Interview with Keith G. Wright Reader Views is very excited to be talking with Keith G. Wright, author of “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke: Living A Courageous Childhood In An Unforgiving World.” Keith is speaking with Juanita Watson, Assistant Editor for Reader Views. Juanita: Hi Keith, thank you for talking with us today. Please tell us what readers can expect in your new book “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke”?
Juanita: You have written other books in the “Ain’t No Joke” Book Series? Tell us about this series of books. Keith: The series currently consists of three very powerful books based on the “Ain’t No Joke” Principles, “The Life Of Teenagers”, “The World Of Parents”, and “The World Of Women”. The book series is very much family-oriented and attempts to inspire teenagers to live courageously, empower parents to raise exceptional children, and honor women, who are more beautiful, intelligent and powerful than they realize. Juanita: What has inspired you to write “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke”? Keith: It’s a rough world for young people, more so today, because our youth are exposed daily to an insane amount of degradation. This generation and beyond are growing up with vulgar & profane lyrics, dangerously influential video games, sexual predators & pedophiles running unchecked, the media’s unfair standards on how they should look & dress, and an ever eroding education school system, all an seemingly acceptable part of mainstream America. We can’t afford to lose the potential of generation after generation… This book is my way of helping our young people understand & cope with what they are faced with… It is my attempt to inspire the people who will lead us into the future. Juanita: How did you come up with the content within “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke”? Keith: The content of this book is derived from my experiences growing up with a strong single mother, and also my experiences as a father & stepfather. And let me tell ya’… the life of a stepparent certainly ain’t no joke, either… but I’ve seen a lot and experienced a lot, so I wanted to bring that to this book. Juanita: What are some of the unique realities facing this generation of teenagers? Keith: Let me get straight to the point… What happened to the “Bleep Machine”? I mean, is anyone at the controls of the machine that bleeps out profanity in our mainstream lives? Is the “Bleep Machine” guy on vacation… did he get down-sized? But this is serious… this generation isn’t protected. We, this country & this world, do not treat our youth as our most treasured resource. Because of the Internet, we can’t seem to get a handle on sexual predators. We can’t seem to get a handle on vulgar lyrics in music. We can’t seem to get a handle on the pressure from the media’s images on young people. And we can’t seem to get a handle on our failing educational system… Our youth are left alone to fend for themselves it seems, in this unforgiving world. Juanita: Keith, the decline in prioritizing youth and our future generation really is an increasing problem with devastating effects. Why do you think it is being so neglected? Keith: I love this question, and it’s so difficult to answer. I mean, why do we do things that we know are harmful to us? Why do we smoke? Why do we drink & drive? Why do we eat things that are terribly unhealthy? Why do we not respect our environment? And why do we not protect our young people? We are all “looking out for #1”… seeking instant gratification, continually “going with the flow” of the world, with little or no attention paid to long term concerns… and our kids are swept away in that overwhelming current of apathy. Juanita: Keith, what are your thoughts regarding the general need for children to be accepted by their peers? How can teenagers, at such an impressionable time in their life, turn away from the ever-so-enticing images that are becoming so ingrained in youth culture? Keith: I felt the need of acceptance when I was a teenager, and I think it is indeed a natural instinct to feel like you belong and are accepted. And every generation has their own music, fashions and gadgets… but as parents we gotta’ point out the ridiculous. It is our jobs to point out the insane. And I think young people want to be enlightened. My oldest daughter wanted a tattoo when she was a teenager. First, It is up to us parents to help our kids maintain proper perspective. Secondly, and more to your point, teens need to be shown both side of the desired images. They often only see the appeal of glamour, but parents have to show them the harmful effects of a degrading lifestyle and eroding values. Juanita: The full title of your book is “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke: Living A Courageous Childhood In An Unforgiving World.” Do you think that courage is ultimately what is needed for teenagers to succeed in the world they find themselves in? Keith: It certainly takes courage to live outside the norm of society, and for teenagers, who already face so much peer pressure, it can be difficult to stand up against something even though they think it may be a bad thing. And these teens are young people, still developing in every way, not always sure of what’s right & what’s wrong, what’s good for them & what’s bad. It’s a lot to ask of them. But teenagers of every era were always ready to step outside the norm of society… Adults have to appreciate the opportunity we have to nurture & develop exceptional young people… we have to lead them. Juanita: Are teenagers themselves reading your book, or is this a book more for parents and teenagers to read together creating a dialogue? Keith: Great question! The real power of this book, “The Life Of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke” is that it is geared toward both parents & teenagers reading it, then coming together for an open dialogue… coming together for some real conversation. If parents want to talk to their kids, if parents want to understand their teenagers… this is the platform. Juanita: If you only could convey to a teenager a few of the most important truths, what would they be? Keith: Well, the very first “Teen Truth” in the book may be the most important of all, “No Joke Teen Truth #101: Nobody, absolutely nobody, will ever love you as much as your parents. Your parents will go to the end of the world to rescue you from danger. Your parents will spend their last penny to provide for you. Your parents will fight to the very end against anyone & anything that threatens to harm you”. When children understand it, they don’t have to fully understand it, but when they begin to understand it, then they can sit back & relax, knowing & trusting that they are in a safe place at home. “No Joke Teen Truth #253: The most successful teenagers have figured out that they were born to be great people, that they were born to make history, and that they were born to leave a legacy of their remarkable lives to the world.” Through my experiences, this I know is true: when young people feel, I mean really feel, that their lives matter, and that their lives can make a difference, then the lights of inspiration come on in their minds and these lights shine brightly in their hearts. Juanita: You are the President of the “Beyond Color Foundation.” Please tell us more about this foundation and its pursuits. Keith: The mission of Beyond Color Foundation is to recognize the beauty in our cultural differences, and implement ideas and strategies to bridging cultures & countries. We are currently developing a fellowship grant to capture these ideas of the many diverse and brilliant people throughout the country. It is our attempt to empower everyday people to live famous lives… Beyond race, beyond religion, beyond culture & beyond color. Juanita: I understand that you talk at junior and senior high schools about your book “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke.” Tell us about this experience; what are some of the biggest insights you’ve had due to this truly important service work? Keith: Here’s the biggest thing: many teenagers think they are going to be teenagers forever, and they go through their childhood like there’s no tomorrow… but tomorrow comes. When adulthood sneaks up on them, they find themselves unprepared, which leads me to “No Joke Teen Truth #519: No Joke Teens understand that you can’t turn around ANYTHING in the last few semesters of your senior year in high school… success is not that easy. It just doesn’t work that way”. What I’m finding when I speak to young teens, is that not enough lights have been turned on in their minds showing the vast amounts of opportunity that’s available to them. And that’s what I try to do… is to open up a new world of possibilities, a new world of what they can become. Juanita: Considering the teens you’ve talked with, what is the general understanding regarding entering adulthood and the ability to reach their goals, and the limiting beliefs held by teenagers? Keith: A couple of things… one, most of the teens I speak with do have some kind of idea about what adulthood is, and they do have goals of acquiring basic things, like cars, apartments, etc… also, many teens have an idea about what line of work they’d like to pursue. But, I don’t think enough teens have a higher vision on what they can do & become. As it was when I was a teenager, most teens certainly don’t know how to connect the dots from where they are now to where they want to be in the future, as far as the steps & the work that needs to be done. So, it is my attempt to bring about a higher consciousness for them, of the many things that are possible in their lives. Juanita: Keith, do you find most teenagers are receptive to your message? Keith: Most teens are very responsive. When I first show that I believe in them, that I believe they are special, that I believe they possess special qualities that even I don’t have… then they know that my words come from a good place, and that I’m trying push them to even greater heights than myself. Juanita: When you talk to teens, how do you convey to them your positive and enthusiastic message of the possibility that they too, can achieve the dreams they have for themselves? Keith: Wow, good question… it’s important for young people to understand that they all have within them the one thing that can “make their lives” whatever they dream of: the Human Spirit. “The human spirit has to be the most powerful force on this earth. The human spirit allows you to go where no one else has ever gone before, to places you’ve never even dreamed of. And the human spirit allows you to overcome unthinkable odds”. So, this is the foundation of all my discussions. I ask the question, “Are you human? Then you were born with it. From birth, you have within you, the ability to be all that you want to be in your life… and I believe you can ! “ Juanita: Tell us about the experience you had with your business endeavors that changed the direction of your life. What did this experience teach you? Keith: Because of the exposure and the role models my mother surrounded me with as a child, I grew up with a passion for business. And I was fortunate to have a good amount of business success very early in my adult life… and, I like to say, I was also fortunate to lose it all at a young age. At the height of my business success, I owned 12 multi-family apartment buildings, and operated 3 businesses. I credit my success to how my mother raised me and the many things she taught me. I credit my downfall to my greed & cockiness, and to me not understanding that I can’t be great at everything… to stick with the things I do best. I don’t mind talking about my failures. It’s both therapeutic and it reminds me of the many lessons I’ve learned over the years. I’m an open book for the world to see, and if I can help someone else, I will. Juanita: Your mother was a great inspiration in your life. Can you tell us more about her? Keith: My mother is an incredible woman. She was strict & demanding, yet very loving. The biggest thing I can say about my mother was that she lived her life as an example. She didn’t just tell me to read, she was reading all over the house. She didn’t just tell me that education was important, she taught school & I watched her study for her Master’s in Chicago and her Phd in Toledo. She didn’t just tell me to be “a leader not a follower”, I watched her relationships and her interaction with her own friends, and it was evident that she was respected, admired and a leader among her peers. My mother’s life was an example, and I decided early in life to follow it. Juanita: Give us a little insight into your other books and how can readers find out more about your and your endeavors? Keith: Right now, I’m extremely busy developing & expanding the “Ain’t No Joke” book series, similar to the “Chicken Soup For The Soul” series. I have a lot of neat ideas about bringing forth my life experiences in future titles. You can find me & “Ain’t No Joke Books at www.AintNoJoke.com. Also, in partnership with Beyond Color Foundation, we are planning a national book tour to begin late 2006/early 2007, so I’m looking forward to meeting many wonderful people, listening to their ideas, and sharing and supporting each other. Juanita: Keith, thank you for your inspiring and necessary book for teenagers. “The Life of Teenagers Ain’t No Joke: Living A Courageous Childhood In An Unforgiving World” is helping our precious youth believe in themselves, preparing them to enter into adulthood. Do you have any last thoughts for your readers? Keith: I have one key word; History. With your parents, take a quiet moment to find out how they lived in their childhood, and what your grandparents were like in their youth. Find out what events shaped their lives. And find out what it is that makes them great people. Then decide if you are a leader or a follower. It’s that simple. You have a great opportunity to make a difference in your own future. Think for yourself. No Joke Teen Truth #550: Dream big dreams. Set big goals for yourself. Do with your life something no one else has ever done before, something only you can uniquely do. Don’t let anybody tell you what you cannot do… you can accomplish anything, absolutely anything. And Let’s all try to find that “Bleep Machine” guy ! Thank You Very Much For Your Time ! Read Review of The Life of Teenagers Ain't No Joke |
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