P. Miller, also known in the rap world as Master P, visited kids at the Save Our Kids youth function in Southern California recently, speaking to both youth and their parents about issues plaguing the inner-city communities.

During the visit, he discussed the increasing number of youth deaths, incarcerations, gang violence and the lack of education.

The first question asked by one of the teens, "Why so many rappers and pro-athletes make it out and don't come back to help the hood?"

Below was P. Miller's response:

We have to take care of the hood ourselves and stop waiting for some celebrity or pro-athlete to come back and save us. I made it out. If one of you make it out, it's important for you not to forget where you came from and always come back to help the next generation. That's the reason that I'm here today because I really care about inspiring the next generation. I want to see more of our youth be successful, educated, stay out of jail, and live longer.

First of all, we have to stop being angry, blaming others or the system for our situation and things we can't control. Just the other day, I bought 20K worth of Nintendo Wii games for underprivileged kids. I told the manager at the store, what we were buying it for and he still wouldn't give us a discount. I could have gotten upset, but it wouldn't have benefited anyone. Let's stop being angry at things we can't control.

If we believe in God, be thankful for what we do have, just do our part by doing what we can, we'll be alright. A promoter offered me 500K to host a party promoting an alcoholic beverage. I told him that I don't drink. I looked him in the eye and asked if his company would make a donation of 50K to underprivileged kids for the holiday or buy gifts for them. I even invited him to come to some of our events to meet some of the people that are probably buying his product. I told him that our organization's mission is to reach at least one million underprivileged kids for the holidays. I explained that he could show them that he was responsible and that he is doing something good too. But, when he realized that I was not going to promote his alcoholic beverage, he told me that helping underprivileged kids wasn't in the budget. I didn't get angry. It just made me realize that the hood is not in the budget. There's no stimulus plan for us.

Just the other day, I received a letter from a foundation in Chicago that is located in the hood and they're actually hands-on in some of the highest crime communities. Their program keeps kids off the streets, out of gangs, teaching them how to be responsible and expressing the importance of education. Due to the economy, they can't afford to pay their employees or the rent for their facilities. I received the same kind of letters from other foundations and churches in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Houston. These organizations are needed in the community and are about to get shut down due to lack of funding. And they are waiting for a miracle, government funding, or for some big time celebrity or pro-athlete to write them a big check. You will most likely read about celebrities "making it rain in the club" than giving back to the community.

If we really want to take care of the hood, we've got to start with us. If each one of us, one person, gave at least one dollar to our community, we could make a real difference ... together, starting in our own community. We could save churches and organizations that help the community. We could also educate our kids, feed the homeless, and take care of the elderly, if we work together.

In October, Miller announced his participation in a program called One Million Gifts, where the former rapper-turned-philanthropist plans to clothe at least one million people throughout the holiday season.

The stop in California is just one of many stops around the country for Miller to reach his goal.

"Our mission is to bring hope to families by offering programs that help educate and rehabilitate families back into society," P said of the One Million Gifts organization. "My personal goal is to get everybody involved. Even with the current downfall of the economy, each one of us can help make a difference by volunteering or donating."

The organization's motto is: "Join the movement, ordinary people doing extraordinary things."

For more information or to donate, visit OneMillionGifts.org.

Source: BallerStatus


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