You Betta Werk: Critique, Then Create

In the wake of the legendary Prince’s death, I needed some comedic relief. I shed tears at work, I watched Purple Rain twice, shed tears, I listened to Adore on repeat, shed tears- I was just a melodramatic ass mess y’all. After tears were shed I decided to listen to two of my favorite podcasts; The Read with Kid Fury and Crissles and The Friend Zone with Dustin Ross, Asante and Fran.

While both of these podcasts will have you on the floor, gut in pain from laughing, whilst tears running down your eyes, they incorporate life lessons, societal issues and politics with a dab of petty.

The most recent episode of the Friend Zone however motivated me and put things in perspective as a creative and I wanted to share the exact quotes that stuck with me, with my readers. Last week I practically vented about the “shitty advice” I constantly hear as a recent graduate and aspiring entrepreneur. If you are a creative yourself, I’m sure you’re used to receiving criticism, most times unconstructive criticism, from people who have never created as much as a Myspace layout but this isn’t for you this is for those who criticize.

Prior to starting my blog and documenting my journey, I was one of those annoying people who had everything to say about how bored I was with the blogosphere. I felt there were a lot of online influencers who only documented surface level things, the content was cute, great hair advice and fashion tips but I wanted to see someone real. I wanted to see someone say, “Hey, this is the bullshit I went through to get to this point all while looking fierce but I got through it.”

Fran of the Friendzone made a great statement for critics; “Instead of criticizing, let’s create. I created a brand and filled in what was missing.” *Lightbulb* I one day decided to stop getting disappointed when I’d come across a blog I thought only to find out, they literally ONLY talk about fashion, beauty, etc…it’s like Popeyes chicken without the skin, no flava. Instead of criticizing, I found my space and created. I decided to be the blogger that I wanted to see.

For instance, black creatives in Hollywood were disappointed for years, turning on the television and rarely seeing themselves depicted in a positive light or not being cast in featured films. Pioneers like Spike Lee, John Singleton and the Wayans brothers decided to change that and created the content they wanted to see. Because they saw that something was missing in entertainment and decided to be productive, instead of being petty, doors opened for writers such as Shonda Rhimes, Mara Brock Akil, Lee Daniels and more. Just being a critic accomplishes nothing, it’s the part where you create a solution to the issues you observe that can possibly change the world.

It’s easy to be a critic, you literally just observe other people’s hard work, find flaws and go about your business. As a critic, you don’t have to have the courage to put something out there knowing that it may be torn to shreds, so I challenge the critics to create. Beyond that, I challenge you entrepreneurial spirits to brainstorm and figure out what’s missing from the field you aspire to be in and then brainstorm what resources and talents you have that you can contribute to that space.

I hope this ‘You Betta Werk’ post was of some help to you.

And remember,don’t be petty, be productive; critique, then create.

You betta werk boo!

XoXo,

Mani