
RISE NEWS: 5. Can you elaborate more on the community projects that 7 Steps Hub is starting up with students from Wynberg and Athlone?
Clint White: We wish to integrate the thinking at a community level into community development projects, not specifically only Wynberg and Athlone, but all communities.
We first want the learners to adopt a sense of ownership of their school, and then tackle their communities where they live.
We want the youth to visualise their communities as places of interest and inspiration. Through community clean ups, revamps, and art installations in these areas, we want to beautify them and bring the spirit of community back into where we live.
RISE NEWS: 6. Tell us more about the WaydesWelcome Journey and how that has influenced you moving forward with the 7 Steps Hub initiative?
Clint White: When I decided to walk around Cape Town collecting messages of support and congratulations for Olympic World Champion, Wayde Van Niekerk, I had no clue how the idea would take off. The campaign trended nationally within three days, and featured on every major media platform in the country, from radio interviews, TV appearances and newspaper articles. I met every person who signed the book.
I captured the journey on social media and garnered hundreds of thousands of impressions and people following the story each day.
It took me two months and 400 kilometres on foot, meeting hundreds of every day citizens and celebrities, from David Kramer, Evita Bezuidenhout, Mpho Tutu Van Furth and many more, to being invited by different companies, organisations, schools and people, it was incredible.
When he [Wayde Van Niekerk] arrived back in the country, I was fortunate enough to be invited by T-Systems to attend a gala dinner in Wayde’s honour as a special guest.
I had the opportunity to have dinner with Wayde, met his family and made a speech, before finally handing the book over.
It inspired me that we as a nation can come together for a greater good. I was incredibly inspired that through my idea, I could unite the entire nation.
All we need is a little inspiration, to do great things. As South Africans, we are kind hearted and genuine, it was refreshing to experience first-hand.
RISE NEWS: 7. What are your goals for the 2017 year and how can businesses and individuals get involved in such an initiative?
Clint White: Our goal for 2017 is to inspire the youth and build partnerships and relationships in realising its success.
We’re busy planning a 7 Steps Hub Creative Expo, showcasing the innovation and creativity from our programmes, as well as artistic contributions from individuals in Cape Town.
As we are a non-profit organisation, the challenges we face are funding, and the need for resources in our continued endeavours in changing lives.
We want youth, private business, parents, government and ordinary citizens to make a concerted effort in supporting our organisation in any way they can.
We have a list of resources and funding objectives available which anyone can contribute towards.
We need people to support our social media platforms and spread the word about our initiative.
We will be launching a crowdfunding campaign too, for people to assist 7 Steps Hub. It’s important that we realise the need to take the step and build our future, together.
Follow this creative initiative on these social media platforms for more information on how to get involved and support the 7 Steps Hub Initiative:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/7StepsHub
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.
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Democrats Turned Off The C-SPAN Cameras Too, In 2008
Scores of elected Democrats have been sitting in on the floor of the House of Representatives in order to induce a vote on a bill that would stop people on the no fly list from purchasing a firearm.
But just as Democrats were starting their sit-in, the C-SPAN cameras inside of the House chamber were turned off under the order of the Republican leadership.
While turning off the cameras might be an affront to the American people, it is not the first time that it has happened.
In fact, Democrats did the same thing in 2008 when they controlled the body.
On August 1, 2008 then Speaker Nancy Pelosi wanted to adjourn the House. But a sizable group of Republicans wanted to stay on the floor in order to speak about their desire to increase off-shore drilling.
Then things got a little nutty.
From POLITICO in 2008:
“Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats adjourned the House, turned off the lights and killed the microphones, but Republicans are still on the floor talking gas prices.
Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders opposed the motion to adjourn the House, arguing that Pelosi’s refusal to schedule a vote allowing offshore drilling is hurting the American economy. They have refused to leave the floor after the adjournment motion passed at 11:23 a.m., and they are busy bashing Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for leaving town for the August recess.
At one point, the lights went off in the House and the microphones were turned off in the chamber, meaning Republicans were talking in the dark. But as Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz..) was speaking, the lights went back on and the microphones were turned on shortly afterward.
But C-SPAN, which has no control over the cameras in the chamber, has stopped broadcasting the House floor, meaning no one was witnessing this except the assembled Republicans, their aides, and one Democrat, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), who has now left.”
The thought of a bunch of Republicans standing on the floor of the House talking to themselves and Dennis Kucinich is actually quite funny.
But the GOP didn’t think so then and rightfully so.
“This is the people’s House,” Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) said back in 2008. “This is not Pelosi’s politiburo.”
The C-SPAN cameras should never be turned off as they are the best way for the American people to connect with the goings on in Congress.
But both sides have played fast and loose with them in the past.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us.
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Calling Young South African Writers, Journalists And Leaders: Tell Your Story And Make A Difference
We are looking for young writers, journalists, leaders and storytellers in South Africa to join in our effort to change the way news and information is told all around the world.
RISE NEWS is a fast growing and highly impactful millennial focused news organization that has brought together over 1,000 of the most talented young people from all around the world. And we are just getting started.
Our next big push is going to be in South Africa, where our message is resonating and helping us grow into something truly special.
Our mission is a simple but revolutionary one: we want to create an outlet which tells the stories that mainstream media too often miss, while building a platform that can serve as a place for debate and discussion.
We believe in storytelling and that the pursuit of truth should be the foremost goal for those in public life.
Photo Credit: South African Tourism/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
We also deeply believe in the power of our generation (no matter where we physically are on this planet) and that we need a vibrant free press in all corners of the Earth.
You can have real impact here.
In the process, you will learn more about the power of story-telling while gaining valuable work experience in a fun team atmosphere.
As one of the most diverse and vibrant countries on Earth, South Africa is perfectly positioned to be a leading force for our mission of a more democratized news industry.
While we lean towards news and originally reported journalism pieces, we also publish opinion pieces, policy proposals, first person narratives and fiction short stories as well.
You don’t need any prior journalism experience to participate. We encourage any ambitious and talented young person (and those young at heart) to reach out to us.
You will work with our in country editor and our team back in the United States as well.
If you are interested then please fill out this form: https://risenews.net/join-the-team/
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Cover Photo Credit: Celso FLORES/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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The Far Right In Germany Is Starting To Rise Again And It Should Worry Us All
Germany and the far right of the political spectrum do not historically mix.
So why is it that a party of the far right (granted, one not nearly as radical or hate-filled as the Nazi Party was) is picking up steam in the largest and most powerful European Union country?
In recent weeks, the Alternative for Germany (AFD) has achieved regional representation in eight German states. There are 16 German states in total.
AFD is a far right populist party in a similar vein as the National Front in France and UKIP in the United Kingdom.
The ragtag party has managed to bite at the heels of the ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), and appears to be gaining popularity across the country.
This is largely due to the anti immigration platform of the party in response to Chancellor Angela Merkel‘s policies on resettling refugees, primarily from Syria.
AFD has a unique opportunity for swift gains due to its novel position on the political spectrum.
A pro right wing backlash has been felt across the West, be it the Tea Party or Euroskeptics, but AFD has been making attempts at separating itself from the most extreme elements of German political life.
On the party’s official site, AFD disowns the support of NPD, a far right party infamous for its ties strong association with Nazis in both a fashion sense and in antisemitism.
According to the Q&A section of the party’s website, the AFD breaks with the ranks of other far right parties by being in support of continued German participation in both the EU and NATO, though with caveats to both of these organizations that favor a more independent foreign policy.
A German man walking with a beer. Photo Credit: Alexander Mueller/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
AFD also voices disapproval of TTIP (a proposed free trade agreement between the United States and Europe), subsidies for energy research, while favoring “re-nationalizing” of the banking sector, and promoting marriage between men and women as “politically desirable”.
All of these positions seem to indicate that AFD is interested in focusing inward, and is not particularly hostile to longstanding German policy.
Despite this resemblance closer to the American Republican Party than particularly sinister right wing parties like PEGIDA, the party has been moved more so to the extreme by the Party’s president Frauke Petry, who has brought anti-immigration rhetoric and closer ties to the Kremlin to the forefront of its public perception.
This will likely only continue due to the departure of the party’s moderating influence, Bernd Lucke, cofounder of AFD, left the party in 2015 when ousted from the party presidency by Petry.
Lucke founded another Euroskeptic party Alliance for Progress and Renewal (ALFA), and complained that AFD had grown far too xenophobic.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us!
Cover Photo Credit: Martin Fisch/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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