"Part 3: Read Carl Jeffrey Wright’s In Search of Heroes Interview and Become Inspired" by Ralph Zuranski
Click Here to visit Jeff Wright's Heroes Page
check out the links below to the Guardian Line Comics and Urban Ministries
www.TheGuardianLine.com
www.urbanministries.com
Ralph Zuranski: Don’t you think that sort of abuses African American people, where people that are in the general media and just people all around the world, they associate that type of evilness with black people?
Jeff Wright: Yeah, it is true and it does associate perhaps the most negative images that we have ever seen in media with black people whether it’s a foul-mouthed rapper or Little Kim demeaning women. All of that, of course, is not only a disservice to black people and in particular black youth but all youth in all society. We know that that’s not the reality of what black youth are about and what they look like.
Jeff Wright: We serve many, many young people through the resources that we create for the thousands of churches that use UMI curriculum and we’ve done the research. We can tell you that a far greater representation of African American young people are sitting up in Sunday school every week than are participating in any hip hop or rap video.
Jeff Wright: The unfortunate part about it is that major media entities that are promoting these negative images are painting a picture of African American young people, or just black young people generally and globally that is far different from what the reality is.
Jeff Wright: It’s something that African Americans are very, very concerned about. We joke and we say we want “raparations” because there has been such a tremendous exploitation of some of the most negative elements of our culture. Some of those have actually been created by media conglomerates to essentially create a picture that is just far from reality.
Jeff Wright: No one wants their child to grow up to be a girl starring in a booty video. No one.
Ralph Zuranski: Yeah, I understand that. That’s one of the reasons why I created the Heroes program, to shine the light on those people who are true heroes like yourself and Michael Davis that are making a positive difference in the world and are concerned about our youth coming up. Not just black youth, Asian youth or white youth, but all youth and to give them a good, positive message.
So I wanted to ask you a couple of these questions so people can really discern what real heroes are and what they believe.
Jeff, what do you want out of life in ten words or less?
Jeff Wright: I like to continue to have the opportunity to make a God-transforming difference in the world.
Ralph Zuranski: That is my belief also. What is the dream or vision that sets the course of your life?
Jeff Wright: As the CEO of UMI I have an unusual opportunity to create transforming messages, messages that are rooted in a Biblical worldview. We are trusted to teach the Bible in over 10,000 churches weekly and as leader of this organization I have an incredible responsibility to make sure that our content is Biblically sound, is technically accurate, is going to be empowering and cast a vision that can make a difference in the lives of many people.
Jeff Wright: My goal is to do that, not just in print media but also in open word, in music, as well as in visual media and we are striving to achieve that and to grow to a level of influence that will meet or exceed the influence currently being exerted by the big five media companies.
Jeff Wright: When the giant media companies took over hip hop and it became more violent and more misogynistic and irresponsible, their bottom line was money. Your and my bottom line is the betterment of our community and our world.