‘BRO, LISTEN TO THE KIDS!’ The recent MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) held in the US were truly something to behold.
Much has been said about them, which I do not need to repeat.
But the standout moment for me was when Kanye West (a.k.a Yeezy) – who was awarded the most prestigious award of the evening – gave his acceptance speech.
The speech, like most Yeezy discourses was: lengthy, it made a statement and one we will not easily forget.
Apart from announcing his intention to run for office in 2020 and ‘almost’ apologising to Taylor Swift, Yeezy took some time to acknowledge ‘The kids’.
After receiving the award from Taylor, Yeezy spent a few minutes basking in the applause, mostly from those who were right below the platform (presumably the VIP section). He didn’t begin his address for a while as the applause continued.
But when he eventually started, he opened with: “Bro, bro, listen to the Kids!” This led to even more applause!
I must confess, I found it funny and enjoyed his speech/rant or whatever you choose to label it.
Because I love Kanye West (there I said it). He always forces me to ‘think’.
‘Listen to the kids!’
I pondered on that line.
Kanye was obviously making a statement: “A lot has been said about me and my actions and whether you approve or not, these people here, today, have something to say, so let’s acknowledge them. Let’s take a moment to hear their side of the story”.
He may have a point.
How often do we do things or prescribe stuff for others to do, without taking a moment to STOP and LISTEN to what ‘the kids’ have to say.
How often do you and I run into our worlds and circles of influence carrying a ‘you must do this’ or ‘you need to behave this way’ card, before we hear them out.
Because the truth is they often have something to say that is a true reflection of where they are and what they really want and need!
I am not condoning everything Kanye does but there is something to be learnt.
Jesus is the perfect example; in fact, he started the ‘Listen to the kids’ movement.
In every account we read about Jesus, he takes time to listen and only after does he look to heal, raise to life, feed and rescue people in need.
He is the perfect example of what it means to truly ‘hear’ those around us.
And I will be the first to admit that I don’t do enough listening in every area of my life: work, church, relationships, friendships etc.
Maybe the best way to show people they matter and point them to the cross is when we listen.
A lot of people we encounter don’t struggle with finding solutions, they struggle to be heard.
Listen to the kids!