https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVbFNuvV1Kk
will.i.am and the Importance of Education
“In 2001, me and the Black Eyed Peas recorded a song called “Where’s the Love?” And in 2016, we revisited that song and aimed it at the times. It’s important that we pay attention to what’s going on in society, and it’s very important that we pay attention to what’s not happening in communities. In particular, lack of education — a lack of investing in a child’s education. One might think, “Why is that important?” Well, I come from one of those communities in Boyle Heights in Los Angeles.
If I wasn’t bussed out across town to Brentwood Science Magnet School, I would still be in the projects. More importantly, the projects — not physically, but here. I wouldn’t have known the difference. Poor is poor in the hood. You don’t know what rich is until you go outside. When I say rich, I’m not talking rich, like money. I’m talking rich here. So education is — it’s a broad — it’s not just what they’re teaching you to learn. School teaches you how to learn. Learn about yourself, learn about how you contribute, learn about what you mean in the world.
I think areas like Watts should be building the next Whatsapp. I think people in Compton should be building the next Facebook. Why not? The only way that’s going to happen is if we pay attention to it, and contribute what little we can.”