Young kids who are out there who are upset and angry, they can

Host: The room feels calm, the evening light casting gentle shadows across the floor as the world outside slows. Inside, the atmosphere feels almost like a moment of reflection, as though the conversation is about to delve into something meaningful. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her mug, her gaze distant. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, watching the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, but filled with curiosity) “You ever think about the power of expression? How we often think we need to respond to frustration or anger with the same intensity, but there’s a quieter, more thoughtful way to make our voices heard?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Expressing frustration? Yeah, it’s easy to get caught up in anger or rage, especially when we feel like no one’s listening. But what are you thinking about? You mean using something like art or words to channel that energy?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Okieriete Onaodowan said: ‘Young kids who are out there who are upset and angry, they can watch this and realize that you can speak out through your pen and not just with rage and anger, and challenge the people who are telling you things that you don’t like to hear, like 'Hamilton' did.’ It made me think about how powerful it is to challenge systems, not just with anger, but through creativity and expression.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that young people, especially those who feel frustrated or unheard, can use their voices—through writing, art, or performance—to express themselves and make change? That they don’t have to resort to anger and violence to be heard?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Onaodowan is talking about the power of words, music, and art to challenge the status quo, much like 'Hamilton' did. In the musical, the characters fought back against the systems they disagreed with—not through rage, but through their words, their stories, and their actions. The message is that you can channel your anger into something creative and impactful, and that’s what helps create change.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, a quiet but powerful realization about how creativity can be a tool for resistance and change. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he reflects on the power of nonviolent expression in the face of frustration. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels rooted in something deeper about art, expression, and the ability to challenge systems.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. Instead of letting anger consume us, we can use it to fuel something positive, something that speaks to others and makes them listen. Using creativity to challenge power is powerful because it’s constructive, not destructive.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. Art and expression have the power to reach people in ways that pure anger can’t. Creativity can open hearts and minds, and it can challenge ideas without causing harm. When you speak through your art, you’re inviting others to think, to reflect, and to join in your cause.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming as he reflects on the idea) “It’s powerful, isn’t it? How we can fight back, not with rage, but with something that speaks to the core of who we are. When we turn our frustrations into something creative, it becomes a force for change, not just noise.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with conviction) “Exactly. When we use creativity to express our anger, to challenge the status quo, we create something lasting. We make people listen, and we make them think. That’s the kind of change that can really have an impact.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, the weight of their conversation shifting into something empowering and constructive. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the power of creativity to make a difference. Jeeny watches him, content in the knowledge that using art and expression to channel frustration and anger can be a powerful force for positive change. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared recognition that creative expression is one of the most powerful tools we have to challenge injustice and create meaningful change.