Our Turn by Alphabet Rockers
Maya F.
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My song “Our Turn” started as a simple question to myself: “Who do I want this song to be for and about”? As I thought this over, something was blocking my answer. I realized I was focusing too much on what everyone else wanted to hear and not enough on what I needed to hear. Once I switched the narrative, I found the answer. I wanted the song to be for the youth, and I wanted the song to be about what they/we have been through. As this writing process was during the pandemic, I felt very overwhelmed. Sitting in the house without the distraction of moving around in the world, I became more sensitive to what was on the news, like the murder of George Floyd. It all made me very sad, scared, and angry. When I asked my parents, teachers, and other adults about everything going on, they downplayed most of it and encouraged me to focus on school. I was unsatisfied with the answers. I felt ignored. I wanted to be in the important conversations instead of having the adults in my life sugarcoat and downplay everything. If I was having these thoughts, I knew my friends, classmates, and other youth my age were probably having similar thoughts. So, I began to write it all down. I was grateful that my family and the other members of the Alphabet Rockers were by my side to lift me up and let me shine. Most importantly, they provided a safe space for me to express my true feelings. My family and I were able to come together and talk about the song lyrics and my feelings, and I loved that. I want the music I create to help adults better understand my generation, our hopes, fears, frustrations, and dreams. I also want my music to help foster multigenerational conversations within families.
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My creative expression is my outlet. Whenever I feel sad, mad, happy, or confused, I write a song, make a dance, or act out a monologue. Creativity keeps me grounded and confident when the world seems crazy. Speaking my mind, I help others who feel like they have no outlet.
