Savannah Bennett

The speaker and her niece discuss various topics, including the changes from the past to the present, the influence of social media, the impact of drugs on the community, and the importance of investing in the youth. They emphasize the need for guidance, love, and support for young people, and express a desire to rebuild and bring hope back to their city. They also discuss their personal experiences working with children and the power of making a positive impact. The conversation ends with a reflection on the importance of knowing one's purpose and being an example to others. So I'm here with my niece, Savannah, there. So we all here, we just having a conversation. So I said, well, let's talk about it then. So she was saying that she went to this event where we had different organizations come. And we just throw out a topic, we engage in and question it. So a few of the questions were following, like, growing up from then in the past to now, the changes, listening to your peers, your higher-ups. Yeah. Like, how it is now, then listening to them back then, the difference in that. It's a huge difference, isn't it? Huge difference. And you start realizing, they don't tell you early in the year, because guarantee you, you're going to follow up on it, come as you're older. And I definitely have. Definitely have. And you have to learn. You will learn from it. You've got to learn. Some people don't now. They won't until they realize when it comes at you, it's going to come at you. It's coming. One way or the other, it's coming. It's coming. It comes around, goes around, however it goes, it's going to come, regardless. Now, you grew up here in Warren, right? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Now, how was your experience of Warren when you were out here, little teeny bopper? See, I was a kid, so I didn't know how to do with the kid thing. Okay. And I love that. And I started out with it, riding on the bike until street life came up. Yeah. And I had a Barbie doll. There was no social media. It wasn't. Poppin'. Yeah. That's where a lot of our problems lie. That's where it all lies. That's a lot. I was having a conversation with somebody earlier, and they took it all the way back to the 50s and 60s, right, and how it was none of that going on. No drugs, no nothing. People weren't shooting at each other. They were, you know, into it. It wasn't a war, David. You know, it's always something. It wasn't none of that until they dropped the drugs into the city. And so it started with drugs. And once that hit, you know, that was a whole nother ballgame. Like, this is something the city never seen before. It never experienced. He took it all the way back, yo. And it just made me see things even more different than I did before, because I'm like, because when we moved here from Cleveland, you know, I was only five years old, but I remember, like, I loved here. Like, it was just a peaceful place, and it was so different from Cleveland. It wasn't fast-paced. It was slow. Like, and I'm five years old, and as I'm talking now, I'm realizing I understood that this is where we needed to be. You always going to find where home is. Listen, it felt like home. It felt like home. It felt like home, you just be at home. Yeah, but today, like you said, with the drugs, the social media. There's no, it's like when we say social, you know, like during my age, What is your age group? We range from 20 to 25. Okay, okay, okay. Like, I notice it a lot, especially, like, being on a campus when you make friends. Yeah, you can have your friends or lifelong friends, but then you go off and meet the ones that just only want to kick it with you. Because they're in it to win it. You're a people person, but that's like a cult to them, basically. Because of who you are. Who you are. Yeah. Wow. But the social media, when that come into play, like, it's, what is your thoughts about what social media did to this day and age? Girl, because it's a lot, right? It really is a lot. Like, now I try to limit myself as well. I go on just to, you know, really get a good laugh. But I think people just take it way too serious as well. But a lot of people don't watch how they word what they're trying to say. Yeah. Or sometimes they mean it legitimately, but never want to come into face with any words being spoken to them. And I feel like it gives it too much public attention. And it's giving people too much power over you. Too much power over you. Too much access. There's too much access to your life and what you're dealing with and what you're going through. And it's everybody's business, but it ain't nobody's business. It ain't nobody's business. And I don't think that that's what it was meant for, but that's what it came into. So, because in war, it's so small. Everybody know everybody. As soon as you see something on social media, it's everybody's business. It is. So, it's a lot different than it was when you were growing up because we didn't have all. It wasn't even an issue. I remember not even having a cell phone at a point. We had pagers. Beat me. Hit me on the head. Yeah. Times have changed a lot. So, what do you think in those conversations, what kind of things did they come up with that we can do to change some of the things that's going on in the city? I know it's very hard to be interactive with the city or just in any organization or group, but it's all about giving everything a shot. Give it a shot, but not everything. You know it's beneficial. Here it's beneficial. Listen to it. Study it. Ask questions is the main purpose. Learn, basically. That's what you're going to do when you ask questions. You're going to learn. Yeah. Take it in. It's okay to ask questions. And you worked with the youth, too. I did. I totally enjoyed it, but, you know, when things just have to come to a certain point, you've got to follow what you feel like is best for you. But your time with them, you saw a lot and you heard a lot. It was fun. I never really thought I would be working with any kids, but I've never really felt like I wanted to be like, Oh, my kids, I want to be around my kids. I've never been that type. But it's like, kids are so fun to be around. They bring life. They bring life. They have energy. Yeah. Energy. And it rubs off. It brings it to you. Yeah. It rubs off right on you. Yeah. Where are you going, Beth? Where are you going? I'm happy. And you learn something in those words. You do. They do teach you. Oh, wow. It reminds me. So what was the name of the place you worked? Inspiring Minds. I need to go up there. I need some introductions. But I want to get involved more with the youth. Youth, yes. Yes. So what's their age group? I think they range from third to high school. Okay. I was working with third through sixth grade. Okay. So that's a wide range. Very wide range. I know they would like to expand more of it, too, as well. Definitely a very good program. And that's what we need in this city, more of that. Yes. And this is one of my goals. That's one of my goals, to bring something for the youth. Something that, because this is where they are our future. You guys are the future. So if we don't feed y'all the wisdom that is inside of us, imagine that. That's why it's going the way it's going. People are not taking enough time, and then they took everything away. Like they take everything that they like to do, they burn it down, they shut it down, and then they wonder why they end up in the system. It is. But you see it a lot around here, right? They're quick to lock you up. But the more we spend time with them, the more we, you know, nurture them and love on them. Because a lot of them kids probably didn't get love, that love at home. That's why they were there in the first place. And I know you saw a lot of that. Very sad. But it's like you have that one, you should come in, and it's like they get this ball of brightness that comes back. It's what you left on, it's what you bring, too. It's very powerful, really. It really is. You got the ones, you know, barely got friends or got something going on. And then when you leave that impact on them from day one. Yeah. You see a whole change in them. And that is exactly the point. And it starts with us putting down what we think. And what only what we need and what we desire and put some more focus on these babies that's coming up, these young people that's coming up. Now, they need that. They need more of that. They need the guidance. They need the love. They need that support. They need to know that people care. Somebody cares. And that's what brings it on. And that's what you were put there for. No, I really enjoy it. Because of what's inside of you. You understand what I'm saying? Mm-hmm. Just take one shot. I believe your next move is to start teaching the youth how to dance, and you're going to be there to do that. That's coming. We're working for it. Yes, totally. Hello? Oh, are you reading? Your head hurts? Girl, let me tell you something. So, you don't want your hair done? It's the comb. Okay. You want me to get you a different comb? Yes. It is a little pointy. Okay. Got to get them parts, girl. No. That's all perfect. Thank you. Uh-huh. A better comb. Okay. Building communities, building the community. Basically, it's showing them another way. So, back to the story of Warren, Ohio. And what we can do to shift the narrative of this place and to bring hope and peace back to it and to rebuild it. What is our part? What part do we play? We've got to be the role. Okay. Everybody has a role. Feel it. Feel it. Feel it. Feel it. We've got to play our position. Our position, what God has assigned us to do. That's the part we need to get them to focus on more. Yes. And not selfish desires. Not being selfish or... Or to stay stuck in their pain. Yes. Yeah. Sometimes I do say it is okay to have some selfishness when it comes to... Yeah. Certain circumstances. But... Because you have to choose yourself. Yes. At some point. Yes. But what I recognize about me and I hear a lot, my life is not my own. I was put here to be a help. I was put here to pour into people. I was put here, you know, I'm learning who I am. I'm learning my purpose. So, my thing is, when we know who we are, we can teach them who they are. Or teach them to find out how to get there to that point. To where they know who they are. Like, we are the example. Yeah. Yeah. So, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. I like the conversation. I love that because it's so important that we get out here. And it's more to do. There's work that needs to be done. And we can stay all day. This is... I don't like it here. I'm tired of being here. And, you know, warned and went, you know, straight downhill. But what are we doing to... What are we doing to... Yeah. Bring it back. Get it out there. Yeah. To restore. You know, they tearing down all the houses. But they building up all these family dollars and dollar generals. With no grocery store. Like, and then the grocery stores that we do have. You know what I'm saying? All these fire shops. Oh, my goodness. Come on. Like, it be the unnecessary thing. What are we doing to rebuild? To bring it back to what... It's even greater than what it was. Because it can be so much... I just listen to the story of that young man. About his youth here. How they used to, you know, the police was on feet. Walking, you know what I'm saying? They were walking home if you out. Like, they cared. Yeah. The difference. Huge difference. And back then, it was, you had, prejudice was real. You know, the segregation was for real. Uh-huh. But I do. I thank you for taking the time. It's heavy. But we can do this again. Yeah. You know. Ain't nothing but a thing. But, yeah. This has been a pleasure. Savannah. Thank you. Thank you, my love. You know, because it's important. And we just need it. You know, because it's important. And we just need to be in position. And, yeah. And thank you for listening. Have a blessed night.