Young minority males combat stereotypes in music video: 'Suit & Tie in the 217'

theGRIO REPORT - Young, black men at Central High School in Champaign, Ill., are cunning, clever and cool - and they prove it all in a new music video that aims to combat the negative stereotypes often portrayed of minority males.

Lilly Workneh

Apr 16, 2014

Young, black men at Central High School in Champaign, Ill., are cunning, clever and cool – and they prove it all in a new music video that aims to combat the negative stereotypes often portrayed of minority males.

Students at the high school teamed up to produce an uplifting music video titled “Suit and Tie in the 217,” which highlights the promising potential of these successful students.

The young, men – all dressed in dapper attire – dance along to Justin Timberlake’s hit song “Suit and Tie” as inspiring messages are displayed on the screen, some which read: “We are not gangsters and thugs,” “We are employers and volunteers,” “We are scholars” and “We are athletes.”

“The negative stories told daily in the media and in our culture about our young African-American men tend to ignore their successes and don’t tell the full story about how young black men are becoming leaders within our community schools,” said Central School Social Worker and African-American Club Sponsor Tiffany Gholson, according to You Tube.

“In this video, our students reclaim the narrative of who they are and inspire other students to follow in their footsteps.”

Watch the video above and tell us your thoughts below.

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