Rapper Common speaks at JW Marriott
Greatness was the Topic on February 22 at the JW Marriott downtown and the man that would answer was no other than Common. He was there to answer questions like “What is greatness?” and “How do you find greatness and how do you achieve greatness?” Sir Common as referred to by Rafael Sanchez the host of the event. Sanchez says that Common speaks to the youth in way that he has never seen before a way that gets their attention and keeps their eyes glued upon him as he fills them with knowledge. Common says that there is no greater nourishment than inspiration, and makes his mission for the night to inspire the youth. He begins his speech with freestyle using well known places in Indianapolis like Lafayette square, the far east side and “Haughville” and other places to connect with the crowd, and really let the inner city youth know that he is aware of their hardships.
Common then introduces his topic of talking about greatness at the end of the freestyle. Informing us on what greatness is how you find it and how you pursue it. He says that greatness is in each and every one of us. Then he gives us his definition of greatness. Greatness is using your girts at a great level to inspire others. He follows that up with a question Common asks the audience what they are willing to die for after a brief pause he says live for that.
Common says that in order to achieve greatness you have to find your purpose, believe in your purpose and finally live your purpose. Common added that when you find your purpose you will know it by instinct it’s your passion and what drives you and your work will be love made visible. That’s only the beginning of achieving greatness however because now you have to believe in your purpose and once you start living your purpose do not dim your light for anyone, because believing in yourself and your purpose is not diming your light for anyone. He says that belief is contagious and when you believe in yourself so much then others will start to believe. Finally he says that once you reach you purpose use it to serve others. He ended it with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. in which he says, “ Everyone can be great, because anyone can serve.”
