Youth – Page 3 – J.T. the L.A. Storyteller

How to Beat Summer 2019: Part III

June 22, 2019July 9, 2020 J.T.2 Comments

Alright, so you made it past How to Beat Summer 2019 Parts I & II and are now nearing the finish line. However, if you think the third and final part of this series will be easier because you’ve gotten through the first two lists, you’re in for a surprise.

1. START YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR ENTERPRISE. To some, this may sound “too far advanced,” but it can be done in so many ways that it’s actually much easier than it appears. You can start a band, or you can start a rap career. You can start painting, illustrating or photographing the world you live in, or you can start making delicious soup out of it; you can start on your path to becoming a motivational speaker, or you can start on your destiny as a fashion designer. But first, you need to start by getting organized, which is where your outline comes in. Depending on your choice, your outline will answer one of the following questions from this list:

I. What will your podcast talk about to make it unique?
II. How will your raps set you apart from the competition?
III. What will your paintings show about the importance of self-expression?
IV. What will your photo or drawing capture that the world needs to see?
V. What will the name of your soup kitchen be?
VI. What will your motivational speech sound like? Or, who will your ‘target audience’ be? (E.G. Youth, undocumented, queer communities, etc.)
VII. Who will your fashion design be for? (Same as above)

Your business can also be an idea from outside the list, but check with me first about it. No matter what the idea though, you’re going to need an outline explaining the mission of your business. For any questions on your outline, I’m just around the block.

2. RECORD YOUR FIRST PODCAST FOR YOUR BIZ. UPLOAD IT TO SOUNDCLOUD. HIT PUBLISH. Here, you’re not only going to create your own original content, but you’re also going to build a platform to showcase it like a pro. But wait, I can hear the doubts trickling in already: What are you going to record? Or, what if you record, but people think your podcast is silly? Or what if no one stops by to listen? These are the kinds of questions that many creators ask before starting something new, but the fact is that such questions just get in your way; they’re based on fear, not reality, and this is because we all have the ability to be creative in our unique way that others can learn from. Moreover, what you should really be concerned about is how if you’re not taking advantage of how quickly you can make your own podcast in 2019, that’s a way bigger loss than someone thinking your recordings are silly. And. Here’s. The. Best. Part:

This Summer 2019, if you’re up for this challenge on our list, I will show you how to make your own podcast. Wait, did someone say challenge? Like our Hat Challenge, or our New Hoodie Challenge? Yes, indeed, Youngs!

3. COMPLETE BOTH ITEMS ON THIS LIST TO WIN THE FIRST EVER BLACK & WHITE HOODIE BY J.T. That’s right. If you choose to start your rap career this Summer 2019, you’re not only going to write and record your verse, but you’re going to record your own podcast telling people more about your rap. The first step to building your podcast will be an outline. If you choose to start a soup kitchen, you’ll record a podcast describing your kitchen’s menu with details like how I’ve done with these posts.

To make things more interesting, you’ll also be choosing a pseudonym, or a mysterious online name specifically for this project, which in actuality is how a lot of the internet used to be, since a lot us were shy about our work when we were just starting out! Complete these steps, and I assure you that you’ll be the first student to ever WIN the First Black & White Hoodie by Jimbo Times.

SO, are you entering the challenge? Then get a MOVE ON! For all yours questions, try the new contact form to reach me. I can’t wait to see all your ideas!

J.T.

How to Beat Summer 2019: Part I

June 16, 2019June 22, 2019 J.T.2 Comments

Okay, so you’re (finally) done with school and can’t wait to enjoy the summer shine in L.A. but you don’t quite know how to get started. Moreover, it seems like all these other kids have somewhere to go while you’re just sitting at home watching IGTV re-runs on your couch.

I’ve been there. It’s tough when your routine suddenly vanishes like the spammers on Instagram who follow just to unfollow, but here are the first three steps you can take on the very first day of your summer break to create an amazing time by yourself right away.

1. EXERCISE (yes, not kidding). This does not require WiFi, any long distances, or even that much time, frankly. The fact of the matter is that your body’s health totally affects your state of mind, which means that if you’re just sitting around at home all day, you’re more than likely going to get grumpy. Grumpy kids lead to awkward vibes, and awkward vibes are not at all what you’re looking to get the most of during your break.

So, does this mean you have to suddenly drop everything and sign up for the Olympics? It does not. All it means is that you need to STRETCH OUT your body in order to feel more relaxed throughout the day. You can do this on the very first day of your summer break in multiple ways, including the following:

I. 25 push-ups (or an amount more proportionate to your ability)
II. 25 jumping-jacks (same as above)
III. 1 Mile of light jogging (same as above)

I promise that if you can do any one or a combination of these at least three times a week, you will instantly feel better about nearly everything else in mind.

2. FIND A BOOK. TURN TO THE FIRST PAGE. READ THAT MF. Now let’s be honest, I know that flipping through the pages of a textbook doesn’t prove as IG-worthy as a trip to Magic Mountain or your best friend’s cousin’s quinceñeara, but I’ll explain how it’s just as good, if not better. Let’s be clear about this too: it’s true that when you’re assigned books at school and are required to read them, it can take a lot of the fun out of the reading experience. But this does NOT mean that reading overall isn’t an enjoyable, enriching activity for your mind. It just means that you’ve got to take reading at your own pace is all. Consider three key benefits you’ll gain from channeling your inner-reader this summer season:

I. You’ll improve your vocabulary, which is just better for everyone, including those of us who want to rap, those of us who want to go out on dates to drop a great one-liner or two, and those of us who simply want to better explain to others why they can’t tell ’em nothin’.

II. You’ll get away from home, even if you’re just home. This is especially important when you’re not really trying to go out to anywhere in particular but still want to get away from the predicaments of home. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: your phone is the best way to get your distance, but consider this: your phone is a warm and tired object that rarely let’s you focus on just one thing. Over the summer, it’s going to need a break from you and vice versa. A book, on the other hand, is literally cooler since it doesn’t require batteries, and is much easier to focus on as it entails just you and the author on an adventure. The latter will not fail you. Trust me.

III. You’ll grow to see yourself in more of the world out there. Again, let’s be honest: your IG is filled with people who are like you but also not. In the throes of being similar to others you’ll inevitably compare yourself to others. But what if you’re really just comparing yourself to an idea you have about someone else based on appearances instead of reality? Don’t overthink it, though; Just consider this: reading allows you to relate to other characters and personalities out there in a way that doesn’t require you to compare yourself to them. This, my friends, is an extremely useful skill that you’ll appreciate being familiar with over the course of many lifetimes.

For a few favorite books by yours truly to get you started, consider Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, or even–if you think you’re tough enough–Alex Haley’s Autobiography of Malcolm X. You can also check out my BOOKS section on the site for more recommendations, which I’ll be adding more reviews to this summer (because of course I’m going to follow my own list).

3. SUBSCRIBE TO JIMBO TIMES FOR MORE COOL STUFF. By far the easiest thing to do on this list is to make sure you’re in touch for all the latest updates with The L.A. Storyteller. There will be more poems, stories, contests for Los Cuentos, and a world of other stuff in the making through the site. Subscribing will also guarantee that you don’t miss How to Beat Summer 2019: Part II. So, what are you waiting for? Find the subscription button on the bottom section of this column and DO IT ALREADY! And if you’ve already done that, tell a friend! Or FIVE. This is not a drill.

J.T.

Schoool (For the students of Los Angeles)

June 3, 2019April 30, 2022 J.T.1 Comment

A little remix of 21 Savage’s billboard-topping ‘a lot’ by yours truly for the students of Los Angeles. Listen to the instrumental while using these substitute lyrics:

“How much homework you got? (straight up)
How much homework you got? (straight up)
How much homework you got? (straight up)
How much homework you got?

How many homeworks you got (a lot)
How many quizzes you got? (a lot)
How many teachers done doubted you? (a lot)
Kicked you out the class? (a lot)
How many lessons you lost? (a lot)
How many field trips it cost? (a lot)
How many laughs did you caught? (a lot)
How many admins you shock? (a lot)
How many times did you try? (a lot)
How many times was it pride? (a lot)
How many times you cold feet? (a lot)
How many times did you sigh? (a lot)
How many times your hope grieve? (a lot)
How many times did it cry? (a lot)
How many chances rap done gave you? (a lot)
Thuggin’ round words like poets (a lot)

Every day that I exist, I’ma side with the kids
I’d rather be paid their thoughts than collect like Trix
Told my students take my cred if my speech starts to cringe
But I’m J.T. forev ain’t no way I’ma flinch

We give these schools they ground, we give these schools they ground
We give these schools they ground, we give these schools they ground
We give these schools they ground, we give these schools they ground
We give these schools they ground, we make L.A. go ’round.

Huge potential outcomes if you state a couple facts
Your dream so bold you could put it in your cap
Fam vs the world, me and moms, it was us
Then school sent me to da station and they really held me up

My father split lives so he wouldn’t be my teach
My brothers popped ice and it fell ’em to the streets
I been through the court but it turned me to J.T.
Now the other side is sunny, I get paid these thoughts on sheets

How many homeworks you got (a lot)
How many quizzes you got? (a lot)
How many teachers done doubted you? (a lot)
Kicked you out the class? (a lot)
How many lessons you lost? (a lot)
How many field trips it cost? (a lot)
How many laughs did you caught? (a lot)
How many admins you shock? (a lot)
How many times did you try? (a lot)
How many times was it pride? (a lot)
How many times you cold feet? (a lot)
How many times did you sigh? (a lot)
How many times your hope grieve? (a lot)
How many times did it cry? (a lot)
How many chances rap done gave you? (a lot)
Thuggin’ round words like poets (a lot)

How many sent to the deans’?
For throwin ‘ they shots like vaccines
I can see behind the phones and filters
Egos ain’t big as they seem

Intersects like a string
Everybody got they thing
Some students make dean’s list, other students make lean
I’m gon’ reflect on the scene
I’m not gon’ choke, I’ma free ‘em

I don’t wan hear your concerns
This ain’t no parent-square but I’ma care
When they dragging kids down for expressin’ they heritage
U know kids can learn from rap battlin’ and culture

I guess you were hoping the rules would just tame they true selves
But these bars flowin ‘ college of self

OK, I got it, we’ll show up on everyone’s algorithm
You know what bro Malcolm would preach

Bettin’ a thousan

It’s got to the point that these schools ain’t even always the safest to be
F*** it cause that’s where this Los Cuentos fashion just hit me
It led me to save kids a spot, on a new remix to drop
Shout out to “a lot, ” I polish the hook and I jot

Pray for our schools cause they robbed like Iraq
I picture the slaves on the fields pickin’ cot
Respecc how they made it past all em cops
Risking no less than they death if they caught

I pray for the students who think they should cut
Just want you to know your lives matter, my kiddos
If I never met you, still know that you special
And that the world needs you, don’t doubt it, for reala

All the real teachers, stay solid, amigos
I’m only tellin’ it just how I felt it

I saw this parent look lost and abandoned
When told that her kid goin ‘nowhere by standin’ out, I got amends

It’s said that ur grades all about ur success, jot this dissent
Flow on a mission reflectin’ how goals at our schools got be bigger
Before we relent, reala

J.T.

Two Sides of Wonder (An 8th Grade Student’s Poem on Being)

May 31, 2019June 14, 2021 J.T.Leave a comment

U sit and wonder in class,
U sit in wonder at home,
I wonder why,
Why do I wonder,
Why do u wonder?

But isn’t it all wonderful
When we wonder
About being wonderful,

Or when we wonder about
What makes us wonder.

I wonder why, actually
I wonder why we wonder,
And what we wonder.

I wonder about my lady
Who’s got me bubbling lately,
Says my side is where she stay
But what happens when u drift away.

Look back at my pops, wonder where he’s at all day,
No kap, I’m just a young Black teen
Who wants to grow up and pursue his dreams.

A young visionary who wants to make sure
It’s always food in mom’s fridge,

Who wants to rise, uplift his friends,
Get bands, and count up the dividends.