Peaches and Elections
Dear Diary,
For the first Diary entry on my personal blog, I want to travel back to a moment that truly changed my perception of the people that exist in the world around me. On Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, I attended the Young Democrats of Atlanta Blue Christmas Gala. My dear friends, Kaela Helms and Kayla Willis, would be in attendance due to their work in politics. I knew three things that spurred me to purchase my $50 general admissions ticket:
My Friends Would Be There
Ambassador Andrew Young Would Be There
21 Savage Would Be There
In middle and high school, living over seas, I heard some of 21’s big hits like “a lot,” “No Heart,” and “bank account”. I never really got into 21…until I did. With the release of Savage Mode II in 2020, I found myself attracted to his versatile flow, consistent use of motifs and themes like horror movies, and fun word play. Savage Mode II, produced by Metro Boomin’ and narrated by Morgan Freeman, introduced me to the artistic mind of 21 Savage and gave me a deeper appreciation of his music. I sifted through his discography, added more of his records to my playlists, and witnessed the admirable growth of 21 Savage as a musician, rapper, and artist.
So, fast-forward 3 years later and there I was, sitting in Atlanta City Hall, at the same time as the “I am > I was” visionary. There couldn’t have been more than 150 people in the room. Ambassador Andrew Young sounded like Dr. King recordings that I listened to in school as his deep voice swelled through the speakers with conviction riding on a slow, steady cadence that recalled a testimony of struggle and triumph. As the politicians accepted their awards and gave their speeches, I couldn’t help but notice there was a line of young Democrats wrapped around the table waiting for their turn to take a picture with 21 Savage.
Writer, advocate, and recipient of the Civic Leadership Award, Jaylen Black, quipped,
“21, you wrote your verse in ‘Peaches & Eggplants’ for me!”
which garnered appropriate and well-deserved laughter from the room (I’m sure everyone else’s mind was like, “She fine, she sexy, she cool,” because I was definitely singing that part in my head).
Now it was time for 21 to receive his honor. Commissioner Natalie Hall acknowledged 21’s political involvement, read the proclamation stating December 10 was declared by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to be “21 Savage Appreciate Day,” and bestowed him with the “Carry The Torch Award”. When the Grammy winner had his time to say his piece, the first virtue out of his lips and into the microphone were gratitude.
“First, I want to thank everybody for coming out and showing y’all support.
Shout out to my mama;
I love you.”
This night changed my perception of the people in the world around me because 21 Savage thanked his mother.
I was taken aback by his humility and relaxed demeanor. When he told his mom that he loves her in front of God and everyone, I felt an innate feeling of connection with someone I had only seen online and spent the last 3 years listening to through Spotify. He expressed how thankful he was for the opportunity, plugged his youth literacy program “Bank Account At Home,” and quickly wrapped up his speech- saying that he was shy and “shaking”. I knew 21 Savage was politically involved, but I never would have thought it was to the extent that it is. I would have never thought someone who writes the words he does would be nervous in such an intimate setting. I was nervous just being in the crowd. As I was taking pictures after the awards were given out, I was politely nudged out of the way by a videographer who was escorting 21 Savage out the door. He couldn’t have been more than 20 feet away with me. My one regret that night is not that I didn’t ask him for a picture, but it’s that I didn’t congratulate him for his prestigious accomplishments.
On my drive home and weeks to follow, I couldn’t help but think of my own life, the choices I’ve made, and the rooms I wanted to be in.
I had just graduated from Georgia Southern University with my B.A. of English and started my new full-time position as the Marketing Manger for a boutique, luxury real estate company. I wanted to attend this event because my friends were going and I thought it would be cool to see Andrew Young and 21 Savage in the flesh. I had no clue that it would open my eyes to the power of self-motivation and action. Both of these men were simply ideas to me. Seeing them in person, hearing them speak, and feeling the gratitude that exuded from both of them made them human to me. I understood that they held their positions of respect because of the lives they’ve led, the choices they’ve made, and the rooms they were in. Not because they were super-human or given extraordinary abilities. They are talented people who made a plan with intention, executed it, and achieved goals they set out for themselves. The idea that anybody can be somebody was cemented when I called my Grandmother to tell her about how I attended a Gala and that Ambassador Andrew Young was there. Thinking she would be blown away, she reminded me that we are all just mirrors of each other, saying,
“Andrew Young?
I know Andrew Young.
I worked for him and his wife for years”.
This experience has ultimately led me here- writing this Diary entry now. Although it may seem unorthodox to choose 21 Savage as my muse, I want to acknowledge that inspiration can come from anywhere and the means to be successful lie within my own discipline and action.
I’m excited to see what this Diary records next!
Thank You For Your Time,
Arria
